OREANDA-NEWS.  In 2013 OAO Severstal, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated steel and steel-related mining companies, achieved maximum volumes of shipments from its hot-dip-galvanizing line. In 2013 Severstal increased production of automotive body sheet by 44% compared with 2012, with an output of around 95 thousand tonnes.

On 17 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the hot-dip-galvanizing production unit at Cherepovets steel mill (part of Severstal Russia steel division) during his visit to the city of Cherepovets.

In 2013, more than 86% of Severstal’s total shipments of hot-dip-galvanized automotive body sheet was delivered to international companies operating in Russia. Overall Severstal delivered 82 thousand tonnes of hot-dip-galvanized sheet to international companies operating in Russia and the CIS.

The increased production was attributed to the successful development of a required range of products and the expansion of rolled steel processing joint venture companies supplying prefabricated parts to international automotive companies. The hot-dip-galvanizing line currently produces more than 50 grades of hot-dip-galvanized steel sheet, several of which are produced exclusively by the Cherepovets Steel Mill.

Severstal also supplies international automotive companies with cold-rolled, hot-rolled and hot-rolled-etched sheet. Severstal delivered a total of 126 thousand tonnes of steel products to international automotive companies operating in Russia in 2013.

In 2013 Severstal’s customers included Renault-NISSAN, VOLKSWAGEN, HYUNDAI-KIA, Ford, GM, PSA and other international automobile companies operating in Russia.

Severstal is planning homologation procedures to begin delivering galvanized steel for several new car-models this year.