The Russian steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has announced the shutdown of its coke batteries No. 7 and No. 8 which have a combined annual capacity of 1.04 million mt.
According to NLMK's production program, the batteries in question had been scheduled to be decommissioned by 2011, because of equipment deterioration and the high levels of their emissions during the production process.
The decision to shut down the coke batteries ahead of schedule was taken due to the low demand for coke and steel products in both the domestic and foreign markets. Another reason was the worsening quality of Russian coal which caused faster deterioration of equipment.
As a result of the shutdown, NLMK's total coke output will decrease by 124,000 mt or by 18 percent of the production volume planned for the current year.