OREANDA-NEWS. Zhlobin-based Belarusian Metallurgical Plant (BMZ) has launched two arc furnaces ahead of scheduled, which made it possible to manufacture 8,700 tonnes of surplus steel, a BMZ official told.

In 2011-2014 OAO Belarusian Metallurgical Plant accomplished a USD 23 million project to upgrade its metal-melting arc furnace and the dust-and-gas handling system. The upgrade will optimize the economy the melting process and reduce its environmental impact. The upgrade is part of the long-standing programme aimed at increasing the annual capacity to 3 million tonnes of steel and manufacturing products with a high added value.

State-owned company Belarusian Metallurgical Plant was launched in 1984. BMZ exports about 85% of its output. In Jan-Sep 2013 BMZ products were exported to the EU, Russia, the Middle East, Ukraine, the United States, Africa, South Africa. The EU, the Middle East and Russia account for 86.6% of the BMZ's total exports.