The project was launched in presence of Vladimir Zelensky the President of Ukraine, Isabelle Dumont the Ambassador of France in Ukraine, Vadym Boychenko the Mayor of Mariupol, Lasad Jaouani the Vice President on operations of Air Liquide and Yuriy Ryzhenkov the Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest Group.
The total amount of investments in the complex construction shall be 78.3 million of US dollars.
The air separation unit capacity shall be 25 thousand cubic meters of oxygen per hour. The complex infrastructure includes a gasification plant with liquid oxygen storage, evaporator and two pumps. The automated plant shall provide a possibility to cut the energy resources consumption by 20%.
Air Liquide shall supply the equipment for this project, while Metinvest Engineering and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works shall be in charge for the project implementation. At the period of construction there shall be created one thousand job opportunities. The complex should be put into operation by the end of 2021.
The signatures were put on the contract on the casting platform of CCM No.4 that was set into operation in March. Developed with the use of the state of the art technologies and in line with the European environmental protection laws, it was the largest industrial construction site in history of the independent Ukraine. The project cost Metinvest USD 150 millions, its equipment was supplied by Primetals Technologies Austria, a global leader in the field of metallurgical plants solutions.
Vladimir Zelensky, President of Ukraine:
- I would like to thank Isabelle Dumont, our French partners for their trust in stability of Ukraine, in our being a free and democratic state. We can talk about large investment projects in Ukraine. Today we've got a signal, very important signal for the whole world, that there's nothing to be afraid of for other countries. This is an important investment project for Ukraine and for Mariupol. What we can see today at this wonderful plant proves that we have a great country with estimable people.
Isabelle Dumont, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France to Ukraine:
- Participation of the French company in this project of Metinvest Group shows our faith in the opportunities the city can provide. Mariupol becomes increasingly attractive despite all the after-effects of Donbass conflict. Revamp of the metallurgical complex and investments in the industrial sector shall strengthen Mariupol, boosting job opportunities in the city. This means strengthening of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We firmly believe that Ukraine and France shall keep heading together to new goals and achievements.
Yuriy Ryzhenkov, Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest Group:
- We are not only upgrading the main production facilities, but also the auxiliary infrastructure. Last time we implemented such project back in pre-crisis 2007. This shall be the first production facility over the past 12 years that shall be built with the in-house resources. Air Liquide company is our long-time business partner, producing the most advanced equipment. This is a reflection of trust to Metinvest. Now is the best time to make Ukrainian metallurgical sector competitive in the global market.
Lasad Jaouani, Vice President on operations of Air Liquide Engineering & Construction France:
- We are happy, that Metinvest chose us for this project. The new contract proves our capability to provide our clients with pioneering engineering solutions, which are safe, reliable and highly efficient.