OREANDA-NEWS.  February 1, 2012.  In 2011 the main production site in Lipetsk of NLMK allocated approximately RUR 4 billion on environmental protection projects. To date, around 100 environmental projects aimed at revamping and upgrading process equipment and operations have been completed.

 Despite reporting a 5% increase in steel output due to the commissioning of new facilities ( including the blast furnace #7 named "Rossiyanka" and a new BOF), Lipetsk main site’s atmospheric emissions were reduced by 500 t and are now at a level of 277,000 tonnes. Fresh river water intake was reduced from 21.8 to 21.4 million m3/y. Taking into account steel output growth, specific water consumption decreased by 4% to 2.2 m3/t, which is well below the best available technology level. There was no industrial waste water discharge into the local Voronezh river. The volume of recycled, sold and utilized production wastes almost matched that of waste generation in 2011. Thus, the company has cut its solid waste generation virtually to zero.

 Environmental impact was reduced due to a series of projects including the upgrade of equipment in the ironmaking production line and the dedusting system in the refractory shop. The reheating furnace in the hot flats shop was reconstructed, whilst the secondary dedusting system in BOF Shop No.1 was fully refurbished.

 The Lipetsk main site’s environmental services monitor and control 126 substances and compounds emitted into the atmosphere. Emission sources are controlled by instrument measurements, using automatic control equipment, a mobile laboratory and video surveillance systems. In line with the current legislation of the Russian Federation, the Company prepared reports on total emissions from the facility’s sources; after agreement with Rosprirodnadzor of Lipetsk Region these reports were submitted to national statistics authorities. Copies of these reports were also sent to environmental agencies with the administrations of Lipetsk and the Lipetsk Region, and presented on the official website of the main production site in Lpetsk site: http://www.lipetsk.nlmk.ru/social/environment/

 Pursuant to the environmental transparency policy, the plant arranged meetings with the City’s public authorities and organised visits by public representatives to the plant facilities. These activities will be continued in 2012.