BHEL in talks with Sheffield, Kobe for nuclear forgings facility

BHEL is planning to set up a Greenfield manufacturing base in India for nuclear forgings and is in talks with UK based Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd and Japan’s Kobe Steel for a possible joint venture. Bharat Forge, the world’s second largest forging company could also be involved in the new venture.

Mr K Ravi Kumar CMD of BHEL’s said that “We are looking at a nuclear forgings facility in India in light of the new orders on the anvil. Talks are on with Sheffield and Kobe Steel. Bharat Forge could also be part of the venture and we are talking to them.”

Mr Kumar said that “There is a big shortage of facilities manufacturing critical equipment including forgings and castings, for nuclear power stations. The move to set up our own dedicated facility is aimed at addressing this problem.”

BHEL had earlier signed a joint venture with Ranchi based Heavy Engineering Corporation for making forgings for nuclear power equipment.

Currently, nations setting up nuclear capacities are faced with a big crunch in sourcing critical components for nuclear stations, particularly the large forgings used for reactor vessels and steam systems.

UK’s Sheffield Forgemasters is among the world’s largest independently owned forgemaster and specializes in a broad range of heavy steel forgings and steel castings including nuclear grade steel components. Kobe Steel, Japan’s fourth largest steelmaker is also a big player in nuclear steel castings and forgings.

ref:
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/11/21/NzIxMzI%3D/BHEL_in_talks_with_Sheffield%25252C_Kobe_for_nuclear_forgings_facility.html