:Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel Group Stated

Mobarakeh Steel on the Path to Green Steel Production / From Circular Economy to Implementation of Environmental Projects

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Mobarakeh Steel on the Path to Green Steel Production / From Circular Economy to Implementation of Environmental Projects

The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel Group, describing Mobarakeh Steel as the most pioneering green steel producer in the Middle East today, said: The reduction in water and energy consumption, complete wastewater recycling, the use of solar and wind energy, and investment in infrastructural and social projects all indicate the group's deep commitment to sustainable development and a balanced future for both the industry and the environment.

Hamidreza Khosravanipour, Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel Group, stated in a press conference with media professionals: Development at Mobarakeh Steel Group is not a choice; it is a necessity for survival. Since the company's inception, all development plans have been defined with a smart approach, proportional to temporal and national needs, to address the challenges of energy, water, and the environment.

He added: A common question often raised is how Mobarakeh Steel has managed to increase its production capacity despite resource constraints. The answer lies in utilizing technology, optimizing processes, and smart consumption management. Just as a farmer can harvest more produce by mechanizing their land without consuming more water or electricity, Mobarakeh Steel, through technological advancement, productivity improvement, and smart engineering, has increased crude steel production from 2.5 million tons at the beginning of its activity to over 7 million tons currently, using the same number of furnaces and without increasing energy consumption.

Khosravanipour emphasized: A significant part of this success is the result of implementing development projects aimed at optimizing energy and water consumption. For example, solely through the smart management of energy consumers and segregation of uses, we were able to add a substantial volume to molten steel production capacity without adding a new furnace. This achievement was the result of a suggestion from one of the employees through the company's suggestion system and did not involve any increase in electricity or water consumption. Environmental Annex for All Development Projects Referring to Mobarakeh Steel’s serious commitment to the environment, he said: All the company's development projects include an environmental annex. Before defining any project, a water and energy roadmap is prepared to anticipate how the required resources for the new project will be supplied through savings in other sectors.

The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel considered the move toward energy self-sufficiency as one of the main axes of sustainable development, adding: To ensure production stability and energy security, Mobarakeh Steel has placed the construction of a combined-cycle power plant with a capacity of 914 megawatts and the Aftab-e Shargh Solar Power Plant in Isfahan on its agenda.

A portion of this capacity has become operational, marking an important step toward energy self-supply. Production Stability and Energy Security through Smart Development The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel Group, referring to the role of managerial intelligence in the production stability of this industrial group, said: During a period when the Zayandeh Rood river was dry, Mobarakeh Steel was able, through timely foresight and investment, to secure %50 of its water consumption from treated wastewater and sewage from surrounding towns and through water recycling. This action demonstrated that our development perspective is not limited to production but that the conservation of natural resources and environmental sustainability are also integral parts of it.

Social Responsibilities; From Financial Aid to Infrastructure Creation Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel emphasized: Mobarakeh Steel has shifted its social responsibilities from one-off aid to sustainable and productive projects. The implementation of solar panel schemes for underprivileged families, the construction of hospitals, and the development of regional connecting roads are examples of this approach. Our goal is the empowerment and development of infrastructure in surrounding areas, not merely providing short-term financial aid. 30 Environmental Projects Underway Khosravanipour, referring to Mobarakeh Steel's special attention to environmental issues, said: Currently, about 30 active environmental projects are being implemented at Mobarakeh Steel—projects focused on reducing air pollutants, preventing water and soil contamination, and enhancing the quality of the working environment for colleagues. Also, the largest baghouse/dust collector in the Middle East is under construction in Mobarakeh Steel’s steelmaking plant to prevent any industrial dust particles from entering the environment. Water Management; Six-Stage Recycling and Significant Reduction in Consumption Referring to engineering achievements in water resource management, he said: The water used in Mobarakeh Steel’s production process is recycled six times. Through this recycling system, Mobarakeh Steel has been able to significantly reduce its water consumption, ranking among the world's driest steel producers.

This achievement resulted from precise design, industrial automation, and energy management. Innovation in Using Industrial Waste Khosravanipour added: One of Mobarakeh Steel's innovative projects regarding the reuse of industrial sludge and waste in the production process has been recognized as one of the seven top environmental projects by the World Steel Association.

