ENERGOPROM Group which is a leading Russian manufacturer of hi-tech electrode, cathode and other graphite and carbon-based products has three plants specializing in manufacturing high-quality electrode and cathode products in Novocherkassk, Novosibirsk and Chelyabinsk (Russia).
According to industry reports, Novocherkassk electrode plant has started its new baking furnace by loading the first batch of graphite electrodes into the same. The modern heating unit is designed to produce electrodes with large diameters of 610 mm, 650 mm, and 710 mm. The equipment was launched as part of an investment program aimed at reequipping production facilities with a focus on the production of large-size electrodes for electric arc furnaces.
The new baking furnace has a capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes per month. Efficient use of furnace chamber loading will make it possible to fire large diameter electrodes adding to its production capacity by 25%.
As part of the program to re-equip production facilities in 2017–2018, the Novocherkassk plant is also undertaking reconstruction and repair of all the existing baking furnaces, which will significantly improve the electrode production capacity of the company and improve its quality.
The contract between Energoprom and Riedhammer for set up of new furnace
In Mar’18, Energoprom has also signed an engineering contract with a German company ‘Riedhammer GmbH’ to start construction of a new circular furnace at Novocherkassk plant. The new furnace will allow the plant to nearly double the output of premium graphite electrode UHP 610mm and the commissioning of the furnace is scheduled in the second half of 2019.
This project is also a key one in the implementation of the ENERGOPROM Group investment program for the extension of its production capacities and product quality improvement.
Novocherkassk electrode plant is one of the largest manufacturers of graphite electrodes in Russia and Eastern Europe. Its core product range includes high-quality graphite electrodes, mostly UHP (Ultra-High Power). The plant supplies GE to its customers based in Russia, CIS, EU, Middle East, North and Latin America and Australia.
Manufacturers’ efforts to deal with the surging GE demand
The demand for graphite electrodes has been booming across the world against the backdrop of China’s pollution crackdown. As China tightened the screws last year on polluting industrial plants, about 30% of its graphite electrode production has been shut, leading to an explosion in global prices and benefiting manufacturers elsewhere.
The global graphite electrode manufacturers are not prepared to meet the sudden surge in GE demand as the electrodes production cycle is 4-6 months, while capacity building requires up to two years and huge financial investment. In addition to this, there is also a shortage of needle coke in the international market which is the main raw material for graphite electrodes production. However, the major players are steadily preparing themselves to deal with this surge in GE demand as the requirement of the same is likely to increase further in the coming future amid rising awareness towards the environment.
Leave a Reply