KISWEL

- Successfully localized welding material following development period of more than 1 year.

- Achieved cost savings of more than 30% compared with imported materials

- To compete in onshore & offshore LNG storage tank market through implementation of package supply of 9% nickel steel and welding material

 

   POSCO and Kiswel has successfully localized a welding material required in the production of onshore LNG storage tanks.

 

   Since the onshore LNG storage tank has recently been designed as a model equipped with special seismic A class to enable an increased capacity and improved safety, the steel material and welding joints of the storage tank require a higher level of strength and durability than previous materials, while maintaining a toughness that can withstand shocks.

 

   In particular, the inner tank containing LNG at 165℃ below zero employs 9% nickel steel and expensive nickel-series welding materials that can withstand ultralow-temperature environments.

 

   Although POSCO developed a 9% nickel steel for ultralow temperatures for the first time domestically in the early 1960s, all of the welding materials have been imported due to problems such as high toughness and operation efficiency, etc.

 

   For this reason, POSCO and Kiswel signed a strategic engineering development agreement last year, undertook the development of domestic welding material for 9% nickel steel, and have succeeded in the joint development of 3 types of welding material that can be used for all welding methods including manual, automatic, and semi-automatic welding, etc. after a development period of more than 1 year.

 

   The domestic welding material developed at this time secures the same quality level as imported materials, and has substantially more excellent welding workability, enabling users to enjoy the advantage of minimization of defects in welding joints. 

 

   The welding joints that applied POSCO 9% nickel steel and domestic welding material have passed all CWNT’s of Korea Gas Corporation and overseas construction planners, and secured high reliability, satisfying all quality standards of Korea Gas Corporation and test items of overseas construction planners, etc.

 

   In addition, cost saving effects of more than approximately 30% compared with imported materials are also expected through the development of this localized welding material.

 

   For the global LNG market this year, growth of 3~5% compared with last year is expected, with continuous growth anticipated up to 2040.

 

   As new LNG demands for industry and eco-friendly fuels in our country are expected to be continuously increased, the domestic LNG demand in 2034 is forecast to reach 52.35 million tons, an increase of approximately 7 million tons compared with this year.

 

   Accordingly, an additional 18 units, including 10 units for Korea Gas Corporation and 8 units for the civilian sector, of the storage tanks for imported and stored LNG are expected to be constructed, so that demands for 9% nickel steel and welding materials are also forecast to be greatly increased.

 

   In the future, both companies are planning to implement supply with packaging of 9% nickel steel and welding material.

 

   Starting with the high-capacity LNG storage tank of Dangjin LNG base that begins construction this year, expanded application to domestic and overseas onshore LNG projects is planned, along with an active approach to the offshore storage tank market such as fuel tanks for LNG-powered ships and LNG bunkering, etc   

 

▲ From left to right, managing director of Kiswel Ryan (Younglak) Kim, vice chairman of Kiswel Choi, Hee-am ,

     director of POSCO research laboratory Choo, Sedon, chief of marketing office for POSCO Energy Shipbuilding, Kim, Sangcheol

     stand for a commemorative photo at the package supply agreement ceremony between POSCO and Kiswel for 9% Ni steel

     and domestic welding material for LNG containers.