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NLMK Group

nlmk · LSE Utilities
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Industry Packaged Foods
Employees 10,000+
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FY2020 Annual Report · NLMK Group
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ANNUAL
REPORT

Statement by member  
of the NLMK Board of Directors 

2

ABOUT THE COMPANY

4

OUR TEAM

Strategy and business review 

Our results 

Five-year highlights 

6

36

45

Stakeholder dialogue 

Supply chain management 

Human rights 

Our employees 

Occupational health and safety 

Developing local communities    

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

Corporate governance  

Operational control  
and risk management   

Information for shareholders  
and investors 

46

48

80

91

ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION

Environmental protection 

Climate change  

Energy efficiency 

94

96

104

112

118

138

150

160

162

186

202 

Appendix 

212

PRELIMINARILY APPROVED BY  
NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 
MINUTES NO. 279 D.D. 22.03.2021

APPROVED BY NLMK GENERAL  
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS,  
MINUTES NO. 62 D.D. 29.04.2021

 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STATEMENT BY MEMBER  
OF NLMK BOARD  
OF DIRECTORS

 GRI 102-14 

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

Here at NLMK Group, sustainable 
development considerations are 
embedded into the design of our  
long-term development strategy.  
This is how we make our contribution 
to the Sustainable Development  
Goals as a UN Global Compact 
participant.

Aware of the gravity of global  
climate change implications,  
we are committed to reducing our 
environmental footprint. This year 
NLMK Group published its first report 
in line with the recommendations of 
the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures. The report 
features a climate risk analysis  
and an updated target to reduce 
specific greenhouse gas emissions  
by 2023 (−3.5% vs. 2019). Over  
the past five years we have already 
reduced our СО2 emissions per tonne 
of product1 by 4%: from 1.98 in 2016 
to 1.902 in 2020. The new target 
to cut greenhouse gas emissions 
is backed up by a portfolio of tangible 
projects designed to boost energy 
efficiency and reduce consumption 
of carbon-based fuels. In addition, 
we are testing out innovative 
decarbonization technologies and 
enhancing environmental and climate 
cooperation with our Russian and 
international partners. 

In 2019–2020, we implemented several environmental projects at our flagship site in 
Lipetsk. Their controlled emission reduction effect (for substances other than СО2) 
totalled 9,000 tonnes (-3% vs. 2018). Upgrades at our blast furnace and steelmaking 
operations enabled these units to reduce their emissions by 95%. The projects 
involved best available technologies that can capture 99.9% of dust and reduce  
the Company’s environmental impact despite growing output.

Substantial environmental investments ($1.3 billion since 2000) halved NLMK Group’s 
specific emissions: from 43.3 to 19.8 kg/tonne of steel. Total emissions decreased 
by 10%, even as steel output nearly doubled.

We have also made significant strides in other sustainable development areas.  
The Company completed a planned audit of management systems for the environment, 
energy efficiency, occupational health, and industrial safety. NLMK Group’s Russian 
companies confirmed that their current management systems fully comply with  
all the requirements of international standards. In 2020, the Company continued  
to introduce new tools and programmes to improve safety. As a result, the rate  
of severe injuries among employees and contractors went down by 30% compared  
to 2019.

NLMK Group seeks to build long-term partnerships with stakeholders.  
In our cooperation we are mindful of all parties complying with legislation  
in the field of human rights, occupational health and safety, labour relations,  
and environmental protection.

The Company’s performance was reflected in upgrades of our ESG ratings.  
In the Sustainalytics rating, NLMK ranks among the top 5 out of 142 companies1. 
Likewise, SAM S&P Global increased our sustainable development score year-on-year2.  
We also ranked sixth in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Russia and National Rating 
Agency’s Environmental Transparency Rating of Mining & Metals Companies, 
improving our standing by three positions compared to 2019.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all shareholders, clients, and partners 
who believe in us and work alongside us.

Oleg Bagrin
Member of the NLMK Board of Directors 

1  Specific СО2 emissions are calculated based on steel output taking into account pig iron production, since NLMK’s commercial pig iron output increased 
significantly in 2020 compared to previous periods amid concurrent upgrades at steelmaking operations. Pig iron production and operations upstream  
of it account for the bulk of СО2 emissions. 

