VIZ-Steel has commenced the installation of a steam reforming facility that will replace the more expensive electrolysis method used during the process of electrical steel production.  Once the facility is launched, natural gas consumption for producing hydrogen by means of reforming will be reduced 37 times compared to the current method, bringing VIZ-Steel energy consumption down by 86 million kWh/y.

The following works have been completed: approvals for design documentation have been received from the state authorities, equipment has been supplied, foundations and utilities have been prepared, three reforming furnaces have been installed, etc.

This project worth over RUB 1 billion is being implemented alongside Hydro-Chem (USA) as part of the company’s Technical Upgrade Progamme. Startup is scheduled for Q4 2013.

For reference:LLC VIZ-Steel (an NLMK Group subsidiary) is a leading producer of cold-rolled electrical steel and the largest producer of GO steel in Russia. The Company exports over 80% of its products. The current GO steel capacity of VIZ-Stal’s production facilities is over 160,000 tonnes.  The Company holds the following certificates of compliance: Quality Management System as per the requirements of international standard ISO 9001:2008, Occupational Health & Safety Management System as per the requirements of OHSAS 18001:2007, Environmental Management System as per the requirements of ISO 14001:2007.