Without oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, it is impossible to imagine modern metallurgy. These technical gases are an indispensable part of the steelmaking process. SUE «BMZ-GKS» – an enterprise that has been supplying these gases to the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant for over 11 years, while expanding its circle of other consumers and entering new markets. To learn what the gas-oxygen plant lives on today, read our article.

How It All Began

Alexander Sotnikov.

Enterprise Director Alexander Sotnikov said that in 2012, the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant underwent a comprehensive modernization. To increase steel smelting and casting, it was necessary not only to reconstruct electric arc furnaces but also to address the fundamental question: how to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to production. The launch of the new gas-oxygen plant fully met the growing oxygen and other technical gas needs of ESPC-1 and ESPC-2.

To implement the project, external investments were attracted. The founders included JSC «BMZ – the management company of the BMK holding», as well as several foreign partners. To support the project, the Gomel Regional Executive Committee signed an investment agreement with the company providing benefits. A loan for the purchase of expensive equipment amounting to more than 18 million euros was provided by JSC «Belarusbank». The Belarusian Metallurgical Plant provided substantial support to the new enterprise.

On May 28, 2015, production was launched, and on June 13 the first shipment of oxygen to BMZ took place. Within the following week, GKS delivered the first million cubic meters of product to the plant.

The station provides technical gases not only to enterprises in Zhlobin, but to the entire country of Belarus. Among its major internal consumers are OJSC "BELAZ," the management company of the "BELAZ-HOLDING" holding, UP "Gomelvtorchermet," ZAO "ATLANT," OJSC "Belmedsteklo," UP "Mogilevvtorchermet," OJSC "Gomelstroymaterialy," NP LLC "EUROGROUP," LLC "Technical Gases," and others.

The export direction is also developing actively. Today, SOO "BMZ-GKS" successfully cooperates with Russian companies, including LLC "Arno," LLC "NII KM," ZAO "Nevsky Carbonic Acid Plant," and LLC "GazZa.

The equipment installed at the enterprise allows for the production of goods that exceed GOST standards. In this regard, in 2017, station specialists developed their own technical specifications (TU).

Prestigious awards have become confirmation of the effectiveness of SOO "BMZ-GKS." Thus, in 2017, the enterprise was honored with the "Professional Olympus" award in the "Triumph of the Year" category. Later, the SOO "BMZ-GKS" project was recognized as the best investment solution for 2013–2016 by OJSC "ASB Belarusbank." And in 2019, the company became a laureate of the republican contest "Bison of the Economy" in the "For the Organization of Highly Efficient Production" category.

The enterprise pays great attention to charity—providing financial assistance to the Zhlobin city organization of the "Belarusian Union of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan," the sanatorium kindergarten No. 1, the Oktyabrskaya basic school, and others. SOO "BMZ-GKS" is also one of the official sponsors of the hockey club "Metallurg."

The team of professionals

Currently, the gas and oxygen station is serviced by 37 people: air separation operators, engineers, cylinder fillers, instrumentation and automation mechanics, electricians, drivers, accountants, procurement and sales specialists. The team is small but cohesive. Everyone works with full dedication. The enterprise has a good tradition: once every five years, on Chemist's Day, the names of the best employees who have made a significant contribution to the development of production are entered into a special Book of Honor. This list is opened by Director Alexander Sotnikov, leading procurement and sales specialist Tamara Avramchik, and Chief Engineer Pyotr Kovalenko.

Vitaly Simonchik.

Valery Lysenko.

Evgeny Kiryanov.

The high technical level of the enterprise is also noted by its employees. Leading electrician Konstantin Grishkov, who has worked at the GKS for more than ten years, notes: "The equipment at our enterprise is automated. A wide range of tasks and advanced technology make the work truly interesting, allowing constant professional growth."

Air separation apparatus operators Vitaly Simonchik and Valery Lysenko emphasize: "Our work requires solid knowledge and utmost attention. Every action must be thought through. It is important to intervene in the process in a timely manner to avoid equipment shutdown."

Cylinder filler Yevgeny Kiryanov added that the production of technical gases is a rare and highly sought-after field in Belarus. He considers the main aspect of his work to be the quality of the produced products and strict compliance with occupational safety requirements, which receive primary attention at the gas-oxygen station.

Lyudmila KRICHKO.

Photo by the author.