NLMK increases its galvanized steel capacity

The project boosted the line HDG-1 productivity by 30% to 500,000 tonnes per year; and increased Lipetsk site value added manufacturing capacity to produce HDG steel for the construction, automotive, and ‘white goods’ sectors, as well as for further use in the production of pre-painted steel, by 11% to 1.25 million tonnes.

This will enable NLMK to solidify its position in the high value added steel market, in which demand exceeds the capacity of Russian manufacturers and is covered by imports, including from far-away countries. Annual Russian imports of coated steels exceed 1 million tonnes.

The successful HDG-1 reconstruction is unique in the history of the company in terms of scope and lead times. In 90 days, a new automated control system was installed; the furnace section upgraded; and new process equipment assembled.

Alongside an increase in production, HDG-1 reconstruction will also result in:

a 25% reduction in natural gas consumption though installing furnace control and modernization systems;

a 15% reduction in electric energy consumption through optimizing equipment configuration;

a 30% reduction in air emissions through optimizing the natural gas afterburning system (the gas being used to fuel the furnace).

Konstantin Lagutin, NLMK Group Vice President for Investment Projects, said: “Following the HDG-1 reconstruction, we have one of the most efficiency hot-dip galvanizing lines. After it reaches design productivity, Lipetsk site capacity to produce HDG steel for the construction, automotive, and ‘white goods’ sectors will increase by 120,000 tonnes per year. As a result, NLMK will solidify its position in the high value added steel market, which is fully in line with our Strategy 2017 goals. Construction of a similar capacity-wise but a more modern HDG-5 line at the Lipetsk site will serve the same purpose. HDG-5 line will enable us to increase our capacity to produce hot-dip galvanized steel by 450,000 tonnes per year by 2018.”

Investment in the project totaled approximately 2 billion rubles; with a payback period of 2 years.