Severstal' : Severstal’s 3 billio rouble ladle furace No. 2 project ow fully operatioal

12 July 2017

At Severstal's Cherepovets Steel Mill, one of the world's largest integrated steel-producing plants, commercial operation was formally launched at ladle furnace No. 2 ('UPK-2'), a complex steel processing facility.

The ceremony was attended by Alexander Shevelev, CEO of Severstal, Oleg Kuvshinnikov, the Mayor of the Vologda Region, Yuriy Kuzin, Mayor of the city of Cherepovets and Evgeniy Zolotov, Deputy Head of the the North-West Federal District Rosprirodnadzor Department.

The UPK-2 complex comprises a ladle furnace, a channel supplying alloy and ferro-alloy materials, gas purification, external power supply facilities, and a technological crane with maximum lifting capacity of 520 tons.

Primetals Technologies Germany GmbH was the main technological equipment supplier to the project and a Cherepovets company, Koksohimmontazh-2, is the general contractor for the project.

The new ladle furnace will increase production of pneumatic steel by up to 10 million tons per year and can carry out the full smelting process at one unit. This is one of the Company's biggest investment projects and it will not only improve the steelmaking process, but it will also help the Company achieve important environmental targets.

Alexander Shevelev, CEO of Severstal, said: 'Total investment in the project is 3 billion roubles. 40% of this was spent on the construction and assembly of the gas purifying equipment. The project was constructed and designed in line with global best practices to guarantee that the content of dust in the waste gas pipe does not exceed 10 mg/m3 and to ensure a safe working environment on site. Furthermore, the gas purification will remove waste gases from the existing ladle treatment stand, further reducing the project's environmental impact.'

The project began in the first quarter of 2016. Every stage of the contstruction has been completed ahead of schedule, enabling the company to launch the first melt one month earlier than planned.