North Korea says it has recently developed a new technology of plasma heat treatment. North Korea's official KCNA news agency today said the technology ensures required hardness and rational composition of metal by using air instead of argon gas. It said on the basis of the technology, various kinds of plasma heat treatment devices for machine parts were designed and manufactured. According to the report, the devices make it possible to lower the electricity consumption by one-twentieth and the heat treatment cost by one-thirtieth. The technology can be applied to heat treatment of various parts, including locomotive wheels, crankshafts, rollers, large gears and cutting tools.