Innovation management

Driven by the need to adopt lean practices and increase labour productivity, we are open to new knowledge and competencies and prepared to quickly embrace promising innovative solutions to improve both technological and business processes – on site or off-site. The key enablers of innovation at MMK are the willingness and enthusiasm of the management team to always strive for more and their commitment to the established principle of challenging themselves to set a new record only to beat it again.

MMK’s management team believes that the drive for efficiency and invention is key to staff development and the Company’s competitive edge. We are constantly seeking ways to improve our efficiency drive efforts. These include regular competitions and training workshops along with the work to streamline the procedure for submitting suggestions, including through the Evolution and Energy Management Platform mobile apps. In 2020, 4,984 suggestions were submitted to expert commissions, with 75% approved for implementation. The economic benefits from work improvement suggestions implemented at Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works in 2020 exceeded RUB 600 million. Most suggestions addressed occupational health and safety, energy efficiency and lean use of materials and equipment.

Exhibitions Not only we tap into best technology and innovation scouting practices, we also showcase our innovative solutions at various nationwide and regional events. At INNOPROM 2021, MMK presented its proprietary technology for manufacturing 0H9 grade rolled sheet cryogenic steel, which is widely used in production, storage, and transportation of liquefied and compressed natural gas. At Archimedes 2021, we exhibited four patented inventions and a utility model. The Company was awarded a gold medal for its innovative method to produce cryogenic structural steel. Cryogenic structural rolled steel sheets combine such features as high strength, sufficient ductility and toughness at temperatures as low as minus 196°C. Another MMK’s innovation – a solution for manufacturing high-strength cold- resistant low-alloy rolled steel – won a silver medal. High-strength low-alloyed rolled steel sheets with increased cold resistance are used in transport and heavy engineering industries.