China produces the strongest gas transmission pipeline steel

According to this news, Shanghai Baosteel has produced X120, the world's strongest gas transmission pipeline steel.

Only three other companies in the world -- Nippon Steel, Sumitomo Metals and Germany's Europipe -- have the technology to produce this kind of steel.

The first batch of steel has been sent to pipeline makers for trial production, officials with the company said.

X120 (X is a pipe strength symbol) is the world's strongest gas transmission pipeline steel, and is 50 percent stronger than X80, the steel is mainly used in today's gas transmission pipelines.

X120's resistance to low temperatures and to collapse means that it performs well in cold regions and in deep-water offshore areas, where gas fields are usually found, sources said.