TPT March 2007

Industry News

Substantial investment at VVT-Vitkovice Valcovna Trub

VVT-Vitkovice Valcovna Trub, one of the largest Czech producers of thick-wall seamless steel tubes, has announced a major investment programme at its facility in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Costing millions of US dollars over three years, the project will involve the revamping and refurbishment of the company’s main production line.

The company is currently running two production lines – one producing tubes 60- 168mm, and an older ‘Big Mannesmann’ (BM) for the 168-406mm OD range. The refurbishment work on the BM is due to finish in July 2008. “The main benefits, beside the overall increase of capacity, will be in the improvement of the tube surface quality, accuracy, extending the variety of

fi Thecompanyoperates two tubeproduction lines, including the ‘BigMannesmann’ for 168-406mm OD

Current annual production capacity at VVT- Vitkovice Valcovna Trub is 105kt, of which almost 60 per cent is produced on the BM. Following the overhaul, the output is expected to increase by 18kt. This increase will mainly be for oil, gas and water tubes and pipelines. It will also include alloy steel tubes in higher alloy steel grades. The international market accounts for 70 per cent of the company’s total sales. VVT seamless steel tubes, hot rolled on the piercing mill using Mannesmann technology, offer unique mechanical properties. The products are used in machinery and the automotive industry, building and construction, power engineering, geology and chemical industry, pipelines/OCTG, and water well drilling. The company currently employs 800 people, and in Autumn 2005 became a member of the group of companies Trinecke Zelezarny – Moravia Steel. › The company’s investment will open the way for an increased production output, especially tube and pipe for OCTG and pipeline applications

production portfolio in steel grades as well as in the lengths, new possibilities of the non-destructive testing technologies or marking and binding of the finished tubes,” says the company CEO Mr Jaroslav Sarovsky.

Tubinox acquired by Viraj Group SC Tubinox SA, Romania, a manufacturer of both hot finished and cold finished austenitic stainless steel seamless pipes, has been acquired by the Viraj Group, India. The Viraj Group is a major manufacturer of stainless steel long products, with its own melting capabilities exceeding 200,000mt per year. The acquisition will result in Tubinox receiving a regular supply of stainless steel billets and rounds as raw material from the Viraj Group. This is likely to be a major advantage in a turbulent period for the stainless steel industry.

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A major modernisation programme has enabled Tubinox to manufacture products competitively and according to international standards. The company has installed state-of-the-art equipment and controls to ensure efficiency and manufacturing quality. Hot mill extrusion operations are expected to begin in April 2007. The

The acquisition will result in Tubinox receiving supplies of stainless

VVT-Vitkovice Valcovna Trub – Czech Republic

steel billets and rounds from the Viraj Group

Fax : +420 595 956 140 Email : info.vvt@vvt.cz Website : www.tube.cz

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www.tubefirst.com/ forum Connect with the industry online @:

production range of Tubinox will include bright annealed tubes, heat resistant tubes, tubes for machining, cold finished annealed and pickled tubes, and polished tubes. Outside diameters will range from 8mm to 114mm, with wall thicknesses from 1mm to 12mm. Tubinox plans to target sales to international markets, and intends to be a key player in this segment, especially in the emerging markets of northern Africa and middle east Asia, in addition to serving European and American markets.

SC Tubinox SA – Romania Fax : +40 21 256 00 80 Email : sales@tubinox.ro • Website : www.tubinox.ro

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