OREANDA-NEWS. On December 26, 2007 Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announced that it has successfully implemented an investment development program at its steel subsidiary, Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant OAO (BMP). In line with this program, a modern equipment complex has been commissioned at BMP Workshop No.11 to produce high-tensile stabilized reinforcing wire strands for use in the construction industry, reported the press-centre of Mechel.

The new equipment complex will enable BMP to manufacture 25,500 tonnes annually of a new type of product - stabilized reinforcing ropes. The new project cost is about RUR140,0 million (approximately US$6,0 million).

The complex includes a drawing line to manufacture high-tensile wire of 3.0 mm - 8.0 mm in diameter; lines to manufacture seven low relaxation wire strands of 6.0 mm - 18.0 mm in diameter; and lines for toroidal packaging of finished product coils.

The wire drawing and rope manufacturing lines were supplied by MFL of Italy, and the packaging line by H-BOHL of Germany.

High-tensile stabilized reinforcing strands manufactured at BMP will be supplied to construction companies for manufacturing of prestressed concrete structures used in the most technologically advanced construction elements, such as bridges, high-rise buildings, and reinforced-concrete pressure pipes.

Commissioning of the new equipment complex at Beloretsk Metallurgical Plant is another stage in the implementation of Mechel’s capital investment program, which is aimed at improving product quality, increasing output, and generating additional profit through production cost reductions and expanding product mix to include a greater portion of higher value-added products.