OREANDA-NEWS. The general contractor GAMA Endustri, Turkey, has started to install primary technological equipment of the Foundry and Rolling Facility (FRF). The facility is being constructed by United Metallurgical Company (OMK) in the Vyksa District, Nizhni Novgorod Region.

According to the press service of OMK, at present, the installation of a steel-melting furnace and a ladle furnace is in progress in the Electric Furnace Shop, while the preparations for the installation of a machine for continuous casting of skelps are under way.

As of today, Danieli, Italy, has delivered for the FRF more than 10 thousand tonnes out of 27 thousand tonnes of the primary process equipment under the contract, including cranes with a capacity of 280 tonnes for the Electric Furnace Shop. In addition, furnaces manufactured by Cimprogetti SpA, Italy, have been supplied for the Lime-Burning Shop and the oxygen-compressor plant equipment produced by Siad, Italy. The equipment delivery to the construction site is carried out in accordance with the approved schedule.

At present, the scrap preparation shop building has been built and fully equipped. As for the Steelmaking Shop, its framework has been assembled, while the installation of metal structures is close to completion. The Central Laboratory and Administrative Complex buildings have been constructed.

 For the FRF, more than 160 specialists have already been recruited, with a total of about 800 employees required. The FRF personnel will receive theoretical training in Italy, on the base of Danieli, and practical training – at similar European plants.

The construction of the Foundry and Rolling Facility, one of the world unique complexes for the manufacture of pipe rolled products with special properties was launched June 11, 2005. The general contractor is GAMA Endustri, Turkey. OMK's investments in the project total more than $600 million. The annual capacity of FRF Phase One will be 1.2 million tonnes of rolls. The OMK FRF will produce hot-rolled steel coils (thickness: 1-12.7 mm) and fully cover the needs of Vyksa Steel Works (VSW) and Almetyevsk Pipe Plant (APP) for rolled products for their manufacture of small- and medium-diameter pipes (21-530 mm).

The OMK FRF will be the world's first facility to produce rolled products for cold-proof and corrosion-resistant pipes. It is also envisaged to master the manufacture of high quality rolled products for rail transport, as well as the automotive and shipbuilding industries.