MagnitogorskIron and Steel Works (MMK) received the prestigious award for the Main Event of 2020 in Russian Metallurgy for its reconstruction of hot-rolling mill 2500. The large-scale reconstruction was carried out in conditions of ongoing production, with the upgraded mill put into operation in July 2020.

The awarding of the winners took place in Moscow as part of the opening ceremony of the 26th international industrial exhibition Metal-Expo 2020. This is the fifth award for MMK in the competition, which has been held since 2011 and celebrates the most important completed projects among Russian metallurgists with a minimum capital investment of EUR 100 million. Previously, MMK projects were recognized as the main events of 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019.

The reconstruction of the continuous broadband hot-rolling mill 2500 began in 2007. Thanks to this significant undertaking, the mill is now equipped with the most modern means of automation, control and tracking of the rolling process. The project also included the changing of the mill's water supply cycle, the construction of an additional water supply cycle for the furnaces and the main drives of the roughing and finishing groups, and the dismantling of part of the old production facilities. The reconstruction made it possible to significantly expand the size and brand range of products produced at the mill, to produce new pipe grades of steel, as well as to significantly improve the quality of products and increase the production capacity of the unit to 5.2 million tonnes of rolled metal per year.

"Mill 2500 has been operating at the plant since 1960, and it can be considered a true veteran of production. Now it is a rejuvenated veteran, a unique high-performance unit with an increased production volume of up to 5.2 million tonnes per year and a more complex, high-quality product range," said Viktor Rashnikov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MMK, at the post-reconstruction launch of mill 2500. Now, the reconstruction and launch of the upgraded mill is officially recognized as the most important event in Russian metallurgy in 2020.