LIBERTY Częstochowa, Poland’s only producer of low-carbon GREENSTEEL plate, has started the renovation of its plate metal cutting lines, which will improve the shipment of orders to customers and is an important element of achieving the company’s new production strategy.

LIBERTY Częstochowa has traditionally had two cutting lines, but one (Line No. 1) was last modernised in 2012 and in recent years has only been used in emergency situations. The repair and modernisation of Line No. 1 has now begun and will use a mix of internal maintenance services and specialised external companies. The project will include the upgrade of the steel shearing tool, the replacement of conveyor belts and a full overhaul of the line’s motors, longlines and control grates.

Once the Line No. 1 project has finished it will temporarily take over the cutting of metal sheets, while Line No. 2 is overhauled. The aim is to have both lines working simultaneously by April, which will significantly improve the dispatch of metal sheets to customers and will lead to around 30 new employees being hired.

The renovation of the cutting lines is crucial for the successful realisation of LIBERTY Częstochowa’s new “55-65-85” production strategy, which initially aims to achieve the shipment of 55,000 tons of steel plates per month.

LIBERTY restarted the Częstochowa plant within a few weeks of initially taking over the lease in December 2020. Since then, the plant’s 1,200 experienced employees have been increasing its production to their highest monthly levels since 2017. In December monthly GREENSTEEL slab production had increased up to 48,000 tonnes, up from only 16,000 tonnes in January, while the rolling mills increased their production of GREENSTEEL heavy plate up to 42,000 tonnes from 12,000 tonnes in January. LIBERTY has also instigated a comprehensive repairs programme, restarted Częstochowa’s prefabrication plant and agreed a five year a Labour Collective Agreement with the unions.