Coke chemists of Kamet Steel resume production of crude benzene for chemical, pharmaceutical industries

KYIV. Jan 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The coke-chemical division of Kamet Steel from the Metinvest mining and metallurgical group (formerly Dniprovsky Coke and Chemical Plant, Dnipropetrovsk region) has resumed the production of crude benzene after a forced downtime.

According to the company’s press release, after carrying out the necessary preparatory measures, checking communications, systems and software, the technological equipment was successfully put into operation. The specialists of the shop of the metallurgical plant are already getting the first commercial benzene.

Benzene is used in the chemical industry for the production of paints, synthetic rubber and plastics, partly in pharmacology and as an additive to fuel, etc. At Kamet Steel, it is produced in the coking chemical product recovery shop.

The press service recalls that last year the company implemented an investment project to modernize the equipment of the benzene scrubber department. Thanks to this, it was possible to significantly reduce electricity consumption, which is especially important during the energy crisis in the country due to the massive shelling by the Russian Federation. In addition, the shop’s specialists were able to increase the production of high-quality benzene.

As reported, in mid-January 2023, Kamet Steel plant resumed operation after a forced shutdown due to power supply restrictions as a result of massive enemy shelling.