LONDON: Tata Steel plans to install a new line to double the slitting capacity of its service centre at Gelsenkirchen, in Germany.
Service Centre Gelsenkirchen GmbH currently operates one slitter and one cut-to-length line and the output is largely destined for the automotive industry.
The second slitting line, together with the associated expansion of the Gelsenkirchen site, will cost 8.6 million euros.
The new line will have a capacity of 140,000 tonnes per annum, almost double the site's existing slitting capacity.
The new slitter will be able to process coil in thicknesses of 0.4-4mm and widths up to 1,650mm, with a maximum yield strength of 1400N/mm2.
It is due to come onstream in early 2012.
Service Centre Gelsenkirchen General Manager Jochen Hoefges, said: "Our strategy toward the automotive sector is to increase the volume and technical innovation of the products we offer.