Main article: Information Technology in Severstal
Chronicle
2025
Severstal allocated ₽500 million to industrial robots in 2025. How they are used
Severstal launched in 2025 the largest industrial robotization project in recent years. The company invests ₽500 million for these purposes. In particular, Cherepovets Steel Mill and Severstal-Metiz will launch 16 different types of robotic systems in Cherepovets. The automation program is planned to be completed in 2026. This became known on October 6, 2025.
According to Vedomosti, initially within the framework of the program, 11 pilot robotization projects were announced. The company has increased their number to 16 projects, which it intends to fully introduce into production processes at two sites. The representative of the press service of the enterprise spoke about the functions of robots. Devices perform welding operations of various metal structures. Remote control of cranes takes place without the participation of operators. The robot-meter detects defects on the surface of metal products. To eliminate deadly risks, a dismantling robot is used. The metal sampling robot operates in high temperature zones. Mobile robots are tested at enterprises - a robot robot and a robot stacker for carrying cargo. The works are also used for the following tasks:
- Gartzink assembly - The robot collects zinc, aluminum and iron oxide compounds from the surface of the molten mass to rule out defects in the zinc coating. Previously, the operation was performed manually by workers using a bucket weighing up to 15 kg, being a meter from a 460-degree molten bath.
- Cleaning of the steel finishing unit - a dismantling robot with a hammer and a boom departure of 9 meters removes slag and metal spills from the bucket, completely excluding the presence of people in the danger zone. Previously, the operation was carried out by four teams of two people.
- Remote control of cranes - the robot can replace drivers by driving several cranes at the same time, which increases labor productivity.
- Defect Detection - A robot detector detects damage on the surface of metal products in the early stages of production.
- Metal sampling - the automated system operates in high temperature conditions without risk to personnel.[1]
Investment of 460 million rubles in digitalization of the Yakovlevsky plant
In March 2025, it became known that Severstal will invest 460 million rubles in the digitalization of the Yakovlevsky plant. The project plans for 2025 to connect more than 150 chambers for storing mine materials to AI to automatically determine labor safety violations during routine operations by workers. More than 300 cameras were installed in the underground mine of the Yakovlevsky GOK within the framework of the Digital Mine project. The monitoring system identifies employees in the hazardous area. Read more here
Severstal invests ₽13 billion in digitalization
Severstal will invest ₽13 billion in the development of information and digital technologies in 2025. The funds will be used to create import-independent industry solutions, develop an automated process control system (APCS), and introduce digital tools to increase production efficiency and strengthen industrial safety. The company announced plans to finance IT areas in early March 2025.
According to the press service of Severstal, the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant is planning to put into pilot operation two systems of its own design. The first is the Metallurgy production management platform, which will be introduced into individual coke and aglodomain production processes. The second is the Production Planning system for operational planning in Downstream processes. Both projects are implemented according to the approved schedule and the terms of the grant agreement with the Skolkovo Foundation.
The Company actively develops components for the Open APCS together with other industrial enterprises that are part of the technical working groups on the creation of this system. In the first half of 2025, it is planned to release the first prototype of a programmable logic controller.
In 2025, Severstal launched an industrial robotization program. Currently, 11 projects are under piloting, the implementation of which is planned at the company's production sites by the end of 2026.
The metallurgical giant will continue to develop solutions based on machine learning and computer vision, as well as create digital twins. The economic effect of projects in this area in 2024 exceeded ₽1 billion. In 2025, the team's efforts will be aimed at increasing the productivity of units and labor, developing solutions in the field of industrial safety and digital certification of products.
2024
Results of digitalization: ERP, digital twins, technopark
Severstal's strategic priority is to constantly update and develop digital technologies at all levels to improve productivity, product quality and service level, as well as industrial and information security. This is stated in the report of the company, which TAdviser got acquainted with at the end of August 2025.
