ArcelorMittal Temirtau eyes natural gas to cut emissions

ArcelorMittal’s Kazakh steelworks Temirtau is eyeing a switch to natural gas in order to cut harmful emissions produced by coal, mazut and other types of fuel currently used at the steelworks, Kallanish learns.

The gasification may be accomplished after the gas-line Saryarka is commissioned, Paramjit Kalon, general director, suggested at the latest industrial heads meetings with the regional government.

“The chief advantage of using natural gas is its lower impression on the environment,” Kalon is quoted as saying. Should the Kazakh government approve an annual allowance of 800 million cubic meters of gas, the company will upgrade its equipment for natural gas use, primarily its power stations. 

Kalon estimates the switch will reduce around 80% of harmful emissions as compared to current levels, bringing it in line with Western European mills. The company is prepared to pay market prices for the gas, and to implement the switch incrementally.