Arcelor Mittal Tubar?o in Espirito Santo State in Brazil, have signed a service contract which includes maintenace for approximately 2000 automatic and safety valves for entire plant. The contract also includes intelligent tools for preventive and predictive maintenance and maintenance planning activities. Arcelor Mittal Tubar?o is a world leader in the semi-finished steel market, and accounts for 12% of global slab sales. It's also one of the largest companies in Brazil.

The agreement expands the current service agreement and is one of the largest contract for Metso's valve operations in South America. Metso won the contract after excellent performance at implementing and developing valve management for most critical valves at the plant. Valves performance at this plant is essential part of the quality and safety process.

One significant advantage for Arcelor Mittal is related to the capabilities of Metso's intelligent tools to monitor and analyze valve condition even while the process is running. Conventional methods require stopping the process, and removing or dismantling the valves for closer inspection.

Another key element in successful and economical valve maintenance is planning.

"Thanks to Metso developed on and off-line monitoring tools, our customers can plan their maintenance schedule in advance, so any disruption to the process is kept to a minimum. In addition, they can focus maintenance activities on those valves needing it most. A constant awareness of overall valve condition prevents unexpected breakdowns, which can result in stopping the process completely, which is extremely costly,'' says Tercelino Leite, Service Manager, Automation business line, Metso.

Metso's strategy is to offer knowledge-based services close to its customers so the company's global service network is continuously growing. Investing in service capabilities is demonstrated in the large service contracts Metso has won from large global companies such as Arcelor Mittal and Petrobras.

Metso maintains three service locations in Brazil with more than 50 experienced technicians in well equipped workshops. Metso has 31 service centres globally to secure customer's valve maintenance, and new service centre will be opened in India within next six months.

Arcelor Mittal is the world's leading integrated steel and mining company, with operations in more than 60 countries. In 2010, Arcelor Mittal had revenues of US$78 billion and crude steel production of 90.6 million tonnes, representing approximately 8% of world steel output. For more information: Tercelino Leite, Service Manager, Automation business line, Metso tercelino.leite@metso.com