ArcelorMittal Ostrava to Continue Supplying Environmentally Friendly Heat
01/25/2013 - The proximity to the ArcelorMittal Ostrava's metallurgical plant is paying off for the town of Vratimov in the Czech Republic: Thanks to the company, 500 households in the town of almost seven thousand inhabitants have environmentally friendly heat this year.
The proximity to the ArcelorMittal Ostrava's metallurgical plant is paying off for the town of Vratimov, Czech Republic. Thanks to ArcelorMittal Ostrava, 500 households in the town of almost seven thousand inhabitants have environmentally friendly heat. The heating supply will continue in 2013 while 2012 prices are maintained. The most important advantage for Vratimov is that, thanks to the heat supplies, the town was able to shut down all the local solid fuel boiler houses for the heating of homes.
"Annual supplies of heat to Vratimov amount to approximately 35,000 GJ. These are supplies of waste heat, which is the most environmentally friendly resource, since 80% of the heat is the product of the flue gas boilers in the medium section mill. The remaining 20% comes from the heating plant of ArcelorMittal Energy Ostrava," explains Juraj Lištvan, the head of purchasing, sales and energy management of ArcelorMittal Ostrava.
The idea to use the waste heat produced in the flue gas boilers in the medium section mill originated in 1994. The joint venture Teplo Vratimov was established, in which Nova Hut had 50% share. In 2009 ArcelorMittal Ostrava sold its share in Teplo Vratimov to the town of Vratimov. In 1996 a fixed-term contract was signed for supply of heat energy until 2011. It was extended for 2012 by an amendment.
For 2013, the contract has been extended by an amendment signed in the first week in January. Vratimov is interested in continuing the cooperation. "Supplies of heat and a stable price are a great contribution to Vratimov. They enable us not to increase the price of heat charged to our customers, which, in the time of crisis when all of us have to economise, does not force citizens to shift to other, less environmentally friendly sources of heat energy. Thus, ArcelorMittal Ostrava helps us improve the quality of air in our town,” added Dagmar Hrudová, the mayor of the town of Vratimov.
ArcelorMittal Ostrava a.s. is the largest steelmaker in the Czech Republic and part of the world’s largest steel and mining group ArcelorMittal. It has production capacity of 3 million tonnes of steel annually; about 50% of the output is exported to more than 60 countries worldwide. ArcelorMittal Ostrava and its subsidiaries employ more than 7500 people. Average income of its employees amounted to 32,796 CZK in 2011. ArcelorMittal Ostrava produces iron and steel in compliance with all environmental legislation. It already conforms to the EU best available techniques (BAT) emission limits that are to be binding only from 2016 onwards. The sole shareholder is ArcelorMittal Holdings A.G.
