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

Kametstal, a Metinvest Group company, has launched one of the largest overhauls under its 2025 program, the second overhaul of blast furnace No. 9 (BF-9). The main work is focused on upgrading critical components of the unit to improve its performance and reliability, the company said in a statement.

One of the key tasks of the repair is to fully restore the refractory lining of the shaft, the furnace and the air heater complex. An important step will be the partial replacement of the blast furnace cooling system, which will improve thermal processes and increase equipment efficiency. Currently, repair teams are dismantling the old lining and cooling system.

In addition, a significant amount of mechanical, electrical and power equipment will be upgraded as part of the overhaul. Particular attention is being paid to the modernization of the charging device, which directly affects the uniformity of the charge feed and the stability of the pig iron smelting process.

According to Yevgeny Podgorny, Deputy Head of Blast Furnace Shop for Engineering at Kametstal, the main goal of the overhaul is to bring BF-9 back to its design parameters, improve its performance and ensure reliable and stable operation of the equipment.

The overhaul is on schedule, and the modernization of BF №9 will help improve the efficiency of the company’s production processes.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2025, Kametstal plans to invest UAH 2.5 billion ($59.8 million) in production facilities, which is a record amount in recent years. The largest project is the overhaul of BF-9, which will receive a third of the program’s total budget. In total, the company plans to implement 114 investment projects during the year.