Vallourec : celebrates 40 years of expertise and know-how serving the nuclear industry

Boulogne-Billancourt, October 15, 2014 - Vallourec, world leader in premium tubular solutions is celebrating 40 years of expertise and know-how serving nuclear power as part of the first World Nuclear Exhibition in Le Bourget, France, a gathering of global players in nuclear power.

Vallourec is the world's sole supplier capable of offering all of a nuclear plant's tubes  

The Group offers a full range of premium tubes of all dimensions and steel grades that responds to all of its customers' needs. Eighty per cent of nuclear power plants in operation or under construction worldwide are equipped with Vallourec tubes.

Wholly owned Vallourec subsidiary, Valinox Nuclear, is a world leader in tubes for nuclear power plant steam generators. Its nickel alloy tubes are the only interface between the primary and secondary circuits in pressurized water reactors. Valinox Nuclear responds to the most demanding and advanced specifications and is qualified to equip the main third generation nuclear plant pressurized water reactors such as EPR, AP1000, APR1400 and ACP1000.

Since 1974, Valinox Nuclear has produced over 40,000 km of pipes, a distance equivalent to the Earth's circumference.

Vallourec is also the leader of welded titanium and stainless steel tubes for secondary circuits via Vallourec Heat Exchanger Tubes (VHET), which, since 1976, has delivered more than 20,000 km of moisture separator reheater (MSR) tubes and over 75,000 km of titanium condenser tubes for nuclear plants worldwide.

Finally, Vallourec produces seamless connecting and vapor transfer tubes between the elements of the primary and secondary circuits. The Group offers a size range for this type of tube that responds to all needs.

An industrial network closer to growth markets

On the occasion of the exhibition, Power Generation Division Director Nicolas de Coignac said, "Vallourec is proud to support the French nuclear industry since its beginning. The Group is well-positioned to capitalize on the strong growth in global demand for electrical energy through its international presence and its expertise and know-how acquired over 40 years."

A partner of the French nuclear industry from the start, Vallourec is playing a key role in the renovation program of French nuclear plants to extend the life of existing reactors.

Its strong international presence positions Vallourec to take advantage of market opportunities (new build and maintenance) in Europe, the Middle East, India, China and South Korea, as well as in South Africa and Brazil. Based in Montbard in the Burgundy region since 1974, Valinox Nuclear modernized its French production unit in 2011 and inaugurated its new plant in June 2013 in Guangzhou (Canton), in the southeast of China, enabling it to support the growth of the Chinese nuclear market and its export market. VHET also operates close to its customers with locations in France, the United States, China, South Korea and India.

Image: Vallourec tubes at a nuclear plant