Novolipetsk Steel, or NLMK, is one of the four largest steel companies in Russia. NLMK's share of domestic crude steel production is about 21%. It primarily produces flat steel products, semi-finished steel products and electrical steels. NLMK also produces specialty coated steels, plus high-ductility and micro-alloyed steels.
History
Historically, the Lipetsk area in central Russia has had substantial iron ore deposits. In 1702, Peter the Great ordered the construction of an iron foundry there. In 1931, Novolipetsk Iron and Steel began construction of a plant on the site of the iron ore mine. Prospering down through the decades, Novolipetsk became a joint-stock company in 1992 and then in 1993 began the process of privatization by distributing company shares to its employees. The company seems to be acquisitive; see list of related organizations. In 1998, Vladimir Lisin became the chairman. The manufacturing area in Lipetsk covers 27 square kilometers. Less than half of NLMK's output of steel is sold in Russia. The company's primary source of iron ore is now Stoilensky GOK, a company which is 350 km from the mills at Lipetsk.
Business
Currently Novolipetsk Steel located in Lipetsk is one of the world's most profitable steel companies per tonne of production and by far the most profitable steel-making company in Russia, with an EBITDA margin of $2,28 bln. Company's revenue in 2013 is $10,909 bln, net profit — $189 mln. NLMK's assets are technically advanced and on par with its global peers. NLMK is fully self-sufficient in iron-ore through its 97% stake in Stoilensky GOK, Russia's 3rd-largest iron ore producer. On December 15, 2005, the company listed 42 million of its Global Depositary Shares on the London Stock Exchange. Each GDS represents 10 ordinary shares. In June 2006 NLMK altered its dividend policy and increased its target payout ratio from 15% to 20% of its net income under US GAAP. The company pursues the goal of bringing its total dividends over a five-year period to 30%.
Acquisitions
NLMK's global M&A activity has been focused on assets which the company could effectively leverage for processing its low-cost slabs into high-value-added products in its key export markets. The largest of NLMK's acquisitions was a 50% stake in a joint venture with the :de:Duferco Group in December 2006. The venture includes one steel plant and five rolling mills in Western Europe and the United States. The joint venture also includes service and distribution facilities located in Europe.
Since 2007 NLMK has implemented a number of investment projects on environmental protection. In 2009 it stopped discharges of industrial wastewater into the riverVoronezh. As the result of all the activities, the water consumption of the NLMK Group decreased from 120.4 million cubic meters per year in 2008 to 77.2 million cubic meters per year in 2012, and emissions into the atmosphere decreased by 40%.
