OREANDA-NEWS. Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, Nizhni Novgorod Region), part of United Metallurgical Company (OMK), has manufactured its first batch of shaped (square section) pipes of new standard size – 80х80 mm with 3-mm wall thickness. Up to the present time, shaped pipes of square and rectangular section of no more than 60х40 mm in size have been produced.

According to the press service of OMZ, the new production was launched under the program for OMK expansion in the shaped pipe market. By 2008, the Company plans to increase its annual shaped pipe production up to about 150,000 tonnes and take the lead in this segment. The shaped pipe market is now one of the most promising and fast-growing segment, due to increasing construction volumes and a large-scale modernization of housing services and public utilities.

OMK's total investment in the development of shaped pipes will reach about $15 million and be channeled into equipment production, a small-scale modernization of electric-weld pipe mills, and technological development.

At present, OMK produces shaped electric-weld pipes of up to 530 mm in diameter. The installation of additional equipment will enable the Company to change the pipe geometry and manufacture shaped pipes of 60-1,200 mm in perimeter with wall thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 12.7 mm. This product range will cover the entire existing shaped pipe market. Under the program, hot-forming of round pipes will be mastered to manufacture products of enhanced quality with new consumer properties that would be unique for Russia.

Before 2008, OMK will launch the Foundry and Rolling Facility (OMK FRF) for the production of coiled steel, which will also enhance OMK's competitiveness in the electric-welded closed sections market.