Severstal utilized 120 tonnes of softoil, which is used as a liquid dielectric in the domestic production of power transformers.

Softoil is listed as one of the 12 resistant organic pollutants, most hazardous to human health. Softoil utilization is a problem which was put forth at many ecological forums. On May 23, 2001 it was finally settled in the Stockholm Convention of Measures for Softoil Utilization. Signing of the convention by 111 countries delineated legal aspects of the problem. In May 2002, Russia joined it, acknowledging that the softoil problem is just as important to Russia as it is to Canada and the USA. These countries use extensive electric power networks of high voltage, with powerful transformers filled with softoil. The same equipment is used by energy systems is all Russian industries, including steel-making.

Presently, Russia is in the process of developing a national plan for meeting the requirements of the Stockholm Convention. It mainly concerns defining methods, ways and technologies of utilizing softoil, and getting rid of the equipment, which uses this hazardous dielectric. Russia held a national convention on resistant organic compounds in October 2002. Nikolai Arshinov, Severstal's chief power engineer, made a presentation of Severstal's experience in utilizing softoil containing power equipment at this convention.

Severstal began utilizing softoil in 1998 when it launched an experimental burning unit based on the technology, suggested by Anatoly Papusha - scientist, affiliated with the Russian Space Agency (Korolev, Moscow region).

The technology allowed to utilize 120 tonnes of softoil and put out of operation 43 units of outdated equipment, which was no longer produced since end 80-s. The cost of utilizing 1 tonne of softoil at Severstal is US $ 1,500, while it amounts to US $ 4,000 in the US and Canada. Besides that, tests show that 99,9999% of softoil is burnt in this process, which corresponds with international standards.

Papusha's invention and results of its implementation were highly regarded both in Russia and abroad. It was presented at Technologies on Preserving the Environment for Healthy World - the largest international ecological forum (Las-Vegas, USA) in March 1997. It was noted by the Forum's participants and received an award for the "Achievement in Developing Technologies for Environmental Protection Essential for the Entire Humankind". In July 1999, the interregional meeting of a special committee of the United Nations Organization recommended it for international use within the framework of the United Nations Program on Resistant Hazardous Compounds.

Severstal plans to put out of use 160 transformers and utilize 360 tonnes of softoil. Besides that, it has signed a contract with Petrohimtechnologia to develop technology for emptying transformers and their complete decontamination with view to completely exclude the use of softoil at Severstal. Such technology has been developed. The unit of washing transformers will be designed and mounted in 2003 making use of this technology.

Severstal has a program of further utilization of softoil containing equipment, which it intends to completely fulfill by the end of the decade. This is much ahead of Russia, intending to replace toxic equipment by 2025, and to complete eliminate softoil by 2028.