KIEV, Aug. 19 – Mariupol-based Azovstal steel mill, which is part of the Metinvest group, is to funnel $1 billion out of $5 billion set aside under a comprehensive program for the mill's modernization and renovation into the implementation of environmental protection programs.

As the company announced, the program foresees the renovation of a sintering factory, the modernization of a blast-furnace department with a reduction in the number of operating furnaces, transition to dry gas treatment in the converter department, and a gradual closure of three coke-oven batteries, as well as the open-hearth, blooming mill and rail and structural steel mill departments.