A group of experts of Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Nizhniy Tagil (part of Evraz Group) attended the International Metallurgical Forum in Moscow on March 22, 2007. The event was devoted to the 15th anniversary of the International Union of Metallurgists; about 200 companies from Russia, the Ukraine, Byelorussia, Georgia, Germany, Austria, and other countries took part in the forum. The team of Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Nizhniy Tagil was headed by CEO Alexei Kushnarev.

The Complex representatives presented their report on the company’s development. Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Nizhniy Tagil is now upgrading all of its core divisions (blast-furnace, steel-smelting, and rolling shops) as well as their power generating facilities. The enterprise is assisted in this by the world’s leading experts: LОI and SMS-Demag of Germany, Austrian Siemens-Voest-Alpine, and a number of others. Over the last three years, the company has restored its blast furnaces 5 and 6 meant for vanadium-based iron production. The furnaces have been fitted with the new loading system, a modern shearer-clearer unit and an improved aspiration system, which reduced the environmentally hazardous effects of production. This year, the Complex is estimated to decrease its share of air pollutants by over 3,500 tons.

What is more, the enterprise launched two new power generating units in 2006 (a turbine compressor with the capacity of 5,500 cubic meters per minute and a new 13.5 megawatt power substation). Both facilities provide electricity and heat to the improved blast furnace 5. Last year, Metallurgical Industrial Complex of Nizhniy Tagil introduced a six-year energy-saving project and thus reduced its expenses by more than 80 million RUR.

The company is currently renovating its steel-smelting production unit. One of the four converters located in the oxygen-converter shop is expected to be fully repaired at the end of 2007. The repair process is based on the newest technologies that make it possible to both enhance the quality of produce and reduce environmental side effects. In addition, a new ultrasound control facility will be introduced this year. It will be capable of testing a wheel in compliance with 13 international standard criteria within just one minute.