OREANDA-NEWS. CherMK OJSC “Severstal” within the frameworks of decrease in total cost of supplies is implementing the new project of combined fettling of converters with use of refractory products of Chinese manufacture. According to the press-service of “Severstal”, sales manager Igor Nechaev said about this.

In 2006, in the converter shop of CherMK OJSC “Severstal”, the tests of fettling by the converter of Chinese manufacture were carried out. Results of operation have shown conformity of Chinese refractory products to existing requirements. According to these conclusions, the decision on use of Chinese refractory products for fettling of mouth of converters is accepted.

Till now, fettling of converters was made with use of materials made by “NARCO” (USA), and also OJSC “Plant “Magnezit” (Satka). Deliveries of refractory materials from China on results of 2006 made approximately 40 % in the general volumes of purchases of this position.

On the basis of positive conclusions in 2007 the enterprise plans to carry out five working campaigns with use of such combined scheme of fettling within the frameworks of the project. First such campaign is begun in April of this year. Purchase of refractory products is carried out within the frameworks of the memorandum signed with the Chinese company "Minmetals Group".

On March 27th, general director of CherMK OJSC “Severstal” Anatoly Kruchinin and Presidentof “Minmetals Group” Zhou Zhong Shu, have signed the Memorandum of cooperation. Signing of this document is prolongation of the contract for the period of 2007-2010. According to it, OJSC “Severstal” and “Minmetals” regulate their relations for fruitful cooperation in the market of China. The agreement covers both purchase of refractory products and other materials, and sale of metal rolling.

According to Nechaev, realization of the project in 2007 will allow to lower expenses for purchase of refractory products almost by half million of dollars.

The commercial director has noted that it is not the unique project which is being realized at the enterprise with a view of decrease in expenses in connection with purchases and use of refractory products in manufacture. In 2006 within the frameworks of work of cross-functional team “Refractory Products”, which includes businessmen, representatives of industrial divisions and the centre of technical development and quality of technical management, approximately 20 actions with the general economic benefit from over 120 million roubles were initiated and realized in shops of CherMK OJSC “Severstal”.