OREANDA-NEWS. On 5 February 2008  OMZ Foundry Production, a part of OMZ, announced plans for a switch to the production of medium and small sized casting products using Alphaset Process Technology by mid-2008.

Alphaset Process Technology simplifies the procedure for mold knockout and delivers significant quality improvements. The size and configuration of casting products will closely correspond with finished products.

The switch to the modern technology will be possible after replacement of all mixing and molding machines with the latest mixers. Full reconstruction of the workshop has been already begun. It will be completed by August 2008. In addition, the company is actively rebuilding its large sized casting facilities. In February the company expects to put into operation a new mixer from FTL, a UK company, with a capacity of 40 tons per hour. Simultaneously the company is working on installation of a gas cleaning system by Dantherm, a German company.

As part of OMZ's general investment program developed for its companies located at the St. Petersburg industrial site, investments of more than RUR150 million into OMZ Foundry Production’s facilities are planned. The company plans to renovate its large sized casting equipment fully, to purchase new machining equipment, and to rebuild the electric furnace workshop.