The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko attended Azovstal Iron and Steel Works operating under umbrella of Metinvest Group as part of his visit to Mariupol.
At the enterprise, he had a look at the blast furnace No. 4, which is one of the most modern and environmentally friendly furnaces in Ukraine. The facility has been recently commissioned following its major overhaul. Metinvest Group invested $90 million in reconstruction of the blast furnace. During his visit to the plant, Ukrainian President was accompanied by Yuri Ryzhenkov, Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest Group, Enver Tskitishvili, General Director of Azovstal, and Yuri Zinchenko, General Director of Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works.
The head of state met with the steelworkers and honored Metinvest’s significant contribution to modernization of Ukrainian industry. Petro Poroshenko stated that investments channeled today to the mining and metals sector “guarantee us increased exports, higher budget revenues, stronger national currency and improved living standards of Ukrainians – this is what the national government should work for”.
In fact, blast furnace No. 4 was rebuilt from scratch in the course of its major overhaul, having its shell replaced, refractory lining and a new cooling system installed. Moreover, Azovstal built a modern pump-and-accumulator station and equipped the facility with a computer-aided management system, state-of-the-art control and measuring instruments, sensors and automation devices.
The upgraded blast furnace will enable cheaper production and reduce coke consumption by 15% by using more efficient technologies. This will make Azovstal’s products more competitive in the international markets. The President promised support to the metallurgists: “We will continue doing everything we can to ensure greater supplies of raw materials and spare parts here, so that the revenues are higher and salaries are higher”.
Modern air purification equipment worth $12.7 million was installed as part of the reconstruction initiative. A new cast house aspiration system coupled with a high-capacity bag filter will remove up to 99% of dust and eliminate the brown smoke emissions, ensuring the performance that meets European environmental standards.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko: “Ukrainian flag will fly over liberated Donbass – Donetsk and Luhansk. I am dreaming about it. And now I am confident in that, after meeting you and looking at the new, efficient, upgraded, more productive, the most environmentally friendly and cost-efficient blast furnace. This is our common symbol of victory. For me, success stories of Ukrainian investment potential are extremely important, and your plant is one of the showpieces”.
Metinvest Group CEO Yuri Ryzhenkov: “We have demonstrated the pride of Metinvest Group to the President of Ukraine: overhauled and upgraded blast furnace No. 4 at Azovstal that has just been put into operation. Both the country’s leadership and we seek to see as many of such projects as possible in Ukrainian industry, because they mean new jobs, foreign currency revenues of the country, and improved environmental situation. To achieve this goal, the government and business should work together. The President’s visit to Azovstal is one of important steps on this way”. (SCMholding/Ukrainian metal)
