The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Andrey Mohnik, has commended the ecological projects at the "Zaporizhstal" Steel Works, highlighting it as an exemplary model for Ukraine's implementation of ecological improvements.
Andrey Mohnik, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, visited "Zaporizhstal" Steel Works on July 11th, 2014. During the visit, the minister highly appreciated the ecological projects of the works in the context of the European integration of Ukraine.
At the "Zaporizhstal" Steel Works, the minister was familiarised with the progress of ecological upgrading of the industrial complex, which is ongoing according to the technological strategy of Metinvest Group. In particular, he visited the construction of the hydrochloric acid pickling line in Cold Rolling Shop No. 1 (CPL-4). This project is planned for realization in August 2014. The commissioning of CPL-4 is expected to lower the disposal of process waters into the river Dnieper by 83% and will reduce emissions of sulphuric acid fumes. Investments in the project amount to approximately 730 million UHA.
“With the commissioning of the new pickling line, 'Zaporizhstal' Steel Works already observes those regulations that the Ukrainian legislation should implement in order to demand, in the future, that all Ukrainian producers work according to European ecological standards,” noted Andrey Mohnik, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
The newly modernized units of “Zaporizhstal" Steel Works ensure production efficiency while significantly reducing ecological load on the environment in line with the strictest international norms.
“The construction of a modern hydrochloric acid pickling line is a concrete step towards aligning our production with all standards of the European Union,” pointed out Rostislav Shurma, CEO of "Zaporizhstal" Steel Works.
Valery Baranov, the Chairman of the Zaporozhye regional administration, who visited the industrial complex as a member of the delegation, noted, “Such serious ecological projects as you have seen today at 'Zaporizhstal' Steel Works are unfortunately not yet available in Ukraine. These are outstanding examples of how it should be done.”
Let us remind that in May 2013, “Zaporizhstal" Steel Works put into operation a new gas purification system for sintering machine No. 1, which allowed a reduction of dust and gas emissions into the atmosphere by 10% from total emissions. Currently, the construction of the gas purifying plant for sintering machine No. 2 is in an active phase. The new purification facilities ensure dust elimination from the air below 30 mg/m3 and for sulphur dioxide below 400 mg/m3, which corresponds to the European norms of emissions.
The Blast furnace No. 4 is nearing the completion stage of reconstruction, which includes the implementation of aspiration systems at the casting yard and the furnace stock house. Thanks to this investment project, emissions are expected to be reduced by 25% from all dust emissions of the Steel Works. Investments in this project are approximately 600 million UHA.