The Metinvest Group of Companies is launching its second project aimed at large-scale production of premium DR-rolled products. This time, it involves the construction of a modern flotation and finishing complex at the Northern Mining in Kryvyi Rih.
According to the Group, this raw material is necessary for the production of green low-carbon steel.
At the end of January, Metinvest Sichstal, the company responsible for the Group's strategic investment projects, signed a contract with Metso, a global supplier of technical equipment. The partner will develop the basic engineering for integrating the new complex into the production process. This stage is planned to be completed by the end of 2026.
After the complex is launched, the company plans to increase the iron content in ordinary concentrate to 70.8%. At the same time, the updated technological process will reduce the amount of impurities to 2%. Metinvest expects that the premium quality of raw materials will strengthen the company's competitiveness and secure better positions in new markets.
Three key areas of the modern flotation and finishing complex will be responsible for the following processes:
- pre-grinding the flotation feed in vertical VTM mills;
- flotation finishing with primary and control flotation;
- dewatering of the flotation concentrate using press filters.
“Cooperation with a world leader in flotation technologies gives us confidence in the successful implementation of the project. It will expand Metinvest’s production capabilities and create additional value for Ukraine’s economy. At the same time, this is another step towards green metallurgy – the company's transformation towards climate neutrality,” emphasised Marya Vasylieva, General Director of Metinvest Sichstal.
The plan to increase DR pellet production was announced by Metinvest at the end of 2025. In addition to this raw material for green steel, the company aims to boost the output of premium feedstock for pig iron at Northern Mining and Processing Plant (Pivnichnyi GZK). For this, the company is implementing another project – the reconstruction of the technological line on the LURGI 552 induration machine. The base engineering will be developed by Austria's Primetals Technologies. Completion is tentatively scheduled for the end of 2026.
With both projects implemented, Northern Mining and Processing Plant will be able to produce about 4 million t of DR pellets and also BF HQ grade pellets annually.
Previously, EcoPolitic analyzed how Ukrainian businesses are implementing green technologies during the full-scale war.
