Ukrainian pipe producer Interpipe will begin the cold testing of its new 1.32m tonnes/year electric steel making plant, Dneprostal, in October, the company's spokesperson tells Steel Business Briefing. Hot testing of the plant is due to begin in spring 2012, the spokesman confirms.
The company has been working on construction of the $700m steelworks since 2007. Once completed and reached its nameplate capacity some time in 2013, it will supply 90% of the billet and bloom required for the company’s seamless pipe and wheel production. This may be raised to 100% in a subsequent expansion, the spokesman adds.
