Ruukki strengthens its position as a supplier of wind turbine towers

Rautaruukki has signed an agreement to acquire the wind turbine tower design, erection and maintenance operations of the German company SeeBA Technik GmbH. The transaction strengthens Rautaruukki's position as a supplier of high wind turbine towers.

- We have developed a new type of wind turbine tower structure together with SeeBA, which is a competitive alternative for tower solutions over 100 metres high. Wind velocity increases with height, which means higher towers are more efficient and also able to benefit from inland wind conditions, says Jyrki Keronen, Senior Vice President, Energy products, Rautaruukki.

Keronen estimates the market share of higher wind turbine towers to grow on the market. Rautaruukki has previously delivered prefabricated tower plates, welded components, flange profiles and foundations for wind turbine towers.

The new lattice wind turbine towers will apply SeeBA's patented solutions. SeeBA will in future focus on wind farm development and construction.

Rautaruukki supplies metal-based components, systems and integrated systems to the construction and engineering industries. The company has operations in 27 countries and it employs 11 500 professionals. Net sales in 2009 totalled 2.0 billion euros. The company uses Ruukki as its marketing name.

www.ruukki.com