OREANDA-NEWS. July 19, 2010. The Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ trademark) is planning to launch the new wire rod mill by 2014. The capacity of the new mill is 800,000 tonnes per year, BMZ director general Anatoly Savenok told reporters.

The €250mn project is envisaged in the company’s business plan for 2011-2015. The BMZ hopes this project will help it consolidate the positions on the market of wire rod, reinforcing steel and cast billets (bloom), Anatoly Savenok said.

The investment projects scheduled for implementation in 2011-2015 will enable the company to boost the output to 2.848 million tonnes, or up by 23.9% over 2009. The rate of growth in 2015 will make up 40.6% from 2009. The business plans were developed in 2009, therefore this year is used as a benchmark, Anatoly Savenok added.

The BMZ’s output has rebounded to its pre-crisis level. The capacity utilization is 100%. The company has secured a foothold on the new markets including in the African and Middle East countries. Due to the loss of some traditional market, for example, Moscow, BMZ re-distributed export flows across other area.

BMZ has started producing pipes from cast billets and the pipe that can withstand temperatures of minus 50 degrees. A trial consignment of high-strength steel cord has been shipped to Brazil.

Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ) was founded in 1984. The company specializes in cast sections, rolled sections, bar sections and reinforcing bars, metal cord, wire for high-pressure hoses and other kinds of wire. BMZ exports over 85% of the make. It employs over 12,000 people.