NLMK Lipetsk turns waste timber into fuel for ferroalloy production

NLMK Lipetsk has introduced a timber recycling process that converts waste wood into charcoal, which is then used to replace part of the fuel in ferroalloy production. The project is expected to save about 2,000 tons of fuel annually and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5,000 tons, the equivalent of taking 1,500 cars off the road each year.

The initiative processes roughly 8,000 tons of waste timber from dismantled structures, pallets, packaging, and equipment repairs. By integrating this recycling step, NLMK both reduces waste generation and boosts on-site material reuse.

The project is part of the company's wider circular economy program, which already recycles up to 99pct of secondary raw materials back into production.