NLMK Decommissions Two More Coke Batteries
02/06/2009 - NLMK decommissions Coke Batteries No. 3 and No. 4 at its main production site in Lipetsk, representing a combined capacity of 0.68 million tonnes per year.
NLMK (Novolipetsk Steel) announced the decommissioning of Coke Batteries No. 3 and No. 4 at its main production site in Lipetsk. The two batteries have a combined capacity of 0.68 million tonnes per year.
The company said its decision was driven by the recent significant deterioration of demand for coke following the drop in steel production both in Russia and globally. In its production plans, NLMK had anticipated halting the operation of these coke batteries by 2011 due to the significant level of equipment depreciation and relatively high level of emissions. The batteries were originally commissioned in 1959
The shutdown of Batteries No. 3 and 4 will reduce NLMK’s coke production capacity to 7.3 million tonnes, comprising 2.7 million tonnes at its main production site and 4.6 million tonnes at its West Siberian subsidiary Altai-koks, the largest coke producer in Russia. NLMK’s remaining coke-making capacity still ensures 100% self-sufficiency in coke, even when it increases its blast furnace capacity with the construction of Blast Furnace No. 7 in Lipetsk.
NLMK previously decommissioned Coke Batteries No. 7 and 8 (October 2008), which had a total capacity of 1.04 million tonnes per year.
