A climate project implemented by Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has been validated and registered in Russia's Carbon Units Registry. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by the end of 2035, representing around 10% of the total emissions reductions registered nationwide. It is the first and only climate project to be registered in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia.
The emissions reductions will be achieved through the construction of MMK's coke oven battery No. 12 and measures to reduce coke consumption at the Company's blast furnace operations.
Commissioned in 2024, coke plant No. 12 uses dry coke quenching technology, which has a lower environmental impact than conventional wet quenching and enables the recovery and use of secondary energy resources. The dry quenching units recover heat from the coke to produce superheated steam for power generation. The steam is used to generate 40 MW of electricity through two 20-MW turbine generators, which enables the coke battery to meet its own electricity requirements while reducing electricity consumption from Russia's Unified Energy System.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technological solutions, coke plant No. 12 produces high-quality metallurgical coke. Notably, the use of higher-strength coke in blast furnace and sintering operations reduces specific coke consumption.
The Company has implemented additional measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including optimising the fuel balance of its blast furnaces by increasing the share of natural gas to reduce the carbon intensity of pig iron production.
MMK has carried out a systematic effort to reduce its climate impact through initiatives that cut greenhouse gas emissions. Combating climate change is one of the priority objectives set out in the Company's Environmental Policy. The calculation of MMK Group's greenhouse gas emissions has been verified by an independent audit firm.
"Decarbonisation is an important aspect of sustainable development for MMK. We support global efforts to combat climate change, and we are implementing best practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our key areas of focus in this field are improving energy efficiency and modernising production processes," said Pavel Shilyaev, CEO of MMK.