New technology will help leading tube producer in China meet demand
Beijing , China April 26, 2004 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a $9 million order to supply the electrical and automation equipment for a steel tube production line of Pangang Group Chengdu Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
"The steel market here continues to grow," said Christer Skogum vice president and head of ABB's process automation business in China. "By blending advanced technology with our extensive knowledge of industrial processes, we help customers like this markedly improve their products and strengthen their market leadership."
The order supports China's booming steel industry. Iron and steel production rose about 21 percent in the first half of 2003, and investments doubled. Some steel products - like steel tubes used in the petroleum and natural gas industries - remain in short supply. According the China Statistical Yearbook 2003, overall steel imports jumped 49 percent from January to September, to 28.2 million tons.
This is ABB's third order in China for the control system of a "green-field" steel tube production line. The first order was for Tianjin Pipes Co. Ltd and the second for Hualing Hengyang Steel Co. Ltd.
Skogum said the new order reinforces ABB's leading market position in applications for steel tubes production. Engineering, commissioning and service will be carried out by ABB's metals and minerals team in Beijing.
The new contract includes the supply of medium- low-voltage drive systems, automation and control architecture, motors and electrification, and is scheduled for completion in the beginning of 2006.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering their environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 115,000 people. In China, ABB employs about 6,500 people in around 25 cities.
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