Russian steelmaker Severstal has announced that its Balakovo Long Product Mill has initiated hot commissioning at its arc-furnace shop,producing its first steel billets.

A number of specialists were involved in the hot commissioning at the arc-furnace shop,including Siemens VAI specialists who delivered manufacturing equipment to the shop,and specialists from an equivalent shop at Severstal's Cherepovets Steel Mill.The Balakovo mill produced its first fifty units of 150 mm x 150 mm billets during the commissioning.

Severstal's Balakovo Long Product Mill investment project is now moving into its production stage.The mill is expected to reach close to its capacity by the end of this year.