NLMK develops supply to OMK

In 2012 NLMK Group and OMK set up a unique Russian hi-tech chain from mining of iron ore at Stoilensky; the production of steel slabs at NLMK’s Lipetsk site; to the manufacture of large-diameter pipes at VMZ.

Over many years of cooperation the companies have created a single technical council to improve their products and develop new grades of steel. The council held a regular meeting at VMZ on the 7-11th September to discuss joint operational efficiency and logistical improvement projects; as well as to map out plans for further cooperation.

Ilya Gushchin, NLMK Group Vice President for Sales, said: “NLMK Group has already supplied more than 2 million tonnes of steel for the large-diameter pipes used in strategically important projects such as ‘Power of Siberia’. This result of our partnership is not only an example of successful import replacement, but also of efficient and mutually beneficial cooperation with our client as part of a single process environment.”

Eduard Stepantsov, OMK Vice President, said: “Our strategic partnership with NLMK Group ensures the localization of supplies for VMZ’s production of large-diameter pipes that are used in the construction of the largest Russian and international oil pipelines. Working within a single ‘from ore to pipe’ production chain allows us to control quality across all process stages, meaning that we can improve the competitiveness of end products on both the internal and external markets.”

NLMK Group’s Lipetsk site continues to master technology for producing specialty steel with ultra-low sulphur (<0,002 %) and hydrogen (<0,002%) content, and a more accurate breakdown of the parameters of alloy elements and non-metallic inclusions. As a result, NLMK steel is ideal for the production of constructions that will operate in harsh environments under heavy loads, such as offshore wind turbines, deep-sea vessels and major pipelines.