OREANDA-NEWS. The July 2013 launch of NLMK Group’s next-generation steelmaking plant project, NLMK Kaluga, was recognized as the Event of the Year 2013 in Russian steelmaking. The decision was taken by a panel of experts as part of the international Metal Expo 2013 exhibition, taking place in Moscow on 12-15 November. The award was accepted by the CEO of the plant, Sergey Shalyaev, at the opening ceremony.

The Main Event of the Year 2013 in Russian Steelmaking award is designed to support and promote innovative steelmaking projects. Nominations are awarded to the most significant projects for the steelmaking industry and the economy of the country on the whole. A closed ballot among representatives of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, unions and associations, and other members of the Metal Expo organization committee named the launch of the NLMK Kaluga mill the most significant achievement for the economy of the country in Russian steelmaking.

NLMK Kaluga is participating in the Metal Expo exhibition for the first time. At display booth #1c21, the company is presenting the project concept and advanced process solutions, and the key advantages of the new mill.

“That our work is held in such high esteem by the professional community certainly serves as an acknowledgement of our contribution to the development of the industry. Working on a tight schedule, we managed a successful greenfield project, and launched an advanced plant that has become a reliable partner and supplier for its customers, as well as an important element in the economy of the region. In the future, we will be looking to cut the long product shortage in the Central Region of Russia by a third, significantly reducing dependency on imports,” said NLMK Kaluga CEO Sergey Shalyaev.

NLMK Kaluga’s annual steelmaking and long product capacities are 1.5 m t of steel and 0.9 m t of long products. The plant is uniquely equipped for Russia, enabling it to produce the most expansive range of premium-grade long products used in construction.

Construction of the mill began in 2008. Investment into the project totaled RUB 32 billion. The plant is 100% self-sufficient in raw materials, with ferrous scrap supply ensured by the NLMK Group’s scrap collecting network. The plant will play an important role in the sustainability of operations in the region, collecting and utilizing waste and recycling secondary resources.

NLMK Kaluga employs the most advanced environmental technologies. The plant’s cleaning systems capture over 99% of air emissions, several times above the Russian average. A closed-loop water cycle fully eliminates effluents, and reduces water consumption significantly when compared to its peers. Production waste is recycled into by-products used for road construction and other purposes.

The launch of the next-generation NLMK Kaluga EAF Mill created approximately 2000 new jobs, including 1250 directly involved in production.