The Cherepovets Steel Mill, part of the Russian Steel division of OAO Severstal, boosted supplies to Russian mechanical engineering companies by 31,500t between January and August 2013. This is a 5% increase from the same period in 2012. In all, 665,500 tonnes of rolled steel was delivered to mechanical engineering companies in Russia.
Shipment volume growth was primarily based on increased deliveries to companies producing appliances and packaging. During the first eight months of 2013 deliveries to washing-machine and water-heater manufacturers increased considerably, up 25% and 14% respectively, compared to the same period in 2012. Cherepovets Steel Mill also increased deliveries to the industrial packaging segment as a result of growth in steel barrel production.
In 2013, the company developed new technology for the production of S500MC grade steel (similar to Swedish DOMEX steel) used in truck frame manufacture and characterised by higher strength properties and good weldability. The first preproduction S600MC and S700MC grade steel batches were produced this year, adding to the deliveries.
