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Environmental performance

Environmental performance

Atmospheric protection
Sustainable management of water resources
High recycling rate
Energy efficient production

Novolipetsk Steel is one of the most advanced steelmaking companies in the world in relation to the environment In 2002, NLMK became one of the first Russian steelmakers to successfully pass the certification of its Environmental Management System (EMS) by TUV CERT Certification (Germany), an international certification agency. In 2013, NLMK's Environmental Management System was certified as compliant with ISO 14001 by BSI (British Standards Institution, UK).

Since 2000, NLMK invested approximately RUB 46 bn in its environmental projects. Since then, the output has almost doubled and the company became the largest steel producer in Russia. Adoption of new state-of-the-art technologies alongside a major equipment upgrade significantly reduced the Group's environmental footprint.

Greenhouse gas emissions at NLMK Lipetsk in 2020

In line with the EU ETS methodology (European Union Emission Trading Scheme), 2020 greenhouse gas emissions for key raw materials at the Lipetsk site, namely sinter, coke, lime, and dolomite, totaled 0.220, 0.376, 1.054, and 1.521 tonnes of CO2-eq. per tonne of product, respectively. For pig iron production, the indicator totaled 1.391 tonnes of CO2-eq., a 5% gap with the EU ETS reference value (calculated for 10% of the best steel companies in the EU). NLMK Group plans to reduce this gap to 3% during its current strategic cycle. This information is accurate as of the date of its publication (11 June 2021).

Today, NLMK Group has halved its specific atmospheric emissions, achieving the level of best available technologies in Russia.

Lipetsk, home to 80% of NLMK Group’s production facilities, has been officially recognized as of the greenest Russian steelmaking cities.

Evolution of specific atmospheric emissions, 2000-2020

* Evolution of specific atmospheric emissions, kg/t of steel

In July 2009, the Lipetsk site deployed a closed water loop system. This helped to completely avoid the discharge of industrial and stormwater effluents into water bodies. Since 2008, NLMK's reduced its specific water consumption by five times, currently exceeding Russian best available technology level.

Evolution of specific industrial and stormwater effluents into water bodies, 2000-2020

* Evolution of specific industrial and stormwater effluents into water bodies, kg/t of steel

Specific river water consumption for the needs of NLMK, 2000-2020

* Specific river water consumption for the needs of NLMK, thou. m3/t

In 2004 the NLMK stopped accumulating waste and took comprehensive measures to recycle. The Company plans to recycle all the waste that accumulated over the years by 2020.

Evolution of secondary resources recycling, 2014-2020