News El 6 Novocherkassk

Novocherkassk, November 22, 2019. At the EPM-Novocherkassk Electrode Plant JSC (hereinafter referred to as EPM-NEZ, part of the EPM Group), a ceremonial commissioning of the modern RIEDHAMMER furnace took place. The total cost of the project amounted to more than RUB 1.5 bln.

The symbolic start button was pressed by Viktor Evtukhov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Andrey Saveliev, Acting Minister of Industry and Energy of the Rostov Region, Oleg Fomichev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EPM Group, Viktor Nechuyatov, CEO EPM Group, and Evgeny Churikov, Managing Director of EPM-NEZ .

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Viktor Evtukhov noted, "The launch of the new furnace is an important step in the implementation of the large-scale investment program of the Russian industrial EPM Group, which it implements under a special investment contract with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Government of the Rostov Region. This investment program is aimed at increasing the output of carbon and graphite products, which are used in the smelting of large-diameter graphite electrodes, and which are the most popular among our electric steelmaking companies. This, in turn, will reduce the dependence of Russian metallurgical companies on imports.”

Acting Minister of Industry and Energy of Rostov Oblast Andrey Saveliev said, "4 Special Investment Contracts have been signed in the region in various sectors of economy, and the agreement with the EPM Group is one of the most promising. Owing to the commissioning of the furnace in the firing workshop, the Don region received new high-tech capacities, new competencies in the field of industrial production, investments in our economy and additional tax revenues.”

The event was also attended by representatives of about 20 Russian metallurgical companies.

EPM Group is implementing a large-scale investment program that will allow to double the production of domestically produced large-diameter graphite electrodes, which is fully consistent with the vector of reducing the dependence of domestic metallurgy on foreign suppliers of raw materials and increasing the share of Russian-made graphite electrodes in the domestic market.

The total volume of the Company's investments is about RUB 10 bln, half of which is aimed at implementing EPM Group's investment program in the Rostov Region.

Oleg Fomichev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EPM Group, emphasized that, "This technological wonder that we have put into operation today is an additional incentive for employees to develop themselves and improve the performance of the company. The electrodes that will come out of this furnace will meet the most demanding quality requirements of our customers. This is a rare story, not only for business, when such large investment projects are implemented very rhythmically, very quickly and on time."

An important aspect of the Company's modernization program is the use of the most advanced equipment of Russian and foreign make that meets the highest standards of environmental and energy efficiency.

The RIEDHAMMER furnace is twice as technically advanced as its current counterparts in terms of performance, environment, automation and service life.

EPM Group CEO Viktor Nechuatov stressed, "We did not allow ourselves any compromises during the implementation of this project, all the materials and technologies used here are the most advanced. But we are not going to stop there, and next year, we plan to continue modernization of our primary production area, mills, as well as graphitization and refire furnaces."

Managing Director of EPM-NEP Evgeny Churikov noted, "Commissioning of the RIEDHAMMER furnace in the firing workshop is the largest investment project of our company's technical upgrading program. The project was implemented in record time and is a vivid example of productive cooperation with our German partners."