In a statement, SMS group said the caster, to be housed at NLMK's  Lipetsk works, will be built in place of a 42-year-old, 2-strand caster. The new unit will be capable of producing slabs of 2,800 mm in width and in thicknesses of up to 400 mm. It is being designed to produce 2 million metric tons annually. 

SMS group said it will supply the basic and detail engineering and the mechanical and electrical system. The equipment includes a ladle turret, hydraulically oscillated molds, strand guide with 25 segments and the exit section. SMS group also will oversee installation and commissioning. 

Start-up is scheduled for December 2019.