OREANDA-NEWS. Mechel OAO (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports that Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant won the status of a potential rail supplier to Germany’s railway operator Deutsche Bahn AG, following a production audit.

As part of the work visit, Deutsche Bahn AG experts toured the oxygen converter workshop, universal rolling mill and the rolling workshop #3, as well as the steel products testing center and the central analytics lab. During the visit, German experts examined all stages of Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s rail production — from steelmaking to shipping rails, and appraised the quality management control system of rail products at all production stages.

As a result, the sides signed a protocol affirming Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s status as a potential supplier of rails for Deutsche Bahn AG. The sides agreed to conduct measures required for Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant’s rails to pass certification as compliant with TSI standard for rail products in the European Union. Meanwhile the plant will begin testing to enable rail supplies to the railway network of DB Netz AG which is operating Germany’s railway infrastructure. Tests will be conducted with high-speed conditions among others.

“The universal rolling mill is capable of manufacturing products at the finest global level and preliminary tests confirmed that. Today our aim is to pass certification not only in Russia, but also in Europe. This will enable us to replace imports domestically and become a successful competitor globally,” Mechel-Steel Management Company OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Vladimir Tytsky commented.