NLMK Indiana has been awarded the prestigious Gold Reliability Achievement Award by the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), recognizing the successful modernization of its 118-ton electric arc furnace (EAF). The project was carried out in partnership with Primetals Technologies and highlights a significant advancement in operational reliability, safety, and efficiency.
The upgrade was completed within a tightly managed six-week shutdown period, with the furnace returning to operation swiftly. Within just four days of restart, production ramped up to exceed 20 heats per day, demonstrating the effectiveness of the modernization and the strength of project execution.
A key objective of the initiative was to enhance worker safety while simplifying maintenance processes at the Portage facility. To achieve this, innovative engineering solutions were introduced, including a single-point roof-lifting system and an integrated gantry. These enhancements remove the need for personnel to manually access the furnace roof during maintenance operations, significantly reducing safety risks.
The modernization has also streamlined maintenance procedures, reducing downtime and improving productivity. Faster and more efficient delta replacement processes enabled by the new system have contributed to smoother operations and increased output reliability.
The Gold Reliability Achievement Award is presented to organizations that demonstrate measurable improvements in iron and steel production reliability through innovative practices and technologies. It is one of the highest recognitions within the North American steel industry and is awarded exclusively to steel producers.
This recognition underscores not only the technical success of the furnace upgrade but also the strong collaboration between NLMK Indiana and Primetals Technologies. The project stands as a benchmark for how advanced engineering, careful planning, and disciplined execution can deliver tangible gains in industrial performance. Further insights into the modernization project will be shared in a technical paper titled “NLMK Indiana EAF Modernization and Equipment Replacement,” to be presented at the AISTech Conference 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
NLMK Indiana manufactures a wide range of steel products, including hot-rolled and pickled and oiled steel. Strategically located near Lake Michigan, the company serves key industries such as automotive, construction, energy, and agriculture. It operates as part of NLMK USA, which employs over 1,100 people and produces approximately 2.7 million tons of steel annually.
