NLMK will enhance the efficiency of steelmaking operations

Maintenance of steelmaking operations at such a scale is outsourced in Russia for the first time: productivity of BOF Shops at the Lipetsk site exceeds 12.5 million tonnes per year.

The project will promote the implementation of the most advanced industrial technologies in Russia and the localization of modern European operations to ensure the maintenance of steelmaking equipment.

As part of a five-year contract, SMS Group experts will ensure the maintenance and repair of all nine continuous casting machines and secondary metallurgy treatment equipment.

For the duration of the contract, 274 NLMK workers that were responsible for the maintenance of steelmaking equipment, will be taken on board by SMS Group’s Russian subsidiary. SMS Group will additionally bring in 34 highly qualified experts to implement structural changes to operational practice; supply managements; planning and coordination; and engineering.

Yuri Larin, NLMK Group Vice President, Technology Development & Operational Efficiency, said: «The key goals of our joint projects are to enhance the efficiency of NLMK’s steelmaking operations by growing stability and productivity; to reduce maintenance costs; and to improve product quality. These goals will be achieved through introducing changes to the maintenance process using SMS Group’s advanced technologies and localizing steelmaking equipment M&R operations. Cooperation with SMS Group is yet another important step for us towards achieving our key Strategy 2017 goal: improving the operational efficiency of all production stages.»

About Novolipetsk (NLMK’s main production site in Lipetsk)
Novolipetsk is the main production site of NLMK Group, Russia’s leading manufacturer of steel and rolled products. Novolipetsk is the nucleus of NLMK Group’s single production chain, with assets in Russia, the EU and the USA.

Steel production volume of the Lipetsk site is in excess of 12 million tonnes per year, or approximately 18% of all steel produced in Russia, and approximately 80% of all steel products produced by NLMK Group.

Novolipetsk’s high-quality steel products are used in various strategically important industries in Russia and abroad.