One of the main areas of digitalization of Severstal is the introduction of artificial intelligence. In particular, generative AI is used to improve labor productivity. The Digital Certification project is being implemented: this is an optical control system for detecting defects in the surface of a strip with a color image, using the capabilities of AI and including a patented technology of two types of lighting - direct and diffusion. Another initiative is the Transformation of the Quality Management System: this project helps employees improve working conditions and improve product quality through the introduction of special digital tools.
Severstal is actively introducing digital tools into the product quality control system. Digital solutions are used to produce products and collect feedback from customers. In 2024, the company launched a new project of ACS "Quality" with a implementation period of 2025 − 2028. Within the framework of the system, it is planned to formalize the process of continuous improvement in the field of product quality. Large language models will also be built into the platform. The main objectives of the Quality ACS are to standardize the quality management process within a single IT system; identification, informing and elimination of events affecting quality; using an AI-based expert system and simple algorithms to help employees.
Severstal also uses digital twin technology. Other priority areas of activity are ERP (enterprise resource planning) and production management systems. The Production Planning platform has been developed, which optimizes planning at enterprises with a diverse management system and an extensive supply chain, provides management of demand, sales, operations and production.
Severstal has opened a specialized technology park. This is said to be a highly efficient platform for the implementation of innovative metallurgical projects. The Technopark provides participants with not only infrastructure and expert support, but also protection of intellectual property. The location on the territory of existing metallurgical enterprises provides access to all necessary resources, including laboratories, computer modeling centers, production prototyping centers and comfortable workspaces. Enterprises, industrial companies, startups, as well as scientific and educational organizations can take part in the projects of the technopark.
In addition, Severstal regularly trains employees on the digital competency development program on the Digital Steel IT platform, as well as in special training courses on the corporate portal. In 2024, the company continued to improve the processes of processing personal data, adapting them to changes in internal regulations. Thus, Severstal launched an updated training course on the protection of personal data, which was held by more than 4 thousand people. In addition, Severstal conducted more than 400 separate training events with labor collectives to ensure the safety of confidential data.[2]
Severstal has spent ₽1,5 billion over 7 years on digitalization of quality control
From 2017 to 2024, Severstal invested about ₽1,5 billion in digitalizing quality control of its products. One of the key projects is being implemented at Cherepovets Steel Mill (Cherepovets Steel Mill) and involves the introduction of automated inspection systems for rolled metal products using artificial intelligence technologies . The company announced this in January 2025.
According to the press service of the company, a new stage of digitalization is taking place at the reel rewinding unit (APR-650) in the production of flat rolled products. The system developed by Cherepovets Measuring Systems Laboratory together with Severstal's IT team automatically identifies and classifies rolled metal defects. Evgeny Vinogradov, General Director of Severstal Russian Steel and Resource Assets, noted that after launch, the system will provide control of more than 80% of known defects.
The APR-650 complex installed on the unit includes four units of cameras and lasers, as well as synchronized with other technological processes of Cherepovets Steel Mill. The new system will not only detect defects, but also transmit accurate data about their type and location to the operator. For training artificial intelligence, a base of more than 500 images of various defects is used. Based on these data, algorithms for automatic operation of the inspection system are developed.
As part of the project, specialists also laid new electrical networks and installed a special frame for equipment. The work was carried out in parallel with the planned overhaul.
The developed system is characterized by complete import-free dependence. The structural elements were produced by Severstal and the partner company. The project will be part of a system of end-to-end automatic certification of rolled metal, which, according to the company, will provide a high level of product quality control.[3]
Allocation of ₽210 million for advanced engineering school
On October 7, 2024, it became known that an advanced engineering school was opened in Cherepovets on the basis of Cherepovets State University (ChSU), designed to ensure the country's technological sovereignty. Severstal has become a key partner of the project, allocating ₽210 million for its implementation, of which ₽93 million have already arrived in 2024. Read more here
Severstal allocates 290 billion rubles for digitalization. Where the money will go
On June 12, 2024, Severstal announced its intention to invest 290 billion rubles in digitalization projects. We are talking, among other things, about the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies. It is expected that due to organizational changes related to digitalization and the use of AI, the company will be able to increase labor productivity by at least 10% by 2029.
