Yesterday the world marked the anniversary of the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. In a solemn ceremony, national and international leaders gathered to honour the memory of the liquidators who responded to the events of 1986. As we pause to reflect on their sacrifice, SCM also looks to the present and future of nuclear safety in Ukraine. We are deeply proud of the role our steel company Metinvest has played as a key technical partner in protecting Ukrainians from radiation.
The construction of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement was an unprecedented global effort. Forty countries financed the new facility, making it a prime example of international collaboration for environmental security. After nine years of construction work, the site was transformed by the completion of a giant steel arch-shaped shelter. This impressive engineering achievement is the world's largest mobile steel structure on land. The immense scale of the facility is evident in its weight, which is 3.5 times heavier than the Eiffel Tower. It is large enough to accommodate the Stade de France or the Statue of Liberty.
Building such a structure required materials of exceptional quality. The steel used for the New Safe Confinement had to contain a minimum of impurities and be capable of withstanding aggressive environments. To meet these exact requirements, including chemical composition restrictions regarding phosphorus and sulphur, Metinvest developed special high-resistance steel. This ensures the metal has an increased toughness so that it will not corrode for many years under any operating conditions.
The scope of Metinvest's contribution was substantial. In total, the shelter required 25,000 tonnes of steel structures. Italy's Metinvest Trametal supplied 13,300 tonnes of high-strength plates for the project. Additionally, our Mariupol-based Azovstal facility sourced over 2,000 tonnes of high-quality sheets.
Two elements make this a ground-breaking facility: the complex construction method that protects from radiation, and the advanced design that preserves the site for the next century. Through the dedication of Metinvest's metallurgists and the combined efforts of international contractors, the New Safe Confinement stands as a vital protective barrier. SCM continues to prioritise industrial excellence and sustainable solutions that contribute to the safety and well-being of Ukraine and Europe.
