Tata Steel's Long Products Europe business secures five-year rail supply agreement in France. Tata Steel's Long Products Europe business will continue to supply French rail operator SNCF for at least five more years after a new deal was signed.

The company's rail mill in Hayange, north-eastern France, has supplied the French network for more than 130 years. With Tata Steel, and previously Corus, being SNCF's main rail supplier since 1999 the contract renewal will see that continue for the next five years with an extension option for a further four years.

Tata Steel will supply the bulk of SNCF's 750,000 tonne requirements of high-quality rail over the duration of the renewed contract in lengths of up to 108 metres from its Hayange facility.

Tata Steel's rail sector head, Gérard Glas, said: "This contract will provide a valuable foundation for our future order book and keeps SNCF at the very heart of our focus for delivering customer satisfaction in terms of quality products and services."

The Hayange rolling mill is supplied with steel from Tata Steel's Long Products Europe steelworks in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, in the UK.

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