At Taganrog Metallurgical Works (TAGMET), a part of TMK, the first hollow-billet piercing was carried out with the use of the piercing mill of a new pipe-rolling system, part of a Premium Quality Finishing (PQF) continuous mill made by SMS Meer. Annual capacity of the new system will amount to 600 thousand tonnes of seamless pipes.

The testing was successful. Having been heated in reconstructed annular kiln, the hollow billet made from 32G2 steel, 210mm diameter and 2470mm length was successfully pierced. The quality of the shell surface and its geometrical dimensions met required parameters. Piercing rate matched the capacity of the continuous mill. Pipe-shell piercing is the first stage of seamless-pipe rolling.

Commissioning of these facilities is scheduled for September of this year.