NLMK Group, an international steelmaking company with operations in Russia, the USA and EU member states, has delivered a trial batch of new high-strength hot-dip galvanized steel to the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus automobile manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg.

The new grade of rolled steel, designated SGRC440 and classified as a high-tech steel, was previously supplied to the automotive plant by international manufacturers for the production of interior panels for the Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio models.

A special technology that produces steel sheets with enhanced characteristics was introduced at Novolipetsk in order to develop the new product. The enhanced characteristics provide for a high strength combined with the optimal ductility. The product meets the standards set out in the Hyundai-Kia Motor Company Global Material Guide (HKMC 2008.05) in full, having successfully passed through laboratory trials at the Hyundai Motor Company R&D center in South Korea as well as a test stamping in St. Petersburg.

Ilya Guschin, NLMK Group Vice President of Sales, said:

“The successful trial of our steel products is expanding the horizons of NLMK Group for cooperation with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus, which is planning to actively develop its business in Russia. We intend to drive the volume of sales of high value added products to the Russian market, which is of great importance to us, by expanding our range of high-tech products and by offering a high level of customer service.”

When opening its plant in St. Petersburg, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus set about the task of finding suppliers that could provide reliable just-in-time delivery of steel that met with the company’s corporate standards and was in no way inferior to equivalent steel available by import. NLMK Group was one such supplier, having cooperated with Hyundai Motors since the company first began working in Russia in 2010. Series supplies of steel from Novolipetsk for production of automobile body components for the Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio models that are so popular in Russia began in 2011. The bulk of steel supplies consist of cold-rolled and galvanized steels, including IF steel which possesses high ductility and increased strength.

In order to ensure reliable delivery, NLMK employs an intermediate storage facility in St. Petersburg for its products.