OREANDA-NEWS.  February 21, 2012. Novolipetsk (NLMK’s main production site in Lipetsk) has started hot tests at its new 2 mtpy ladle furnace (LF). Its operational features will allow expansion of the Company’s product mix by enabling production of high-quality steel for the automotive industry, construction, the manufacture of white goods and electrical engineering.

 The new LF will be used for the secondary treatment of steel prior to casting at continuous casting machines. As a result, the Company will be able to improve quality by reducing the amount of non-metallic inclusions, as well as achieving ultra-low sulfur content (as low as 0.001%) in its steel. An advanced fume extraction and gas cleaning system at the facility will ensure top quality cleaning from process gases and dust.

 A similar facility was started up last year. The total cost of the two LFs is about RUR2.6 bn. The project was carried out together with Siemens VAI as part of Stage II of NLMK’s Technical Upgrade Programme. The new LF will be the fourth of its kind commissioned in Lipetsk (two 4 mtpy LFs were launched in 2010), bringing the total capacity of LFs at the Lipetsk site to 12 mtpy.

For reference:
The new LFs at NLMK's main production site in Lipetsk are part of the BOF Shop secondary metallurgy complex, along with ten ladle metallurgy furnaces (LMFs) and two RH vacuum degassers of 400 ktpy and 4 mtpy capacity, respectively.