NLMK’s continuous casting machine (CCM-7), with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum, has been commissioned after revamping at the company’s production site in Lipetsk. The new production facility is aimed at producing a wide range of high-quality slabs of various steel grades.

This upgrade extends the machine's process features and enables an increase in capacity of 700,000 tonnes.  It is now possible to increase the speed of steel casting by 30% to 1.6 m/min. CCM-7 design features provide high quality slab surfaces and internal structures, and reduce steel loss by 10%.

The new CCM is the fourth machine commissioned after revamping at NLMK's Lipetsk site. Total annual production capacity of all continuous casting machines is now approximately 11.7 million tonnes. 

The project has been implemented over 13 months in cooperation with Siemens VAI and as part of NLMK's Technical Upgrade Programme.

For reference:
One of the main objectives of NLMK's Technical Upgrade Programme for 2007 to 2011 is to increase crude steel output from 9 to 12.4 million tonnes per annum at the Lipetsk production site.