wiredInUSA April 2016

INDEX

Three-strand continuous billet caster from Primetals Technologies at the Bolzano plant site of Italian steel producer Acciaierie Valbruna Spa

Late March saw the start of work on the Tasman Global Access (TGA) undersea cable, expected to be ready for service by the end of 2016. Telecommunications companies Spark, Vodafone and Telstra are investing approximately $70 million to build the TGA cable, beginning at Raglan, to significantly improve New Zealand’s international broadband connectivity. Other benefits will include strengthened links into Asian markets, improved redundancy and resilience, and better connection with the five main international cable systems that currently serve Australia. Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (ASN) will lay the first cable between Ngarunui Beach at Raglan and Narrabeen Beach in Australia. Spark’s general manager wholesale and international, Lindsay Cowley, and Vodafone’s wholesale director, Steve Rieger, commented on behalf of the consortium: “The work in Raglan marks an exciting and important milestone on the journey to having the TGA cable ready to start carrying data across the Tasman towards the end of 2016.” Cable strengthens New Zealand’s links

Plant upgrade

Primetals Technologies has received an order from Italian steel producer Acciaierie Valbruna to modernize the three-strand continuous billet caster at its Bolzano site. On completion the plant will produce larger stainless steel and special alloy bars with cross-sections up to 180mm. The machine radius of the plant will also be increased from 7m to 9m, in preparation for even larger cross-sections after further modernization at a later date. Acciaierie Valbruna produces over 170,000 tonnes of special steels every year. The Bolzano production site specializes in stainless steel and special alloy rods with round and hexagonal cross-sections.

ASIA / AFRICA NEWS

wiredInUSA - April 2016

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