Information Technology at NLMK

Development of NLMK's information systems

2025: Development and Implementation of Train Autopilot

Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK) has created its own automated locomotive control system based on computer vision and remote control technologies. The safe remote control system developed by the company's IT specialists allows drivers to control the movement of diesel locomotives through the control panel, and locomotives independently recognize obstacles and make decisions about stopping. The introduction of railway autopilot at NLMK production facilities was announced on August 26, 2025.

NLMK's corporate railway network includes 136 locomotives, 3,065 wagons, 19 stations and 580 kilometers of tracks. The annual volume of transported goods is about 130 million tons, including complex materials - liquid iron and slag, which require special accuracy during transportation.

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Фото: NLMK Telegram channel

The technical equipment of automated locomotives includes an on-board computer, attachments, machine vision sensors and special brake system sensors. The integration of a physical diesel locomotive with software creates a single digital ecosystem for rail management.

System indicators form three-dimensional picture of surrounding space on the basis of received information and transmit data to computer for analysis by neural network. The driver is able to control the locomotive remotely, while the diesel locomotive autonomously detects obstacles on the route and performs emergency braking if necessary.

Railway transportation automation is aimed at minimizing the human factor and improving the safety of production processes. The work of the driver requires the utmost concentration of attention, since maneuvers in production workshops imply accuracy of up to centimeters when managing heavy trains.^[1]

2024: Video analytics, IT industrial safety system, electronic work permit. NLMK summed up the results of the digital transformation for the year

NLMK continues to implement a comprehensive digital transformation program designed to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Advanced IT solutions automatically collect data, while machine learning tools help predict and prevent problems. This is stated in the annual report of the group, which TAdviser got acquainted with at the end of July 2025.

In 2024, NLMK launched a number of new digital IT services. These included the Electronic Work Permit information system, through which more than 260 thousand electronic documents were issued. A digital video analytics system is being introduced to monitor the safety of production processes and the use of personal protective equipment by personnel. Projects were implemented to modernize fire safety systems, update fire and technical equipment and improve the safety of high-rise work.

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Фото: Freepik

A special role in further development is played by comprehensive digital transformation. We are faced with an ambitious task: to significantly increase the contribution of digital development to the company's financial results, to update and implement the strategy of digitalization of production divisions, as well as the strategy of digitalization of functional areas, the NLMK report says.

To digitalize the processes of occupational health and safety (OHS), a new information system has been introduced at the group's enterprises. It is used to accumulate data on identified risks and incidents, promptly monitor and analyze information based on the results of inspections. The platform allows you to maintain a single database of incidents, automatically generate reports, create corrective actions and exercise control over their implementation. As of the end of 2024, the information system covered more than 10 business processes and was deployed at all Russian production sites of NLMK. The HSE platform has more than 5,000 users, including NLMK managers and contractors. The system includes a mobile hazard detection service available to all employees and contractors. The solution reduces the time spent on planning and control over the implementation of HSE measures.

In November 2024, NLMK launched the so-called virtual campus: this is a single digital space created specifically for the training and development of group employees. Here you can choose educational solutions to strengthen both managerial and professional competencies, as well as undergo compulsory training. The platform allows you to track dynamics and results in real time. Special attention is paid to improving the system of social services. In particular, it is planned to expand digital opportunities for the use of benefits and optimize access to social programs.

To effectively integrate new employees into the team, NLMK develops digital tools for the adaptation process. When creating them, the emphasis is on the needs and feedback of newcomers and their leaders. In particular, the Digital Adaptation service has been launched - a single platform that consolidates all activities, training and useful materials. The system allows managers to define tasks for accepted employees during the adaptation period and track their performance. In 2024, the company restarted the New Employee course, which allows beginners to learn the history of NLMK, get acquainted with the production chain and the basic principles of the group.^[2]

2021: Sergei Kazantsev appointed Vice President for Production Digitalization

Since 2021, Sergei Borisovich Kazantsev have been work as vice president for digitalization of production.

2019: Dmitry Kholkin - Vice President, Digital Transformation and IT

In April 2019, NLMK merged two functions: digital transformation and information technologies and transferred them to the management of one head - Dmitry Kholkin. He was named vice president of digital transformation and IT. Since October 2018, Kholkin has served as vice president for digital transformation at the company. Read more here.

2018: Andrej Arshavsky, NLMK - how data analysis saves hundreds of millions of rubles

Director of Mathematical Modeling and Data Analysis of the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant Andrej Arshavsky - on the construction of models in steel production and the economic effect of technologies for business.

2017

Personnel changes in the information technology and R&D unit

In June 2017, NLMK Group announced personnel changes in the field of information technology and R&D, key areas of the future Strategy 2022.

