Severstal Columbus Launches New Push Pull Pickle Line

Severstal North America announced that the new Push Pull Pickle Line (PPPL) is up and running at its site in Columbus, Mississippi. This new line has a designed annual capacity of approximately 630,000 tonnes (700,000 net tons) of pickled and oiled product. Capable of pickling .059” to .500” by 36” to 74” product, the PPPL will allow for an additional expansion within Severstal’s end-user markets with new, heavier gauge products.

“The new line provided our company with added pickled and oiled volume, enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility, and an expanded product mix,” commented Wilbur Winland, Vice President and General Manager, Severstal Columbus.

The $550 million Phase II expansion project at the Columbus plant, planned to be completed by the end of the year, will increase annual steel production to 3.1 million tonnes (3.4 million net tons) and double the plant’s galvanizing capacity.

ОАО Severstal is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated steel and steel related mining companies, with assets in Russia, the USA, the Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, Italy, Liberia and Brazil. Severstal’s gold business, Nordgold, was established in 2007 and comprises mines and exploration projects in Russia, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso and Guinea. Severstal is listed on RTS and MICEX and the company’s GDRs are traded on the LSE. Severstal reported revenue of $13,573 million and EBITDA of $3,263 million in 2010. Severstal’s crude steel production in 2010 was 14.7 million tonnes.

Severstal North America is a major steelmaker in the United States and specializes in the full range of the high quality light flat rolled products. Fully integrated operations and corporate headquarters are located in Dearborn, Michigan. A new state-of-the-art electric arc furnace operation in Columbus, Mississippi serves the growing demand for steel in the southeastern United States. Severstal North America also has several joint ventures for the high quality, value-added coated products, as well as a jointly owned coke-making facility Mountain State Carbon. Severstal North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OAO Severstal, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies.