SIJ Acroni officially launches a new, EUR 30 million AOD furnace

08.09.2017

PRESS RELEASE

Jesenice, Friday 8 September 2017 –  SIJ Acroni officially launches a new, EUR 30 million AOD furnace

At today’s grand opening, SIJ Acroni ceremoniously started up its new, EUR 30 million investment – the AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburation) furnace – which plays a vital role in pursuing the steel production strategy of the SIJ Group until 2020. Along with last year’s investment in the HTL (heat-treatment line for thick steel plates), SIJ Acroni and the SIJ Group continue consolidating its position in the European and global steel markets. An honorary guest at the ceremony was the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor.

With its new investment, SIJ Acroni plans to increase its production capacity in stainless and special steels, and strengthen its position in niche steel markets. Alongside the increased production capacity, the new converter also enables shorter production times for stainless steel grades, and enables greater output in other production programmes. Therefore, the AOD furnace is another in a series of steps taken in optimising the production process, both in terms of speed and quality and it is also environment friendly.

The Managing Director of SIJ Acroni Branko Polanc pointed out at the ceremony that the investment in the AOD furnace was more evidence that SIJ Acroni strives for constant improvement. The owners support this point of view, as they have invested more than EUR 325 million into SIJ Acroni since its acquisition. But the investment itself cannot bring positive effects. “The key to getting the most out of this investment is hidden in our dedicated, hard-working, and professional smelters co-workers,” Mr Polanc pointed out. The first positive effects of the investment are already visible.

Dr. Dmitrii Bochkarev, Member of the Management Board of SIJ Group, pointed out that the investment in AOD is a crucial step in the constant development of SIJ Acroni, the largest company in the SIJ Group and a leading European and the third global quarto plate producer. He added: “Now was not the time to fall asleep on our laurels, which is why the SIJ Group which invested from 2007 till 2017 EUR 650 million was developing an investment programme until 2027, with the preliminary scope of EUR 300 million in investments.“

The President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor pointed out: “The official launch of the important investment in SIJ Acroni was not only the significant achievement for the SIJ Group but also for the Slovenian economy. SIJ Group is one of the biggest Slovene employers and with its investments in technology and employees importantly contributes to the development of three Slovenian regions where the majority of its companies are located.”

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The SIJ Group is the largest vertically integrated Slovenian metallurgist group, and its products rank among the top market positions in the European and world niche steel markets. The Group has two main areas of business – the core business of metallurgy along with food (the Perutnina Ptuj Group) – with almost 50 affiliated companies in Europe, the USA and Asia and some 7200 employees. In 2016, the SIJ Group generated EUR 842.7 million in revenues, an EBITDA of EUR 127.1 million and a net profit of EUR 51.3 million. The Group is present in over 80 global markets with its products, and is one of the biggest Slovenian exporters.

Additional information:
Anja Potočnik, Corporate Communications Specialist for the SIJ Group
M: +386 50 693 184, E-mail: anja.potocnik@sij.si

Jože Špiljak, Corporate Communications Specialist for SIJ Acroni
M: +386 40 465 756, E-mail: joze.spiljak@acroni.si