Norilsk Metallurgists to Independently Construct a Furnace
For the Nadezhдинsky Metalworks Factory, nestled within the Norilsk Industrial Complex in northern Krasnoyarsk Krai, plans are underway to manufacture obdurating electric furnaces, which could save hundreds of millions of rubles.
Obdurating electric furnaces are complex apparatuses that turn furnace slag—byproduct of the inverted-skull smelting process—into refined iron and metal alloys such as nickel, cobalt, copper, platinum, and palladium. Right now, the flagship of the "Nornickel" company, Nadezhдинsky Factory, boasts four of these furnaces, processing roughly 2500 tons of raw material daily.
The refined colored metals then proceed to further processing, resulting in finished products like stainless steel. The efficiency of this electric furnace system directly impacts overall production outcomes.
Since 2022, engineers from the Mechanical Factory of the company have developed a unique technology for casting molds—essential components of electric furnaces used for the cooling system. The first prototype of these crucial parts, which require high precision in production, was cast and installed during a major overhaul of the second technological line in Nadezhдинsky Factory in 2023. These prototypes exhibited impressive performance during testing, and now the plan is to produce more than 500 molds, totaling over 100 metric tons in mass.
As a result, engineers at the Nadezhдинsky Factory can self-produce and assemble the obdurating electric furnaces—from casting to assembly—thereby eliminating the need for external suppliers and saving over 700 million rubles on purchasing this equipment.
The new obdurating electric furnace is set to be launched at Nadezhda in February 2026.
(Credit: "Nornickel")
In self-producing these components, the Nadezhдинsky Factory can reduce costs, minimize dependence on external suppliers, and ensure higher quality and customization, leading to enhanced operational efficiency. This transformation calls for strategic investments in technology, workforce training and development, and logistical optimization.
The news of self-production at Nadezhginsky Factory is stirring excitement in the manufacturing industry, as the factory will produce over 500 molds for obdurating electric furnaces, reducing costs by eliminating the need for external suppliers and saving over 700 million rubles. This shift in finance will allow for strategic investments in technology, workforce training, and logistical optimization, showcasing the impact of technology on the industry's future.
With the launch of the new obdurating electric furnace set for February 2026, the Nadezhginsky Factory will not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen its position in the global finance market, as the production of refined colored metals like nickel, cobalt, copper, platinum, and palladium will be more cost-effective and customized.
