In a statement, the company said the EUR150 million investment is intended to allow for production of thinner and stronger sheet. To that end, the project will enable the mill to produce thin gauges, down to 1.2 mm, and in yield strengths above 1,000 MPa. 

The project also will take its capacity from 1.7 million metric tons annually to 2.2 million metric tons by 2022. 

Upgrades include a state-of-the art automation system, three new and three upgraded mill stands, new drives and motors, a new run-out table, and modernized cooling and water systems. Work is to begin early next year. 

Primetals Technologies already has finalized basic engineering and has begun manufacturing the equipment, NLMK said. 

NLMK International chief executive Ben de Vos said the investment is the company’s biggest at the La Louvière strip mill. 

“This project helps achieve one of the key targets of NLMK Group’s Strategy 2022: to increase value added sales by 1.7 million metric tons globally. The increase is set to be delivered through the expansion of product mix and tolerances and following the evolving demands of our customers who continuously look for lighter, higher strength steels,” de Vos said.