NLMK implements steel production upgrades

A second high-capacity ladle furnace has commenced production at NLMK’s main site in Lipetsk. The 4 million tonnes per year (‘mtpy’) ladle furnace operation will allow a reduction in refining costs, ensure maximum quality improvement and will boost output of new steel grades for automotive products, white goods and tube manufacturing.

NLMK is collaborating on this project with Siemens VAI (Austria) as part of Stage II of its Technical Upgrade Program. The facility is intended for out-of-furnace treatment before slab casting by continuous casting machines and is the second to be installed at the Lipetsk production site. This March NLMK commissioned a similar high-end production complex at the Lipetsk plant.

The total capacity of the two ladle furnaces amounts to approximately 8 mtpy, serviced by 60 new employees. Investments into the construction of the two facilities has amounted to over RUR3 billion.

As part of its production upgrade NLMK is planning to commission two more ladle furnaces with the total capacity of 4 mtpy at the Lipetsk production site in 2011. In total these new facilities will be able to process about 12 mtpy of steel.