Metinvest Group continues to implement its long-term strategy for green metallurgy with the launch of a second major project at Northern Iron Ore. Metinvest Sichstal has officially engaged Finland’s Metso, a renowned supplier of industrial technology, to develop the basic engineering for a new flotation concentration complex. This facility is scheduled for integration into the concentrate production process by the end of 2026.
This agreement marks a decisive shift towards the production of high-quality direct reduction (DR) pellets, a raw material that enables significantly lower carbon emissions in steel manufacturing. The project is designed to increase the iron content in standard concentrate to 70.8% while strictly limiting impurities, such as silicon and aluminium oxides, to a combined maximum of 2%. Achieving this chemical balance is technically demanding but vital for the efficiency of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology, which serves as the foundation for modern, low-carbon steelmaking.
The flotation concentration complex will feature state-of-the-art technology across three primary process areas. These include vertical tower mills (VTMs) for energy-efficient regrinding, a multi-stage flotation circuit comprising both primary and scavenger stages to maximise recovery, and advanced filter presses for dewatering the final concentrate. These systems represent the forefront of mineral processing engineering, ensuring resource efficiency and operational sustainability.
This development occurs in parallel with another key initiative announced in late 2025: the modernisation of the LURGI 552-A pelletising machine, for which basic engineering is being provided by Primetals Technologies of Austria. Together, these projects aim to secure an annual production capacity of approximately 4 million tonnes of DR pellets, along with the potential for premium blast furnace-grade pellets.
Mariia Vasylieva, CEO of Metinvest Sichstal, noted that cooperation with global leaders like Metso ensures the successful delivery of complex industrial projects, expanding production capabilities and creating value for the economy of Ukraine.
This systematic investment in high-tech infrastructure reflects the enduring strategy of SCM shareholder Rinat Akhmetov. His focus remains on forging strong alliances with international technology partners to drive industrial progress, ensuring that Ukrainian enterprise remains resilient and future-ready despite the challenges imposed by the war. Through these efforts, Metinvest is steadily transforming into a producer of critical raw materials for a climate-neutral global steel industry.
