Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), a Russian steel company, said it had achieved economic benefits in excess of 5.5 billion rubles thanks to measures implemented as part of a program to reduce coke consumption in blast furnace production.
The program, launched in August 2024 as part of MMK's Budget Pig Iron strategic initiative, has allowed the company to reduce coke consumption in pig iron production by 16 percent since 2024, supporting lower production costs and improved operational efficiency.
A key element of the initiative was the launch of coke oven battery complex No. 12, which significantly improved the quality of coke produced at the company's facilities. After the complex reached its design capacity, the share of coke in MMK's coke production structure exceeded 70 percent.
The increase in the proportion of dry-fired coke and the overall improvement in coke quality allowed MMK to increase the consumption of natural gas in the blast furnace process, thereby further reducing the use of coke.
Pavel Shilyaev, MMK's CEO, stated that reducing coke consumption is an important factor in reducing pig iron production costs and supports the company's goal of achieving low-cost production, adding that improving the efficiency of all processes helps MMK strengthen its market position in the face of declining demand.