Dr. Bruno Charles De Koeman Bruno Charles De Cooman. This position was created in NLMK Group for the first time. His area of ​ ​ responsibility will include coordinating the activities of the research centers of the Group's production sites, developing innovative types of products, improving processes, including thanks to technologies for modeling physical systems, and progressive methods of material research.

Since 2014, Elena Demyanova, Director of NLMK-IT, has been appointed Vice President for Information Systems Development at NLMK Group. Its tasks include the implementation, development and support of corporate information systems and automation of technological processes at the company's production sites in seven countries of the world.

Andrej Arshavsky has been appointed Director of Data Analysis and Modeling. He is responsible for implementing mathematical methods of data analysis and mathematical modeling to improve production efficiency and business processes.

Creating an Innovation Lab with SAP

In March 2017, NLMK and SAP announced plans to create a joint innovation laboratory as part of strategic cooperation. Its goal will be to research and develop innovative solutions for use in the mining and metallurgical sector. NLMK notes that such a laboratory will be the first in Russian metallurgy.

NLMK specialists, together with SAP developers and researchers, will create new developments in the field of process analysis, user interface, Internet of things, machine learning, predictive analytics and production planning.

According to NLMK President Oleg Bagrin, on the basis of SAP technologies and its own infrastructure, the group expects to develop solutions that will bring the technology and business processes of metallurgical production to a qualitatively new level.

SAP solutions are widely used in NLMK

The company told TAdviser that the solutions developed in the laboratory are planned to be used not only at NLMK enterprises in Russia, the USA, EU countries, but also at other world metallurgy plants.

To create innovative tools and solutions, NLMK and SAP will provide appropriate expertise, human resources, infrastructure for testing prototypes and their implementation. NLMK explained to TAdviser that the laboratory starts with a team of 10 people without taking into account the project leaders. These are specialists in the areas: Internet of Things, user interface, machine learning, etc.

In addition, the laboratory has two large-scale "virtual" teams, including all employees of SAP and NLMK groups, who, if necessary, will participate in the development of a specific innovative solution, the company added, the company added. We mean architects, IT specialists, technicians, logicians, power engineers, etc.

SAP expects that the opportunity to consolidate global and Russian technological experience within the framework of joint projects with NLMK will allow it not only to create effective solutions for metallurgical enterprises, but also to help increase their competitiveness in the global market thanks to new approaches to IT, the development of specialized solutions and an industry digital platform.

SAP products are widely used in NLMK. According to the Tadviser project database, for example, products such as SAP ERP have been implemented in the company, including the maintenance and repair solution, SAP HCM, SAP Business Suite, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP Supply Chain Management.

2016: Migration from Oracle DBMS to SAP Hana

In 2016, the transition to the SAP Hana platform with the traditional Oracle disk DBMS, on which the company worked before, was completed. ^[3].

Yes, while the platform is relatively new, but we managed to cope with all the roughness and "childhood diseases." This gave us certain advantages related to performance, with the ability to use new products, "said Vadim Uryas, Vice President for IT at NLMK, after the completion of the project.

Based on the platform, a completely new budgeting system was developed for the group, which made it possible to significantly reduce the labor intensity of the process and reduce the number of its participants tenfold. NLMK switched from accounting budgeting to simulated budgeting, which allows calculating the budget both for individual enterprises and for the entire holding as a whole.

2014: Creating a private cloud based on Microsoft software

In 2014, Asteros announced the creation of a private "cloud" based on Microsoft technologies in NMLK. It integrated systems for unified communications, user technical support, monitoring, control and access control - a total of 13 systems. NLMK's private cloud provided access to all corporate applications from anywhere in the customer's geographically distributed structure, including Office 365, OneDrive for Business, Exchange Online, and more.

As part of the project, the server infrastructure was consolidated into a single data center and centralized infrastructure monitoring and management systems were implemented.

2010: Building an Information System Based on SAP ERP

In August 2010, NLMK announced the launch of an ERP-class system based on SAP solutions. The system includes the following functionality: Financial Management (SAP FM); Controlling and Cost Accounting (SAP CO) Sales Management (SAP SD) Production Planning (SAP SCM/APO) Production Management (SAP PP) Purchase and Inventory Management (SAP MM) Project Management (SAP PS) Financial and Tax Accounting (SAP FI) Asset and NMA Accounting (SAP AA) Business Information Store (SAP BW)

The introduction of a unified information system took place at two enterprises of the group: Stoilensky GOK - from October 2008 to July 2009; Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant - from October 2008 to April 2010. At the time of the announcement of the introduction at these enterprises, more than 3.5 thousand users of the ERP system were registered.

NLMK reported that the plans for further development of the project include replication of the solution at other enterprises of the group, as well as the implementation of the SAP lkz solution for equipment maintenance and repair.

Notes

IT passport of projects in NLMK

{{# ITProj: Novolipetsk Steel Mill, NLMK}}