In 2014, NLMK began hot testing of a new biological waste water treatment system employing unique environmentally-friendly technology for treating coke plant waste water at the Lipetsk site.

The system is unique for Russia, and is based on integrated biological waste water treatment technology developed by Russian researchers.

The Lipetsk site introduced a water management technology in 2009 where all industrial waste water and storm water circulates in a closed loop water system, going through multi-stage treatment for reuse in the production process. The plant does not discharge any waste water.

The new biological waste water treatment system has a capacity of 160 cubic metres per hour, employing the best available technology to help provide a twenty-fold increase in the efficiency of the coke plant’s waste water treatment; and enabling waste water to be reused.

The unique integrated biological waste water treatment technology developed by Russian researchers removes phenols, thiocyanates, ammoniacal nitrogen and its oxidised forms (nitrites and nitrates) in a single stage, while earlier the process included multiple stages. After eliminating the need to use more traditional methods, the plant is now able to remove up to 95% of nitrites and nitrates from waste water.

All structures and utilities are raised above the ground, on an isolated hard stand with water drains for storm water, melt water and drainage water. This helps to eliminate the risk of pollutants being discharged into groundwater in case of tank rupture.