NLMK upgrades its steelmaking facilities at the Lipetsk site

Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has completed the reconstruction of gas exhaust ducts with a secondary emissions collection and cleaning system at its Lipetsk site. The reconstruction at BOF Shop #1 - which accounts for approximately 40% of steel output at Lipetsk is a key environmental project forming part of the second stage of NLMKs Technical Upgrade Program.

This measure, undertaken at a cost of RUR6.6 billion (over USD200 million), will reduce the environmental impact of steelmaking facilities by over 50% and enable the plant to use the collected gases for in-house power generation. The project represents a vital stage in expanding steelmaking capacities after the launch of Blast Furnace #7 (with 3.4 million tonnes capacity) which is currently under construction at the Lipetsk site.

From 2009, NLMK has been working on the step-by-step installation of a new aspiration system for its three BOF’s, in full compliance with the most advanced ecological requirements. Using innovative technical solutions and equipping the facilities with a single highly efficient system for emissions collection and cleaning of dust formed during the BOF loading and tapping stages will contribute to curtailing the plant’s environmental impact.