According to Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Severstal, for successful import substitution in industry, it is necessary to invest several billion dollars in domestic solutions. In particular, the creation of an analogue of the SAP family of products, which left the Russian market due to the emerging geopolitical situation, may require from $1 to $2 billion.
For 2024, Severstal planned digitalization costs in the amount of 120 billion rubles, for 2025 - another 170 billion rubles. The funds will be used to install new machines, as well as more efficient and modern equipment. As an example, Mordashov cited the introduction at one of the enterprise units of a solution based on the analysis of big data and neural networks. As a result, labor productivity was raised by 5%.
 | We spent about $200 thousand on this decision and have already received an effect of several million dollars, "says Mordashov. |  |
Another area of investment is the attraction of qualified specialists. Severstal is committed to ensuring the well-being of our employees. A combination of factors affecting the quality of life of people is implied: a comfortable workplace, access to high-quality medical services, housing, etc. To this end, the program "For our own: with care for everyone" was launched, to which 15 billion rubles will be allocated in 2024.[4]
Doubling IT investment in 5 years
In 2024, Severstal will allocate 10 billion rubles for the implementation of projects in the field of IT and digital. Thus, the company's investment in information technology has doubled in five years. Such information was shared with TAdviser on February 12, 2024 by representatives of Severstal.
In 2024, Severstal's IT team will continue to work on projects import substitution in the field of industry, ON which are being implemented within the framework of the industrial competence center. " Metallurgy We are talking about the Metallurgy production process management system MES and the integrated planning IPS Metallurgy system. According to the company's recall, the first result was achieved in 2023: the pilot of MES Metallurgy successfully passed pilot production at the Severstal service metal center (part of the production of pipe rolled products), located in the Kolpinsky district. St. Petersburg
In addition, Severstal will continue to implement solutions based on machine learning and computer vision both on resource assets and in the downstream direction. Among the priorities, in addition to new developments, the company named the active scaling of proven solutions to other units, as well as the introduction of language models. According to Severstal estimates, in 2023 the economic effect of new and improved solutions put into commercial operation over the past year amounted to 960 million rubles. The largest implementations were the expert blast furnace system for optimization, control and control of the iron smelting process, the rolling rate control system and the output of slabs from the Autotemp 2.0 furnaces, the pelletizing process control system, and others.
In 2024, Severstal-Infocom plans to increase the volume of its own developments to third-party customers, bring new IT products to the market and expand the list of clients in the field of IT consulting. Sales to external customers, launched in 2022, broke even after six months. Now the IT team has revenue and profit targets, Severstal considers IT products and services to be a long-term benchmark.
"This year, Severstal's IT function will continue to move on the main strategic priorities that we have identified for ourselves. This is a contribution to the construction of the digital sovereignty of the Russian industry within the framework of leadership in the IC "Metallurgy," ensuring the cybersecurity of the production circuit and corporate networks, supporting new business models, strengthening the role of artificial intelligence, as well as the entry of our developments into foreign markets and the further development of digital culture in the company. At the same time, we focus on labor productivity issues - both in the company as a whole due to technological solutions and within the IT team, "said Sergey Dunaev, Director of Information Technology at Severstal.
2020: Plans to invest 6.7 billion rubles in IT initiatives
On March 4, 2020, PAO Severstal announced that in 2020 it plans to invest 6.7 billion rubles in IT and digital initiatives, which is 7% more than in 2019.
In 2020, the company's specialists are faced with the task of developing solutions in the field of materials management and quality of finished products. In particular, it is necessary to build models for informing customers, as well as develop solutions for integrated planning and automatic product certification. Severstal will also focus on creating automated solutions for Upstream and Severstal-Metiz. To improve the quality of data transmission at production, technological networks will be built that meet both the requirements of federal legislation and the company's internal requirements for throughput. Also in 2020, the implementation of previously launched initiatives will continue: for example, the transition of the company's divisions to the latest generation of the SAP ERP system - the SAP S/4HANA solution and the development of the online store.
