These investments will be made in all units of the technological chain because of the expected growth in output and expanding the portfolio of more sophisticated products.

It was decided to upgrade and reconstruct the facilities of the Coke-making Plant, namely, to reline Coke Batteries #3 and #4. This will assure meeting a higher demand for coke by the blast furnace.

The investment in the blast furnace shop will involve overhaul of the blast furnace #3, reconstruction of the blast furnace #5 and putting to operation the blast furnace #4.

This year reconstruction jobs will involve the slab making line of the electric-arc shop.

As a result, the electric-arc furnace will be reconstructed similar to Fuks shaft furnace, an additional furnace-ladle will be put to operation and the slab-making continuous casting machine will be reconstructed.

In 2003, unit of desulfurization of cast iron in the converter shop will begin operating, improving quality and increasing steel output to 9 million tonnes. The Continuous Casting Machine will be reconstructed to improve the quality of slab metal and to cast all metal through Continuous Casting Machines.

On top of that, in 2003 Severstal will continue projects in the steel-melting and steel rolling shops aimed at making quality substrate for Severgal’s hot dip galvanizing line. For example, new oxygen block construction will continue with aim to supply new line with tonnage oxygen.

“All of these measures will strengthen Severstal’s position in the markets and change the product portfolio to increase the share of value added products,” said Kruchinin, Severstal’s general director.

21 January 2003