ArcelorMittal Zenica has completed a EUR30 million reconstruction of its blast furnace, preparing the plant for the next 20 years of steel production, claims the largest steelmaker in the world.
In addition to the blast furnace rebuild, other parts of the factory were also upgraded including the energy, sinter and steel plants and the rolling mill.
“The latest projects are bringing the total invested in the Zenica plant to over EUR200 million. The refurbishment means that integrated steel production can continue in Zenica for up to 20 years in the future,” said ArcelorMittal.
To mark the project’s completion, there was a special ceremony at the steelworks attended by over 200 distinguished guests, including Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mr Miralem Galijasevic, Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton, which is one of 10 cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Augustine Kochuparampil and Lutz Bandusch attended on behalf of ArcelorMittal Europe.
Prime Minister Novalec commented: “This is a step that will guarantee competitiveness on a very turbulent steel market. Directly or indirectly, 12,000 people depend on this company, which is beyond doubt the biggest company in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
ArcelorMittal Zenica’s CEO Biju Nair said: “This is another very important step on our journey to build a long-term, sustainable future for steelmaking in this great industrial city.”