Ruukki strengthens its position in wind energy

Press release 27 April 2010

Ruukki 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 Ruukki's position as a supplier of high wind turbine towers.

Ruukki aims to develop new types of energy-efficient wind turbine tower solutions and will apply SeeBA's patented solutions in its new lattice wind turbine towers. SeeBA will in future focus on wind farm development and construction.

"Working together with SeeBA, we have developed a new type of wind turbine tower structure, 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. Consequently, we would expect the market share of higher wind turbine towers to grow. This acquisition will strengthen our position on the growing renewable energy markets," says Jyrki Keronen, Senior Vice President, Energy products.

The operations acquired from SeeBA Technik GmbH fit in well with Ruukki's strategy, strengthen Ruukki's market position and are expected to generate further business opportunities as a manufacturer of equipment for the energy industry. Ruukki has earlier delivered prefabricated tower plates, welded components, flange profiles and foundations for wind turbine towers.

For further information, please contact: Jyrki Keronen, Senior Vice President, Energy products, Ruukki Engineering, tel. +358 50 31 43465

Rautaruukki supplies metal-based components, systems and integrated systems to the construction and engineering industries. The company has a wide selection of metal products and services. Rautaruukki has operations in 27 countries and employs 11,500 people. Net sales in 2009 totalled EUR 2.0 billion. The company's share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (Rautaruukki Oyj: RTRKS). The Corporation uses the marketing name Ruukki.