SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has turned to Ukrainian company Centravis for a crucial component in its latest rocket project. The order, consisting of 28 tons of thick-walled, seamless stainless steel pipes, was completed at Centravis' main production facility in Nikopol. These pipes are specifically engineered to handle high pressure and withstand aggressive environments, making them ideal for aerospace applications.
Although it remains undisclosed which SpaceX rocket the pipes will be used for, the order was completed in just 2.5 months, a notable achievement given the complexity of the manufacturing process. Dmytro Kyslenko, Sales Director at Centravis Sales America, explained that the request was unusual since pipes of this size and specification aren’t mass-produced. However, Centravis’ extensive experience in the U.S. market allowed them to fulfill SpaceX's needs on time.
Centravis has previously worked with other major players in the space industry, including NASA, for whom they manufactured a specialized pipeline used in the Space Launch System. Established over 20 years ago by the Atanasov family, Centravis specializes in seamless stainless steel pipes for industries such as automotive, energy, oil and gas, and aerospace. In 2023, the company produced 12,200 tons of pipes, exporting over 99% of its output to 38 countries, with key clients including major corporations like Thyssenkrupp, BMW, and ExxonMobil.
