Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has reported the results of its environmental initiatives in 2025. The Company allocated RUB 10.7 billion to environmental projects during the year, cutting gross atmospheric emissions by 7.6% year-on-year, or by 11.1 thousand tonnes, including nearly 7 thousand tonnes of priority pollutants.
Compared with 2017, gross emissions declined by 33% (65.7 thousand tonnes) and specific emissions decreased by 17.6% (2.8 kg per tonne of steel). Pollutant concentrations at the boundary of the plant's sanitary protection zone fell by 23% year-on-year, while the integrated air pollution index in Magnitogorsk stood at 3.8, indicating low pollution levels.
The main driver behind this result was the commissioning of coke plant No. 12, which reached design capacity in 2025. The project enabled the decommissioning of six outdated coke plants and reduced atmospheric emissions by 11.3 thousand tonnes annually.
The dry cooling system for blast furnace slag also reached design capacity, cutting hydrogen sulphide emissions tenfold and reducing concentrations at the boundary of the sanitary protection zone by 42%. During 2025, there were no recorded instances of permissible hydrogen sulphide levels being exceeded, and no odour complaints received from local residents.
During the year, five dust suppression systems were commissioned in the sinter mix preparation and blast furnace shops. Each system achieves over 80% efficiency, reducing dust emissions by 250 tonnes per year. MMK's investment in the project totalled RUB 270 million. In addition, boiler No. 12-bis at MMK's central power plant was commissioned, with a steam capacity of 260 tonnes per hour and efficiency of 93%-96%. Total investment in this project amounted to RUB 1.3 billion. The decommissioning of two outdated boilers reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 200 tonnes per year.
MMK continued the reconstruction of hot blast stoves in the blast furnace shop, completing hot blast stove No. 34 at blast furnace No. 10 in 2025. Overall, four of the six stoves have been replaced as part of this effort. MMK's planned investment in this reconstruction totals RUB 4.4 billion for 2021-2026, with each reconstructed stove expected to reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 1,050 tonnes per year.
A recycling unit for rolling mill coolant was commissioned in 2025, with capacity to process up to 15 thousand tonnes of waste annually. Investments in that project amounted to RUB 900 million. Since the unit was put into operation, approximately 4.2 thousand tonnes of waste have been processed, generating 685 tonnes of boiler fuel. Construction of an acidic effluent neutralisation facility for sheet rolling shop No. 5 is ongoing; upon completion, pollutant discharges will decrease by 5.1 thousand tonnes per year.
Air quality is monitored using automated emissions monitoring systems. MMK became the first Russian steelmaker to commission and verify data transmission from 35 such systems, covering more than 70% of total emissions and transmitting data online to Russia's federal environmental oversight agency (Rosprirodnadzor).
In 2025, MMK completed the technical stage of reclamation covering an area of 11.3 hectares in Mount Magnitnaya's Western quarry. A total of 81.2 hectares has now been reclaimed, representing 52% of the quarry's total area.
MMK also continued to carry out its biodiversity conservation efforts. The Company released 50 thousand carp fingerlings into the Magnitogorsk Reservoir and supported the release of 10 Red Book-listed saker falcons in the Arkaim Nature Reserve. Since 2017, more than 70 thousand trees and shrubs have been planted as part of the Company's greening programme.