MMK Improves blast furnace production efficiency

At Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), the implementation of a programme aimed at reducing coke consumption in blast furnace operations has generated an economic benefit of more than RUB 5.5 billion. Since 2024, the coke rate in pig iron production has been reduced by 16%.

The programme has been underway since August 2024 and forms part of the company's strategic initiative, Low-Cost Pig Iron.

MMK reports that the Coke Oven Battery No. 12 (COB-12) complex plays a key role in implementing this strategic initiative. The commissioning of this modern, high-capacity facility has significantly improved the quality of the coke produced, while the share of dry-quenched coke in the company's coke production exceeded 70% after COB-12 reached its design capacity. In addition, a Coal and Coke Research Laboratory was commissioned in September 2024.

"Reducing coke consumption plays a major role in lowering pig iron production costs and brings us closer to achieving our goal of low-cost production and industry leadership in terms of non-integrated slab cost. In today's challenging economic environment, improving efficiency across all production stages enables our company to strengthen its market position amid declining demand," said Pavel Shilyaev, CEO of MMK.