2  Specific emissions without the influence of temporary factors associated with a decrease in production.

1  https://www.sustainalytics.com/esg-rating/novolipetsk-steel/1028285007/
2  https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/yearbook/ranking/

2

3

ANNUALREPORT   2020ABOUT THE

6  Strategy and business review

36  Our results

45  Five-year highlights

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STRATEGY AND  
BUSINESS REVIEW

2020 KEY PERFORMANCE  
INDICATORS

OPERATING INDICATORS 2020

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Production

Sales to third parties

IRON ORE

18.5 m t 

flat yoy 

0.8 m t 

+57% yoy 

FLAT STEEL

14.7 m t 

+8% yoy 

14.9 m t 

+5% yoy 

LONG STEEL

2.7 m t 

−1% yoy 

2.6 m t 

−7% yoy 

REVENUE,  
$ BN

NET PROFIT,  
$ BN

EARNINGS PER SHARE, 
$/SHARE

12.0

10.6

10.1

9.2

−13.2%

7.6

2.2

−7.7%

1.5

0.9

1.3

1.2

0.16

0.37

0.24

0.22 0.21

−4.5%

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

EBITDA,  
$ BN

EBITDA MARGIN, 
%

NET DEBT / EBITDA, 
Х

3.6

+3%

2.7

2.6

2.6

25

26

30

24

+5 p.p.

29

+34.3%

0.94

0.70

1.9

0.39 0.35

0.25

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

FREE CASH FLOW, 
$ BN

DIVIDENDS1, 
$ BN

DIVIDENDS / FCF, 
%

2.0

−26.7%

1.3

1.1

1.5

1.1

1.4

0.9

2.1

1.6

1.7

+6.3%

113

104 104

84

+54 p.p.

158

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

1  Dividends accrued include Q4 2020 dividends in the amount of RUB 7.25 per share recommended by the Board of Directors for paying out on  

11 February 2020 and are subject for approval by the Meeting of Shareholders.

6

7

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ABOUT THE COMPANY

 GRI 102-7 

NLMK Group is the largest integrated steelmaker in Russia and one of the most 
efficient in the world  GRI 102-1 .

NLMK Group’s steel products are used in various industries, from construction  
and machine building to the manufacturing of power-generating equipment  
and offshore wind turbines.

NLMK operates production facilities in Russia, Europe, and the United States.  
The Company’s steel production capacity is 18.5 m t per year1  GRI 102-4 .

NLMK has a highly competitive cash cost among global manufacturers and one  
of the highest profitability levels in the industry. In 2020, the Company generated  
$9.2 bn in revenue and $2.6 bn in EBITDA. Net debt/EBITDA stood at 0.94х.  
The Company has investment grade credit ratings from S&P, Moody’s, Fitch,  
and Expert RA.

NLMK’s ordinary shares with a 20.7% free-float are traded on the Moscow Stock 
Exchange (ticker “NLMK”) and its global depositary shares are traded on the London 
Stock Exchange (ticker “NLMK:LI”). The Company’s share capital is divided into 
5,993,227,240 shares with a par value of RUB 1.

NLMK GROUP

No. 1 steelmaker by volume in Russia 

Efficient vertical integration 

Cost-efficient steelmaker

High profitability 

Sustainable financial position 

High sustainability standards

WHAT WE MAKE

 GRI 102-2 

NLMK is a leading supplier of high-quality steel products in key sales markets.  
NLMK has a balanced product mix that includes semi-finished, high value-added,  
and niche products. Flat steel accounts for around 85% of total output, while  
long steel used in construction makes up 15% of production.

NLMK SALES IN 20201

Sales, m t

Share in total 
sales, %

Pig iron

Slabs

Hot-rolled steel

Hot-rolled steel plate

Cold-rolled steel

Galvanized steel

Pre-painted steel

Non-grain-oriented 
electrical steel

Grain-oriented 
electrical steel

Billet

Long products

Metalware

Total

High value-added products

1.5

3.1

4.9

1.0

1.9

1.4

0.5

0.3

0.3

0.3

2.0

0.3

8

18

28

5

11

8

3

2

2

2

11

2

17.5

100

1  Taking into account the capacity growth at the Lipetsk site following the completion of two-year 

large-scale repairs in the end of 2020.

1  NLMK sales to third parties (with NBH)

8

9

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR PRODUCTS

SEMIS

PLATE

HOT-ROLLED STEEL

COLD-ROLLED STEEL

COATED STEEL

ELECTRICAL STEEL

LONG PRODUCTS

METALWARE

Share of total sales

Share of total sales

28%

5%

28%

11%

11%

4%

11%

2%

Description

Pig iron and semi-finished 
steel products for further 
processing: slabs are 
processed into flat steel 
products; billets are 
processed into long steel 
products.

A wide range of semis,  
both standard and niche 
products with specific 
chemical composition, 
physical properties, and 
dimensions

Consumers  

Steelmaking,  
pipe industry

Sites

NLMK Lipetsk,  
NLMK Kaluga

Market share1

19%
(slabs)

Flat steel products with 
higher thickness than that 
of hot-rolled steel. A range 
of standard products 
and niche abrasion-resistant 
and high-strength plates.

Produced at NLMK Group’s 
European sites from slabs 
supplied by NLMK Lipetsk

Flat steel products that have 
been hot-rolled. A wide range 
of hot-rolled steel in sheets 
and coils with a variety of 
performance characteristics

Flat steel products that 
have been cold-rolled. 
A wide range of cold-rolled 
steel sheets and coils with 
a variety of performance 
characteristics, including 
niche high-ductility products

Description

Galvanized and pre-painted 
steel from hot-rolled and 
cold-rolled flats. Coatings 
are applied on a production 
line to protect the steel from 
corrosive environments.

