Novolipetsk Steel has concluded a EUR2.3 mln contract with Sytco a.g. (Switzerland) for the supply of a new roll-grinding machine for special grinding and proper roll surface profiling for its over 5 mln tpa capacity hot strip mill.

The installation of this roll treating equipment at NLMK’s main production site in Lipetsk will improve hot-rolled strip quality by 75%. It will improve the geometric parameters of the strip, both its flatness and thickness deviation. The Company will also be able to produce up to an additional 50,000 tpa of hot-rolled strip thanks to lower roll wear and fewer scheduled shutdowns. 

NLMK plans to install the mill revamping equipment in Q1 2012 as part of the second stage of NLMK’s Technical Upgrade Program.  At present, two machines are used for special grinding to ensure the required profile of mill rolls for the hot strip mill.  One more machine will be able to perform this operation following its reconstruction.

For reference:
The main objectives of Stage II of NLMK's Technical Upgrade Program for 2007 – 2012 are:
- Increase of Group steel production capacity by 40% to 17 mln tpa, including from 9 to 12.4 mln t at the Lipetsk site.
- Achieve maximum self-sufficiency in key raw materials.
- Increase finished product output from 8.9 to 10.7 mln tpa due to revamping and construction of new rolling facilities producing finished flats.
- Increase production efficiency and reduce environmental impact.