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Tata Steel, Nippon Steel Hardfacing to Partner on Roll Conditioning Technology

09/17/2008 - Tata Steel and Nippon Steel Hardfacing sign agreement on transfer of overlay welding technology for surface conditioning of steel rolls used in various steelmaking processes, such as continuous casting and rolling.

Tata Steel and Nippon Steel Hardfacing Co. (NSH) have signed an agreement on the transfer of overlay welding technology. The technology will be used for surface conditioning of steel rolls used in various steelmaking processes, such as continuous casting and rolling. The agreement was signed by Mr. H M Nerurkar, Chief operating Officer, Tata Steel and Yasuo Hidaka, Director and President from NSH. Also present on the occasion were officials from the senior management of Tata Steel.
 
Under the agreement, Tata will be able to use NSH’s welding technology for surface conditioning of its steel rolls. The technology will help to enhance the rolls’ resistance to wear, corrosion and thermal shock. For the transfer of technologies, the agreement provides for training of Tata Steel’s personnel in Japan, sending NSH’s specialists to Tata Steel for experience sharing and training, and supply of special welding equipment and consumables. The technology transfer will focus on the selection of welding materials suitable for widely varying operating conditions.
 
Upon invitation from Tata Steel, NSH assessed the potential opportunities for improvement in Tata’s in the company’s Jamshedpur Works with the use of hardfacing technology. Based on their study, NSH identified a high potential for enhancing the life of many components used in the Jamshedpur LD Shops, hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, coke plant, sinter plants, blast furnaces and raw material handling, as well as in Mines.
 
The overlay welding technology agreement is an outcome of Tata Steel’s appreciation of NSH’s long-accumulated welding technology for roll surface conditioning. The technology transfer began initially as a part of Nippon Steel Corp.’s ongoing provision of general technical assistance in equipment maintenance to Tata Steel. In consideration of the special nature of the technology, the Agreement has been specifically concluded between Tata Steel and NSH.
 
Tata Steel is currently expanding its activities in India, playing a pivotal role in the development of the country while also expanding its operations in Europe, Asia and other locations. The company is also focusing on expanding its product line and move towards higher-grade products with the introduction of advanced production facilities. Under these conditions, the introduction of NSH’s overlay welding technology for roll surface conditioning forms an important part in the process of quality improvement, cost reduction and productivity enhancement in continuous casting, hot strip rolling and other core production processes.
 
Based on the experiences of technical transfer and supply of products to steelmakers of Korea, China, Taiwan, Brazil, U.S.A. Europe, etc. in the past, and in line with Nippon Steel’s overseas strategy, NSH intends to further expand its overseas activities and strengthen the friendly relationship with Tata Steel.
 
Tata Steel is the world’s 6th-largest steel producer.