Furthermore, the Mobarakeh Steel industrial wastewater recycling project has been commended as a scheme with high social value-added for surrounding local communities. Moving Towards Green Energy The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel, referring to renewable energy projects, stated: Mobarakeh Steel has taken a major step toward sustainable energy supply and reducing reliance on the national grid by constructing the largest solar power plant in the country and developing wind farms in South Khorasan.

Last summer, Mobarakeh Steel also helped stabilize the country's electricity grid by managing its own power plants. Green Steel with World-Class Technology He continued: With the completion of the Aftab-e Shargh project, 6 out of Mobarakeh Steel's 8 furnaces will operate on green energy. The company's Class F combined-cycle power plant has the highest efficiency of power plants in the country, at %58.

In this power plant, the exhaust heat from the gas is used in the steam cycle instead of being released into the air, and the final outlet temperature reaches approximately 40 degrees, resulting in the least thermal effect on the environment. Pioneer in the Green Steel Industry The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel concluded: Today, Mobarakeh Steel can be introduced as the most pioneering green steel producer in the Middle East.

The reduction in water and energy consumption, complete wastewater recycling, the use of solar and wind energy, and investment in infrastructural and social projects all indicate this complex’s deep commitment to sustainable development and a balanced future for the industry and the environment. Production of Color Coated Sheets and Specialty Steels with World-Class Technology

The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel further referred to the project for constructing the second color-coated sheet production line with an annual capacity of 120,000 tons, stating: This project is being implemented using state-of-the-art technology and in full compliance with environmental requirements, and it will play an important role in supplying the needs of the country's home

appliance industries. He added: Alongside this plan, an advanced degassing system is also being commissioned, which will enable the production of high-quality sheets and specialty steels. Also, the construction of Unit No. 8 in the steelmaking section is on the agenda, which is designed to increase

productivity, production stability, and product quality enhancement.

He continued: In the environmental sector, Mobarakeh Steel currently has over 30 active environmental projects being implemented to reduce air, water, and soil pollution. Furthermore, the water treatment and recycling systems are designed in such a way that the complex's consumed water is recycled 6 times in the production cycle. In some new projects, the reduction in water consumption is projected to be up to 70%. Innovation and Productivity with Modern Technologies Khosravanipour, referring to Mobarakeh Steel's move toward maximum productivity, said: We pursue development not by adding new equipment but by managing existing resources.

Currently, %80 of the company's ongoing projects are innovative and technological, aiming to increase productivity and reduce water, electricity, and gas consumption. In recent years, Mobarakeh Steel has not had any increase in energy consumption and, in some seasons, has even helped stabilize the country's electricity grid. Green Steel and Renewable Energy Development Referring to the construction of the largest solar power plant in the country at Mobarakeh Steel, he said:

This power plant is the first large-scale solar power plant in the country, and with its operation, Mobarakeh Steel will practically achieve green steel production, and 6 out of our 8 steelmaking furnaces will operate on green energy. Moreover, our combined-cycle power plants have an efficiency of %58, which is the highest in the Iran.

The Deputy for Planning and Development of Mobarakeh Steel added: In addition, a 300 megawatt wind farm in South Khorasan and a 600 megawatt solar power plant east of Isfahan are also being implemented. With their operation, the entire dependence of Mobarakeh Steel Group on the national electricity grid will be eliminated. Last summer, Mobarakeh Steel also contributed to the stability of the country's electricity grid by reducing its internal consumption. In another part of his speech, Khosravanipour referred to the water transfer project from the Sea of Oman, saying: With the operation of the new water transfer schemes, Mobarakeh Steel will no longer need to withdraw from the water resources of the Zayandeh Rood and the surface waters of the province.

In fact, Mobarakeh Steel is now completely self-sufficient in terms of water and energy supply. Circular Economy and Global Projects He also referred to the recycling projects at Mobarakeh Steel, saying: The project for recycling sludge and industrial waste in the steel production process was recently introduced by the World Steel Association as one of the 7 top environmental projects worldwide.