Europe’s most modern coke oven battery launched in Poland

On May 12, 2025, the coke plant Koksownia Przyjaźń (Poland), part of JSW KOKS SA (JSW Group), held a ceremonial ignition of the newly built coke oven battery No. 4. This stage marks the transition to the final stage of the investment project – loading the chambers with coal and launching coke production. This is stated in a press release from JSW.

The new battery will be the most modern plant of its kind in Europe with an annual capacity of about 610 thousand tons of coke. Its launch will increase the plant’s production capacity and set new technological, environmental, and energy standards for the entire industry.

The project has implemented a number of innovative solutions, including a modernized ceramic array for more energy-efficient coking and a unique gas exhaust system that meets the strictest EU environmental standards and BAT (best available technology) requirements. Particularly noteworthy is the huge feeder machine, which weighs about 1.2 thousand tons, and the combination of a packed loading system with a dry coke cooling unit, which is the first time this has been implemented in Poland.

“The launch of coke oven No. 4 is a breakthrough not only for JSW KOKS. It is a confirmation that we are effectively implementing our ambitious development plans by focusing on modern, efficient and responsible technologies. We are proud that we can not only produce more, but also produce responsibly, taking care of the air quality and health of the region’s residents,” said Jerzy Wolinski, President of JSW KOKS SA.

Ryszard Janta, President of JSW SA, emphasized that Battery No. 4 is not only a modernization, but also an example of how heavy industry can reduce its carbon footprint and set trends in sustainable development.

Przyjaźń Coke has been operating since 1987, and the decision to reconstruct Battery 4 was made in 2021. The company currently operates 4 batteries, and in total, JSW KOKS produced over 3 million tons of coke in 2024, using over 5 million tons of coal from JSW SA mines.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2024, JSW reduced coal production by 9.3% (12.3 million tons) and coke production by 8.6% compared to 2023 due to difficult geology and operational challenges. The company recorded a net loss of PLN 7.3 billion last year.