LIBERTY Galati invests 150 million RON in new accelerated cooling line for its Heavy Plate Mill

LIBERTY Galati, the largest integrated steel producer in Romania, continues its strategy to expand its portfolio of high value-added products and increase production flexibility and profitability, by starting the installation of a new modern accelerated cooling unit at its Heavy Plate Mill.

Following an investment worth 150 million RON, the accelerated cooling unit will enable the company to address the most profitable market segments, increases department productivity, expands the value-added product portfolio and improves the quality of finished products for its customers in the offshore, shipbuilding, construction and pressure vessel markets. LIBERTY Galati will be able to offer a new category of high-quality products, reinforcing its commitment to offer the best products to its customers in Romania and Europe, the Middle East, America.

Sandip Biswas, CEO, LIBERTY Primary Steel & Mining, said: “This state-of-the-art accelerated cooling installation represents another milestone in LIBERTY Galati’s strategy to expand its portfolio of high value-added products and increase production flexibility and profitability. The accelerated cooling system is essential for modern plate mills, as we have here at Galati, to produce higher strength and value-added grades which require higher cooling rates and better cooling accuracy. The project will be completed next year and will allow us to respond to our customers’ demand for higher value and quality products.”

Ajay Aggarwal, LIBERTY Steel Group’s President Europe and Chairman of the Board of LIBERTY Galati: “We are continuing to progress our GREENSTEEL transformation while modernizing and developing our operations. Our investment in this new unit is yet another step forward by our Galati team towards our long-term goals. Along the way, we are pleased to collaborate with partners with the highest expertise, such as Primetals who have developed some of the most advanced cooling technologies.”

Now, the LIBERTY Galati’s Heavy Plate Mill produces plates up to 4,000 mm wide and up to 180 mm thickness and Thermo-mechanically Controlled Processed (TMCP) grades, but also has a fully integrated flow including a new hot leveler machine, Ultrasonic testing machine and a marking machine.

LIBERTY Galati produces a wide range of quality flat products (plates, coils, galvanized sheets & coils, and organic coated products) as well as welded tubular products and supplies steel to customers across Romania and in approximately 30 countries worldwide. The steel products made in Galati are used in shipbuilding, construction, pressure vessels, automotive, transportation, as well as other sectors. Recently, LIBERTY Galati announced the installation of a state-of-the-art pipe coating line at its specialist company LIBERTY Tubular Products Galati, following a total investment of 40 million RON.