The Russian steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has announced that it has begun work on the next stage of the reconstruction of the gas exhaust ducts of its basic oxygen furnaces' (BOF) system, which is aimed at enhancing the reliability of the lines and at reducing their environmental impact.
Accordingly, the implementation of the environmental project in question will allow NLMK to reduce the emissions generated in the steelmaking process at its main production site in Lipetsk by 59 percent.
In June 2009, NLMK upgraded the equipment of its BOF No. 1, and is currently carrying out the equipment modernization at its BOF No. 2, which, considering the existing production conditions, includes the assembly of over 1,500 mt of steel structures within 108 days. Following the completion of this work, NLMK plans to proceed with the upgrade of its BOF No.3.
The upgrading works are carried out by NLMK jointly with Austria-based giant engineering and plantmaking company Siemens VAI within the framework of NLMK's technical upgrade program, and are scheduled to be completed in 2010.
In 2008, NLMK allocated over Ruble 2.6 billion (approx. $82 million) to environmental protection measures.