NLMK Clabecq, the leading Belgian producer of thin premium steel plates and a company of NLMK Group, has embarked on a EUR 30 million 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 (Q&T) steel plates, the group informed.
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 statement notes.
Novolipetsk Steel is a leading Russian producer of high-value-added steel products. The plant accounts for about 18% of the total steel output in Russia and about 80% of all steel products of NLMK Group. The company's share in the domestic market of cold-rolled products is 27%, its share in the market of galvanized steel reaches 22%. In 2019, NLMK group signed a contract with Italy's Tenova for basic engineering and supply of the main process equipment for the construction of a fifth continuous hot-dip galvanizing line at the Lipetsk site. The new line will be used to make commercial quality galvanized products (required for construction and the manufacture of home appliances), cold-rolled IF steel products, as well as low-alloy, dual-phase and multiple-phase steel.
