Kametstal completes large-scale overhaul of blast furnace No. 9

The furnace was brought back to its design parameters, the lining was restored, and equipment and infrastructure were updated

Kametstal, a member of Metinvest Group, has completed the largest overhaul under the 2025 program, the modernization of blast furnace No. 9 (BF-9). After the upgrade, the unit entered the blow-up period, and on June 16, the furnace successfully fulfilled its daily pig iron production target. The company said in a statement.

The overhaul was completed in full according to the schedule. One of the key milestones was the complete restoration of the refractory lining of the shaft and the furnace, as well as the partial replacement of the cooling system. In particular, more than 800 tons of refractory concrete was poured into the furnace, and more than 260 cooling plates were replaced in critical areas, from the pit to the shaft.

A new charging device with communications was also installed. Its main components – a charging machine, cone, and charge distributor – were manufactured by Zaporizhzhya Foundry and Mechanical Plant (ZLMZ). The installation was carried out by specialists from Kametstal’s metallurgical equipment repair shop. In total, ZLMZ fulfilled more than 100 orders, producing 210 tons of steel structures.

The foundry yard has also been renovated. Specialists replaced the metal structures of the troughs and key equipment, including the tundish opening and closing machines. In addition, related repairs were made to air heaters, a dust collector, a bunker overpass, a weighing car, loading equipment and a machine room.

Special attention is paid to occupational safety. A new walkway was built for the staff, the blast furnace rooms were renovated, and the BF-9 control room was updated: tiles, lighting, furniture, and office equipment were replaced.

After the overhaul, the blast furnace was brought back to its design parameters, which guarantees its stable operation within the company’s production plans.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Kametstal started the overhaul of blast furnace No. 9 in early May this year. This year, the company plans to invest UAH 2.5 billion ($59.8 million) in its production facilities, which is a record amount in recent years. One third of the program’s total budget will be allocated to upgrade BF-9. A total of 114 investment projects are planned to be implemented.