Nov 12 2004
The Korea Nuclear Fuel Company (KNFC) has awarded Westinghouse Electric Company contracts to provide joint technology development, training, major equipment and installation, and commissioning of a new tube manufacturing plant in the Republic of Korea. Westinghouse will also supply TREX starting materials from its Western Zirconium Plant in Ogden, Utah for eight years, as well as tubing supplies from its Specialty Metals Plant in Blairsville, Pa., to meet initial KNFC needs.
Under the terms of the four contracts, totaling in excess of $90 million, Westinghouse scope, which will begin in 2005 with completion in 2009, includes the transfer of proven Westinghouse technology to Korea.
"We are delighted by this latest show of confidence in Westinghouse technology and processes by KNFC," says Mike Saunders, senior vice president, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel. "It's a win-win that also aids KNFC in further localizing its nuclear capabilities."
With a planned location in Daejeon, approximately four miles from the existing KNFC Fuel Manufacturing site, the new Korean tubing plant will be based solely on the world-class technology and expertise of the Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant (SMP) in Blairsville, Pa. Once fully operational, the Korean facility is expected to produce in excess of 4 million linear feet per year.
The new venture will offer both companies a means of solidifying its respective security of supply for tubing and will serve as a viable Westinghouse back-up tubing source for the expanding load demands at SMP.
"Westinghouse Specialty Metals Plant has a longstanding relationship with KNFC and we are very excited about our new agreement with them," explains Saunders. "This strong alliance will allow us to pursue new manufacturing technology advancements and collaborate on new designs."
In addition to the agreed upon Westinghouse technology transfer, KNFC will station a number of Korean engineers at SMP for one year, beginning in 2006, for hands-on manufacturing process and methodology training. Westinghouse will support qualification of the KNFC new tube manufacturing facility's technology following equipment installation in Korea, which is projected for 2007-2008.
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