According to SteelOrbis, citing data from the Turkish metallurgical company Kardemir, the enterprise commissioned its new Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) No. 2 on April 3. The new unit, supplied by the German SMS Group, has an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons and is designed to produce semi-finished products of various sizes. The launch is part of the company's broader investment program focused on improving product quality, increasing operational efficiency, and growing the share of high-value-added products.
Production Volumes and Investment Context
The new CCM follows the implementation of other key projects by Kardemir, including a second vacuum degassing unit and the installation of a sizing block. Combined, these investments are intended to strengthen the plant's technological flexibility and improve the stability of metal product parameters. For the manufacturer, this is crucial not only for expanding the product range but also for increasing competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.
Kardemir also declares a goal of reaching a total crude steel production volume of 3 million tons. This target indicates the company's intent to grow its production base in sync with the modernization of primary stages. Amid foreign trade volatility, this provides the manufacturer with better opportunities to balance volumes, margins, and customer requirements for the quality of billets and rolled products.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
The launch of additional continuous casting capacity in Turkey could influence the regional supply of billets and finished rolled products, especially in segments where consistent dimensions, metal purity, and repeatability of characteristics are critical. This is particularly relevant given that, according to GMK Center, Turkish steel exports decreased by 13.5% year-on-year to 2 million tons in January-February 2026. In such a scenario, production modernization becomes a tool for companies to improve efficiency and pivot toward higher-value products.
For Ukrainian industrial consumers and processors, these changes highlight the need to monitor supply source quality and technical metal parameters. That is why winox.ua works with trusted manufacturers and offers certified rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals that meet modern industrial standards. During periods of market change, a reliable supplier helps businesses maintain production continuity and procurement predictability.
Environmental Modernization as a Long-term Strategy
Kardemir's investments are not limited to production capacities. The company states its intention to reduce emissions by 43% by 2037 and reach net-zero by 2053. In 2024, the manufacturer implemented the third stage of its environmental investment program worth approximately $50 million, covering dust suppression systems, flue gas filtration, and wastewater treatment upgrades.
The energy component is also noteworthy: in 2024, Kardemir covered 60.5% of its own electricity needs through internal production. For the steel industry, this is a significant indicator, as energy efficiency and environmental cost control increasingly affect production costs. Ultimately, the launch of the new CCM is not an isolated project but part of the manufacturer's systematic transformation toward a more technological and environmentally sustainable business model.