The company will continue to develop and implement intelligent solutions that can predict and detect product defects, issue recommendations on the production process, and increase production by replacing manual control of the unit with control using artificial intelligence technologies. For example, in 2019, Cherepovets Steel Mill (Cherepovets Steel Mill) implemented a neural network-based solution to recognize the class of defects on a metal sheet at the cross-cutting unit No. 4 in the metal finishing shop No. 2. Also, with the help of a mathematical model, the middle part of the continuous etching unit No. 3 was automated, through which half of all metal entering cold rolled products at Cherepovets Steel Mill passes.
{{quote 'author=Alexey Kulichenko said, Deputy CEO to finance for to economy and Severstal|Most of Severstal's investment program is focused on financing development projects to achieve a significant advantage in the cost of basic products in the long term, providing customers with special solutions, and increasing steel production. Investments IT in the sphere and digital are designed to support and strengthen these processes. Over the past three years, we have doubled investments in information technology and digitalization of Severstal and see a significant economic effect from the projects implemented. }}
2019:67% IT budget growth
In 2019, Severstal will allocate 5.7 billion rubles to continue implementing digital and IT initiatives aimed at improving business processes and client services. This is stated in the message about the investment plans of the company, published in February 2019.
In 2019, the company's IT budget grew by about 67%: a year earlier, 3.4 billion rubles were invested in projects in these areas, TAdviser cited data in Severstal.
Talking about the areas that will require the greatest costs, Severstal told TAdviser that in terms of IT projects in 2019, great attention will be paid to the implementation of end-to-end metal traceability systems. This project is carried out in three directions: weight measurement, machine marking of recognition and targeted accounting of products. The latter can be contact (based on reading a barcode, matrix code or radio frequency tags) and contactless.
Much attention will also be paid to the further implementation of MES systems at the industrial sites of Severstal Russian Steel.
| | In addition, we are working on a unified system for managing production master data, as well as on transforming the processes of customer order acceptance, production planning and logistics, "added Severstal. | |
In 2019, Severstal's digital division continues to work on projects to optimize the 2000 mill (hot metal rolling unit) and improve the quality of steel. The digital optimization of the 2000 mill includes calculating and drawing up optimal schedules for rolling metal with certain characteristics, as a result - reducing downtime and increasing the productivity of the unit, explained TAdviser at Severstal.
In turn, within the framework of the "quality management" direction of steel, the company is working on the compilation of mathematical models that could predict at different stages of production whether the metal meets the customer's order requirements or not. Each steel grade has unique properties, to obtain which it is necessary to comply with the technology and requirements for chemical composition.
Also, predictive maintenance of equipment at the Cherepovets site continues, aimed at reducing the time of planned downtime by switching to a new repair schedule.
2017: Investments in digitalization - 1.7 billion rubles
In 2017, Severstal intends to allocate about 1.7 billion rubles for the introduction of information technologies, said Anastasia Mishanina, head of communications at Severstal. The company predicts total capital expenditures for 2017 at 34 billion rubles. Thus, the company invests about 5% of capital expenditures in the digitalization of production.
2014: IT Cost Optimization by 50%
For 2013-2014, the company's IT costs decreased by about 50%, told TAdviser in Severstal. Firstly, Severstal has reduced its total investment, this is not only the case with IT. And secondly, it carried out cost optimization, including by centralizing and optimizing the number of IT personnel.
In addition, the company revised and renegotiated contracts with the main IT suppliers, including - with Microsoft, with the mobile provider - with Megafon, ultimately receiving the "best prices."
As of the beginning of 2015, the revision of contracts with other suppliers continued. In this case, we are also talking about restoring order in terms of software licenses: the company got rid of a number of licenses for products that were installed on users ' PCs by default, but in fact they did not need them.
Notes
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