Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (PJSC MMK) produced over 17.4 thousand tons of galvanized pipes in 2024. This is the highest annual production result in the entire history of the hot-dip galvanizing unit, Metallosnabzhenie i Sbyt reports.
The previous record was set by MMK in 2023, when the plant produced about 16.2 thousand tons of galvanized pipes. Pipe production as part of a comprehensive program for the development of deep metal processing at MMK began in the 1990s. In 2001, an automated galvanizing unit was put into operation at LPC-7 (also called the bent section shop), the combined equipment of which allows galvanizing both electric-welded water and gas pipes and road barriers. Automation also made it possible to vary the coating thickness parameters in strict accordance with a given program. The line capacity is 50 thousand tons of galvanized products per year.
The launch of the unit improved the consumer properties of not only pipes, but also some types of bent sections. According to experts, hot-dip galvanized pipes with an anti-corrosion coating are 2-2.5 times more reliable and durable than regular ones. In addition, galvanized steel pipes provide the best compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.
Since December 2009, in order to reduce costs and ensure increased labor productivity, LPC-7 was merged with the adjacent eighth sheet rolling shop. Thus, LPC-8 was transferred the functions of producing and shipping bent sections, black and galvanized pipes, road barriers and hot-rolled strips.