IPSCO Tubulars Inc., an American subsidiary of Russia-based PAO TMK, one of the world’s largest producers of tubular products, opened its new ULTRA FBE Coating Facility in Wilder, Kentucky.

IPSCO is a producer and supplier of seamless and welded oil country tubular goods and other pipe products, with headquarters in Houston, Texas, and manufacturing facilities located in Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska and Alberta, Canada.

“With the new facility, TMK IPSCO’s products will become more reliable and more cost-efficient for consumers. Its strategic location and premium tubular products, now available with special coating, provide our American division with a strong competitive edge which enables further growth,” commented Vyacheslav Popkov, TMK’s Senior Vice President, Manufacturing.

The plant externally coats flowline, gathering and transmission lines up to 24 inches in diameter and has excellent logistics to ship the finished pipes by truck, rail or barge. According to company officials, the coating facility is strategically situated near the rich natural gas deposits of the Marcellus Shale formation.

“Coating is utilized by operators to provide protection against corrosion, mechanical damage, and weathering,” remarked Piotr Galitzine, Chairman & CEO. “With ready access to ULTRA coating services, our customers can avail themselves of the best technology in the sector.”

The plant is certified to industry standards, including CSA Z245.20, NACE SP0394, and AWWA C213, as well as end users’ specific standards. Extensive quality and material inspection equipment will be utilized, company officials said. The 280,000 tons of annual coating capacity is available in Fusion Bond Epoxy, Abrasion Resistant Overcoat and Speciality Coating.