Rautaruukki has announced that it will expand its operations in Russia and start fabrication of waste treatment containers for the growing Russian market.

The containers are to be fabricated in cooperation with Europress Group Ltd, the leading manufacturer of waste handling equipment in the Nordic countries. Ruukki and Europress have agreed on long term cooperation in fabrication.

According to the release, the containers will be built at Ruukki’s plant in Obninsk near Moscow. The first containers built by Ruukki will be delivered to Europress in autumn 2008.

Mr Matti Turunen MD of Europress Group said that “Ruukki offers us an opportunity to focus on building and capturing the market in Russia. Ruukki’s sound expertise in materials and parts processing eliminates any need to commit our companys time and resources to these. In addition, the location of Ruukki’s service centre in Obninsk is optimal for our customers.”

Mr Olavi Huhtala President of Ruukki Metals said that “The fast growing waste management segment and the large Russian market are a combination to which Ruukki can deliver unique expertise, to the advantage of its customer. Smooth cooperation within the production chain and our local presence are reflected on the end customer, especially in the delivery speed.”

Having had a strong presence in the Russian steel construction market since 2006, Ruukki now has some 2,100 employees in Russia. A steel service centre geared towards mechanical engineering customers is currently under construction alongside Ruukki’s production plant in Obninsk. Ruukki also maintains a steel service centre in St Petersburg, as well as sales offices in Moscow, St Petersburg and several other Russian growth centers.