OREANDA-NEWS. The new General Consul of Germany in Donetsk, Detlev Wolter, during a recent visit, supported Metinvest Group's Azovstal Iron & Steel Works' initiatives to minimize its environmental impact.

“I welcome the measures implemented to reduce emissions and protect the environment. These efforts are very important and should continue,” said Detlev Wolter, General Consul of Germany in Donetsk.”

Wolter said that German companies could support Azovstal's environmental program by, for example, supplying equipment.

Azovstal has previously ordered equipment from German engineering and electronics company Siemens.

Sergey Azarov, Azovstal's production director, said that the plant will continue to improve its environmental impact.

“There has been a visible trend in reducing emissions,” said Azarov. “Programs were developed to further contribute to improving the ecological situation in the city. We will move forward on making Mariupol's air cleaner.”

According to Azarov, the shutdown of Azovstal's three obsolete coking batteries #5, #6, and #7 in 2012 decreased emissions from the plant's coking process by two-times.