EUR 30 million reconstruction of the blast furnace prepares ArcelorMittal Zenica for the next 20 years of steel production.

ArcelorMittal Zenica announces the completion of a EUR 30 million project to rebuild the blast furnace and upgrade other areas of the factory, 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 EUR 200 million. The refurbishment means that integrated steel production can continue in Zenica for up to 20 years into the future.

The project’s completion was marked with a ceremony in the heart of the steel works, attended by over 200 distinguished guests, including Prime Minister of the F ederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Fadil Novalic and Mr. Miralem Galijasevic, Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton. Augustine Kochuparampil and Lutz Bandusch attended on behalf of ArcelorMittal Europe.

Addressing the guests, Federal Prime Minister Novalic 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.”

Cantonal Prime Minister Galijasevic also welcomed the achievement: “The Zenica-Doboj Canton is the leader of export precisely thanks to ArcelorMittal, which is the backbone of development here. The general repair of the blast furnace is very important for the local economy as ArcelorMittal Zenica is the biggest exporter in Zenica-Doboj canton and Bosnia and Hercegovina.”

The CEO of ArcelorMittal Zenica, Biju Nair underlined the importance of the project to the city’s future: “This is another very important step on our journey to build a long-term, sustainable future for steelmaking in this great industrial city. It underlines our strong and continuing commitment to the future, which begins right here, today.

“We will continue to invest in the infrastructure of the factory, bringing further improvements in our ecological performance and our production capability. At the same time, we will continue to support, develop and encourage the young managers, engineers and production staff who will write the next chapter in the story of steel in Zenica.”

The lead contractor responsible for project delivery was the specialist Dutch company, Danieli Corus, supported by many local contractors.