Pirelli opens Romanian steelcord factory

Pirelli steelcord has officially opened its joint-venture factory in Romania. The factory is run by Cord Romania, an 80-20 joint venture with Continental AG, and is located in Slatina, Romania.

The two companies are investing a total of Euro 40 million over a five-year period, said Pirelli. The money will be invested in a series of phases. Initially the company aims to get up to running speed with a fine-drawing and cabling capacity of 6000 to 7000 tonnes per year, said Andrea Pirondini, Director BU Pirelli steelcord. Then, during 2006 the plant will double capacity.

The next step, said Pirondini, is to add brassed wire and other semi-manufactured processes, before increasing capacity to 30 000 to 35 000 tonnes, depending on the portfolio of products made at the plant.

Pirondini said the Slatina plant is aimed at high-tech cords, focussing on both car and truck cords. He added that up to 10 percent of capacity will be used for hose cords and braiding as well. He added that the plant will not make bead wire. The company prefers to buy in the relatively low-technology bead wire, said Pirondini.