Russia: RSC ships first cold-rolled stainless steel, moves toward import substitution

• Focus on 300- and 400-series flat products
• Integrated steelmaking system targeted by 2027

SteelDaily: Russia has taken a key step toward reducing its heavy reliance on imported stainless steel, as the Russian Stainless Steel Corporation (RSC) successfully shipped its first batch of cold-rolled stainless steel coil from its Volzhsky complex in Volgograd Oblast on 7 January. The material was produced during the trial operation of the skin-pass mill, marking the start of commercial operations at the cold-rolling facility and a milestone for Russia’s domestic stainless steel supply chain.

At present, Russia depends on imports for nearly 96% of its cold-rolled stainless steel requirements. To address this gap, RSC is developing an integrated stainless steel plant with an annual capacity of 500,000 t of flat-rolled products. The facility will primarily produce 300-series and 400-series cold-rolled coils, along with hot-rolled flat stainless steel, aimed at meeting a significant share of domestic demand.

The project is being implemented in phases. Following the initial skin-pass mill operations, commissioning of major equipment, including a 20-stand cold-rolling mill, is scheduled through early 2026. RSC also plans to bring its hot-rolling plant on stream in the third or fourth quarter of this year, while construction of a steelmaking facility, including an electric arc furnace, is targeted for completion by Q1 2027. Once completed, the project will operate as a fully integrated stainless steel production chain using stainless scrap as a key raw material.

RSC is a joint venture between TMK (Pipe Metallurgical Company), Chelyabinsk Electrometallurgical Plant (CHEMK), and Norilsk Nickel. The participation of Norilsk Nickel is expected to strengthen raw material security and improve cost competitiveness through stable supplies of nickel pig iron and high-grade nickel. Market participants believe that once fully operational, the project could enhance Russia’s price competitiveness versus imports and support strategic sectors such as energy and aerospace by ensuring reliable domestic stainless steel supply.

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