Ruukki to Supply Natural Gas Pipelines to Gasum

Ruukki has won orders from Gasum to supply high-pressure natural gas pipelines made of high-strength steel for projects in Kymenlaakso and the Hameenlinna-Tampere region in Finland. The orders are worth over E10 million.

The main pipeline stretching from Pajari in Kymenlaakso to Valkeala is 27 kilometers long and is scheduled for delivery from June to November 2008. The parallel transmission pipeline from Kutinen near Iittala to Kulju in Lempaala is 43 kilometers long and is scheduled for delivery from August 2008 to August 2009.

The steel pipelines will be protected with polyethylene on the outside and coated with epoxy paint on the inside to reduce friction. Ruukki and Gasum have developed an environmentally safe solution called HS internal painting. This means that Ruukki’s works use 40% to 50% less solvents than earlier in the coating process.

Olavi Huhtala, president of Ruukki’s metals unit, said: “Only the most reliable pipeline suppliers delivering the best quality are accepted as natural gas pipeline suppliers in western Europe. Co-operation with Gasum strengthens our position as a dependable, quality actor recognized by customers.”

Juha Vainikka, vice president of transmission at Gasum, said: “Ruukki was by far the best choice of partner. We evaluated not just price, but also pipe length, delivery flexibility and high product quality. Ruukki’s delivery accuracy, reliability and flexibility have always been excellent.”