wiredinUSA August 2018

Production move to Brazil

Baltic states to test desynchronization

Bekaert Group is to close its steel cord plant in Figline e Incisa Valdarno, Italy, and expand its joint venture in Brazil. A press release said that Bekaert has contacted the works council of the Figline site, the unions and authorities about the decision that will result in the loss of 318 jobs. The plant makes steel cord and bead wire for tires, wire for high pressure hoses and half-product wire for other steel cord plants. The release cited the significantly higher cost structure of the Italian plant, which it said “has not been able to generate a financially sustainable performance. ... The management regrets to implement this measure, but sees no other option to safeguard and strengthen its market share in the European rubber reinforcement markets.” A separate press release said that the management of Belgo Mineira Bekaert Artefatos de Arame Ltda (BMB) a 55.5/44.5 percent joint venturebetweenArcelorMittal and Bekaert that has three plants in Brazil plans to invest $33 million to expand its Itaúna plant in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The expansion, planned over three years, includes construction and infrastructure works and the installation of machines designed and assembled by Bekaert Engineering.

Photo by Nick de Partee on Unsplash

Baltic states will test their planned desynchronization from the Russian- Belarussian power system (BRELL) next year, with full synchronization of the Baltic power grids with Europe planned for 2025. Janis Patmalnieks, deputy state secretary of the economics ministry, described the grid integration with the European Union as a strategic priority of the bloc’s energy policy. The test will consist of disconnecting the Baltic power grid from the Russian and Belarussian energy system. During the test, all necessary power will be provided by the Baltic states themselves and from the DC connections with Sweden, Finland and Poland. The Baltic states will ensure power balancing and frequency regulation. OncethethreeBaltictransmissionoperators Lithuania’s Litgrid, Latvia’s Augstsprieguma Tikls and Estonia’s Elering – have agreed on the best scenario and date for the test, the terms of the test will be agreed with other concerned parties, including transmission operators of other countries and power producers. Augstsprieguma Tikls holds operational control of the transmission system and ensures its stable operation.

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wiredInUSA - August 2018