Russia-based VIZ-Stal, part of NLMK, increased its production in 2021.

Production of transformer steel amounted to 176,000 tonnes, up by 8.5% on-year, Kallanish notes.

Sales of transformer steel increased by 3% to 166,000t. The positive dynamic is associated with an increase in global demand for transformer steel, the enterprise says.

Exports accounted for over 71% of total sales, with more than 90% of shipments carried out under long-term contracts. India, Turkey, North and South America, the CIS and Russia remain the key sales areas, VIZ-Stal says.

In 2021, the plant put into operation a modernised line for heat treatment of transformer steel (see Kallanish passim). The design capacity of the line is 9,600 t/year. Total investment amounted to RUB 342 million ($5m).

Last July, NLMK chose Tenova to supply the equipment for VIZ-Stal’s prospective India-based grain-oriented electrical steel plant. NLMK's Maharashta-based plant is due for commissioning in the first half of 2022.

The 64,000 t/y plant aims to increase output of transformer steel in India, with NLMK supply from Russia currently having a 25% share of the market.