The developments of plates are strongly driven by demands from high-sophisticatedpipeline and structural applications. Such needs reflect in plates with higher thickness,larger width, higher toughness also at lower temperatures, higher strength and/or betterresistance to sour environments. The requirement profiles are, in some cases, exceptionaland have become achievable, in an extreme combination of alloying and processingtechnologies, only as a result of comprehensive development work and plant investments. Abroad potential for innovation derives by the utilization of the key-technology TMCP(Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Process). The status of present-day heavy plate productionwill be presented. An outline of the production facilities, routes and process variantswill be given. As a central element to achieve high-class requirements, aspects andparameters of the metallurgical design will be explained. The utilization will beexplained and illustrated with selected recent applications.
