NLMK Clabecq, the leading Belgian producer of thin premium steel plates and a company of NLMK Group, has embarked on a 30 million euro project to upgrade its rolling mill, continuing to position itself as a key player in the thin-gauge steel plate market and in particular quenched and tempered steel plates.

NLMK has succeeded in implementing the first part of its transformation plan launched in 2019. Operational improvements re-affirm the target of focusing on thin gauge and high strength plus abrasion resistant plates. Despite the challenges of the current COVID crisis on the steel market, NLMK is going ahead with the roll out of its development plan. The investments will allow the production of very thin plate in high strength ranges with better tolerances while reducing gas consumption and CO2 output. The NLMK Clabecq thin gauge product range allows customers to design lighter solutions that reduce life-cycle CO2 footprints.

The revamping of the rolling mill includes the installation of a new descaling system with two new descalers and the modernization of the four stand finishing mill – a unique layout for plate producers.

The investments will enable the mill to continue to position itself as a key player in the thin-gauge steel market and provide customers with best-in-class surface, flatness and dimensional tolerances for the QUARD® and QUEND® range of products. The modernization of the descaling system and the revamping of the Finishing Mill will be concluded in late 2021.

Ben de Vos, VP International Operations for NLMK, said:

“These investments will strengthen the position of NLMK Clabecq by further enhancing our groundbreaking QUARD® and QUEND® product ranges. The project also reflects the confidence and commitment of the NLMK Group to develop continuously our products and our business, despite the current crisis. It will support our drive towards producing steel for a greener future and will enable customers to reduce their environmental footprint.”

About NLMK Clabecq

NLMK Clabecq is the leading Belgian producer of thin premium steel plates and a company of NLMK Group. Customers of NLMK Clabecq enjoy superior surface quality, ideal flatness and tight thickness tolerances of plates thanks to the plant’s extensive technical expertise coupled with a unique combination of equipment, including a reversible quarto mill and a continuous finishing mill with 4 independent stands, a state-of-the-art accelerated cooling system and a quenching and tempering unit (Q&T).

NLMK Clabecq is a major player in the niche markets of thin plates, abrasion resistant steels up to 550 HB (Quard®) and steels with very high yield strength up to 1100 MPa (Quend®) in thicknesses from 3.2 to 64 mm. These brands are especially popular with manufacturers of construction equipment and mining machinery. Equipment made with Quard® and Quend® is more fuel-efficient and durable thanks to lighter structure, more wear-resistant and stronger steel. For more information, please visit https://qt.nlmk.com/en/

About NLMK Group

NLMK Group is the largest steelmaker in Russia and one of the most efficient in the world.

NLMK Group’s steel products are used in various industries, from construction and machine building to the manufacturing of power-generation equipment and offshore wind turbines.

NLMK operates production facilities in Russia, Europe and the United States. The Company’s steel production capacity exceeds 17 million tonnes per year. NLMK has the most competitive cash cost among global manufacturers and one of the highest profitability levels in the industry.

For more information on NLMK Group, please visit our website.

For NLMK Group’s photos and corporate videos, please visit our media library.

About SOGEPA

SOGEPA is an investment fund that supports economic development of the Walloon region. SOGEPA contributes to the creation of sustainable businesses by investing in industrial projects and assets. The fund adheres to the best private investment practices, playing an active role in the strategic management of companies at the level of board of directors. Alongside private investors, SOGEPA is also a trusted partner of Walloon-based companies undergoing reorganization driven by a credible and sustainable economic and industrial project. SOGEPA is developing a wide range of solutions to this end: equity investments, loans, redeployment of former industrial sites, consulting, interim management.

 

Source: nlmk.com

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