Kazakhstan’s Qarmet plans to expand pipe production capacity

Kazakhstan’s Qarmet (formerly ArcelorMittal Temirtau) plans to increase the production capacity of the company’s Aktau Pipe Plant by 40 thousand tons per year, up to 100 thousand tons per year. This was discussed during the visit of Qarmet’s management to the plant, the company’s press service reports.

Currently, Qarmet Tubular Products Aktau (QTPA) is a production complex with an annual design capacity of 60 thousand tons of tubular products. The company employs more than 200 people.

The visit included an inspection of the pipe electric welding shop, the protective coating shop, and the plant’s laboratory. Representatives of the plant reported on the progress of current projects.

The company’s shareholder, Andriy Lavrentiev, noted the need to improve working conditions and technologies at the plant. To this end, Qarmet will start expanding production to 100 thousand tons and bringing railways to the plant’s territory.

The prospects of QTPA development and identification of areas for plant modernization were discussed during a meeting with the President’s representative in Mangistau region, Nurlan Nogayev. Both parties expressed interest in further strengthening economic ties.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Qarmet of Kazakhstan plans to increase production of steel products in 2024. This year’s steel production is expected to grow by 13% compared to 2023, to 3.3 million tons, and iron ore concentrate production by 10%, to 10 million tons. At the same time, coal production is expected to decline by 2%.

Last December, ArcelorMittal completed the sale of its assets in Kazakhstan to Qazaqstan Investment Corporation. QIC acquired all the shares in ArcelorMittal Temirtau and ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Aktau. Qazaqstan Steel Group and its founder Andrey Lavrentiev became the new investor. ArcelorMittal Temirtau was later renamed Qarmet.

In addition to acquiring assets, the Kazakh investor pledged to invest another $3 billion in modernizing production and protecting the region’s environment, with $1.3 billion to be invested in 2024.