NLMK optimizes cast iron production capacities

As part of the program to optimize production capacities and in connection with low demand for cast iron, the NLMK group announced today about stopping the domain furnace No. 3 for an indefinite period. The power of the blasties is 1 million 300 thousand tons of commodity cast iron per year.

The stop of the blast furnace will allow the other NLMK domain capacities in lipetsk more efficiently. The decision to resume the operation of the unit will be made as the market conditions improved, the report said.

Optimization of capacities will not affect the NLMK production program for steel and metal rolling. The group confirmed its forecast for the production of steel in the second half of the year and leaves the annual plan at the level of 15 million 500 thousand tons, which is 3 percent more than last year.

The domain furnace No. 3 NLMK was built in 1962, the last major overhaul in which were used explosion -proof flange heaters , ended on the furnace in 2000. During downtime, repair work will be carried out on the blast.

NLMK is a vertically integrated metallurgical company. NLMK production assets are located in Russia, Europe and the USA. The main shareholder of NLMK is Vladimir lisin with the 85th percent of the shares of the company.

Sales of commodity cast iron by NLMK amounted to about 1 million tons in 2012. The cast iron cast at the metallurgical plant is used in the future redistribution or is directed to the production of products and products for mechanical engineering, pipeline reinforcement and cast -iron casting.