Finnish steelmaker Ruukki announced on June 11 that it has completed modernization of blast furnace No. 1 at the Raahe Steel Works in
Finland as planned. The blast furnace will reach its target capacity rate during June.
According to the company's statement, blast furnace No.2 will be shut down around midsummer 2011 for modernization, which will take around two months. Before the blast furnace is shut down, Ruukki plans to increase slab stockpiles to safeguard customer deliveries during modernization works.
Environmental investments being made in the same context as blast furnace modernization will considerably reduce environmental impacts and fuel consumption at the works. In this connection, Ruukki will switch over to using only iron pellets instead of sinter as a raw material in the iron-making process. The sinter plant in current use will be closed down by the end of 2011.
Investments in modernizing the blast furnaces and changing the feedstock base total around €220 million. Environmental investments of some €60 million are being made in addition to this. Around €125 million of the total investment is expected to be scheduled for 2010, with €110 million scheduled for 2011. €46 million of the total investment was made in 2009.
Blast furnace No.1 at the Raahe Works came on stream in 1964 and was last overhauled in 1995. Blast furnace No.2 came on stream in 1975 and was last overhauled in 1996.