MINSK, 13 July (BelTA) – Belarusian scientists have teamed up with the Belarusian steel mill BMZ to work on harmonizing European steel standards, BelTA learned from Vitaly Zalessky, Director of the Physical-Technical Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, at a press conference held on 13 July to discuss scientific achievements, development of the Belarusian metallurgical industry, and the industry's future.
The official said: “We've started exploring the matter of harmonization of European standards. Harmonization is not simply reading and translating European standards. It is a complicated process that changes the technology and the way alloys are made. Together with the BMZ we've carried out a project on harmonizing European steel standards. We are now working out a project to continue the work.”
Speaking about the advantages the project has given to the Belarusian steel mill BMZ, Vitaly Zalessky noted that over 600 tonnes of merchandise has already been made using the new standards. The products were sold to the Belarusian haul truck manufacturer BelAZ and the Belarusian agricultural machinery manufacturer Gomselmash. Both companies export their products. The new standards have brought about a new level of quality assurance and a different choice of products, which allow exporting materials among other things. Germany is the main consumer.
According to Vitaly Zalessky, the project to adopt European steel standards was so successful that a metallurgy program of the Union State of Belarus and Russia is being developed. The Physical-Technical Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus will be the head organization on the Belarusian side while the I.P. Bardin TsNIIchermet Institute will be the head organization on the Russian side. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Russia will participate in the projects the program outlines. These projects will help harmonize local standards with European ones but within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, the official said.
Speaking about future projects, Vitaly Zalessky pointed out that metal shavings, which are produced by metalworking processes, are of great interest. “Low-grade metal shavings need to be recycled. We are trying to come up with an integral solution. In particular, this year we've launched a project with Lida Foundry and Mechanical Plant. Together we are creating a technology to cleanse polluted metal shavings and convert them into normal products. It will make a great contribution to the ecology and will recycle materials, which are in demand and can benefit us,” the official stated.
