Strategic Investment in Wartime Modernization
In a bold move demonstrating confidence in Ukraine'sindustrial future despite ongoing conflict, Kametstal, a Metinvest Groupcompany, has initiated one of its largest overhaul projects of 2025, thecomprehensive renovation of blast furnace No. 9 (BF-9). This ambitiousundertaking represents a significant portion of the company's record investmentprogram, with nearly one-third of the €2.5 billion ($59.8 million) annualbudget allocated to this single project. The renovation focuses on upgradingcritical components to restore the blast furnace to its design parameters,improve performance metrics, and ensure reliable operation in challengingconditions. Industry experts note that this level of investment during wartimesignals Metinvest's strategic commitment to maintaining Ukraine's metallurgicalcapacity and preparing for post-war industrial recovery.
Technical Scope and Engineering Challenges
The technical scope of the BF-9 overhaul encompassesseveral critical systems essential to efficient ironmaking. According tocompany statements, repair teams are currently dismantling the old lining andcooling system as the first phase of this complex renovation. One of the keypriorities is the complete restoration of the refractory lining throughout thefurnace shaft, hearth, and air heater complex, components that endure extremetemperatures and chemical attack during the ironmaking process. Additionally,engineers will implement a partial replacement of the blast furnace coolingsystem, which plays a vital role in managing thermal processes and extendingthe operational lifespan of the furnace shell. Yevgeny Podgorny, Deputy Head ofBlast Furnace Shop for Engineering at Kametstal, emphasized that these upgradesare designed to bring BF-9 back to its original design specifications,particularly focusing on productivity improvements.
Modernizing the Charging System
A significant focus of the renovation centers onmodernizing the blast furnace's charging device – a sophisticated mechanicalsystem that controls the distribution of raw materials (iron ore, coke, andlimestone) inside the furnace. This component directly influences theuniformity of charge distribution and, consequently, the stability andefficiency of the pig iron production process. According to technical reports,the charging system modernization began with enlarged assembly work thatstarted in April 2025, preparing for the main overhaul operations.Metallurgical experts highlight that optimized material distribution within ablast furnace can significantly reduce coke consumption, improve gas flowdynamics, and enhance overall productivity, potentially delivering substantialoperational cost savings and environmental benefits through reduced CO₂ emissions per ton of hotmetal produced.
Record Investment Program Context
The BF-9 overhaul represents the centerpiece of Kametstal'sambitious 2025 investment strategy. With a total planned budget exceeding ₴2.5billion ($59.8 million), described as a record amount for recent years – thecompany aims to implement 114 distinct investment projects throughout 2025.Beyond the blast furnace renovation, the program includes a pioneering projectto construct an alternative power plant using solar panels and comprehensivemodernization of energy infrastructure. Industry analysts note that thisdiversified investment approach addresses both immediate production needs andlonger-term sustainability goals, positioning Kametstal to emerge from thecurrent challenging environment with enhanced operational capabilities andimproved energy efficiency. The systematic approach to construction andreconstruction demonstrates Metinvest Group's commitment to improvingproduction reliability and efficiency even during wartime conditions
Key Takeaways:
• Kametstal, a Metinvest Group company, has launched acomprehensive overhaul of blast furnace No. 9 as part of its record ₴2.5billion ($59.8 million) investment program for 2025, with nearly one-third ofthe budget allocated to this single project aimed at restoring the furnace toits design parameters and improving operational reliability.
• The technical scope includes complete restoration of therefractory lining throughout the furnace shaft, hearth, and air heater complex,partial replacement of the cooling system, also significant modernization ofthe charging device to improve raw material distribution and enhance thestability of the pig iron production process.
• This ambitious renovation represents "the firstmajor overhaul of a blast furnace on such a scale" during wartimeconditions according to Yevhen Podhorny, deputy blast furnace shop manager,demonstrating Metinvest's strategic commitment to maintaining Ukraine's vitalmetallurgical capacity while preparing for post-war industrial recovery throughsystematic investments in production reliability and efficiency.