Available in coils, strip,  
and sheets

Dynamo (non-grain-oriented) 
and transformer (grain-
oriented) electrical steel. 
Includes a range of standard 
products with conventional 
properties, and unique  
high-permeability steel (HGO). 

Available in coils, strip,  
and sheets

Rebar in rods and coils, wire 
rod, and sections

A wide range of low-carbon 
metalware. This includes wire 
and secondary products, 
with various coatings  
and surface finishes, nails, 
and fasteners 

Lifting and transport 
equipment, offshore wind 
turbines, drilling platforms, 
shipbuilding, pipelines, boilers, 
and tanks for aggressive 
environments (pressure, 
temperature, load, etc.)

Pipe industry, steel 
structures, shipbuilding, 
machine building, high-
pressure vessels, yellow 
machinery, commercial, 
residential, and infrastructure 
construction

Automotive industry, 
machine building, pipe 
industry, yellow machinery 
and white goods, and 
commercial, residential, 
and infrastructure 
construction

NLMK DanSteel,  
NLMK Clabecq,  
NLMK Verona

NLMK Lipetsk,  
NLMK La Louvière,  
NLMK Indiana,  
NLMK Pennsylvania

NLMK Lipetsk,  
NLMK La Louvière,  
NLMK Pennsylvania

Consumers  

Automotive industry, 
yellow and white goods, 
construction, and facing 
materials.

Electrical machines, 
transformers,  
power engineering,  
and instrument making

Construction

Construction and  
machine building

Sites

NLMK Lipetsk,  
NLMK Strasbourg,  
Sharon Coating

Market share1

NLMK Lipetsk,  
VIZ-Steel

NLMK Ural,  
NLMK Kaluga

NLMK Metalware

Galvanized steel  

NGO steel  

11%

13%

25%

23%

99%

18%

19%

Pre-painted steel  

GO steel  

22%

~100%

11%

1  NLMK share in apparent consumption.

Global market 

European market

Russian market

10

11

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

NLMK GROUP’S BUSINESS MODEL

NLMK is a vertically integrated group 
with a well-balanced value chain 
controlling every stage of steel 

production, from the mining of raw materials through to finished high-tech product 
sales to end-users. During this process we operate with a commitment to corporate 
responsibility for all our people, our communities and our environment.

NLMK Group’s vertically  
integrated business model

NLMK has created a unique  
business model. A key factor  
is our ability to make the most 
of our strategic advantages  
based on the geographical  
location of our assets.

Mining and steel production 
(the most material- and 
resource-intensive aspects 
of the metallurgical process) 
are concentrated in low-cost 
regions, while finished products 
are manufactured much closer 
to the Group’s client base. 
This allows NLMK to minimize 
expenditure on production and 
logistics while at the same time 
swiftly and flexibly adapting 
to the changing requirements 
of our end users and the situation 
in local sales markets.

KEY ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRODUCTION CHAIN

UPSTREAM

MIDSTREAM

DOWNSTREAM

UPSTREAM

The Company has achieved the status 
of one of the most cost-efficient 
steelmakers in the world through 

SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN RESOURCES

a world-class resource base with leading-edge technology for mining and processing, 
an optimal process environment, and the NLMK team’s high professionalism.

Up to 100% of raw materials produced are used in the steel production stage further 
along the value chain.

ENERGY

SCRAP

COKE

PELLETS

IRON ORE  
CONCENTRATE

64%

64%

100%

95%

100%

Captive electric power 
is generated primarily 
through the recovery 
of by-product gases 
from coke and blast 
furnace operations.

NLMK’s scrap 
collection and 
processing network  
is the largest in Russia, 
ensuring the stable 
delivery of scrap 
to NLMK Group’s 
Russian steelmaking 
facilities.

Captive coke 
production 
guarantees NLMK 
high-quality coke 
products, which  
boost the efficiency 
of operations  
further along  
the value chain.

Stoilensky is one of the most efficient iron ore  
producers in the world and is located 250 km 
from the Group’s main production facility 
in Lipetsk. Stoilensky's iron ore reserves 
are upward of 5 bn t.

12

13

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

MIDSTREAM

Leading-edge equipment and finely 
tuned business processes enable 
the production of high-quality  
cost-efficient steel products.  
NLMK Group’s steel production  
capacity amounts to 18.5 m t  
per year1, 95% of which is made  
in Russia. 

Cost leadership: NLMK is among global 
leaders in cost. NLMK Group enjoys 
sustainable cost leadership through its 
high utilization rates, efficient vertical 

integration, and upgraded production capacities. The production cost of Lipetsk  
steel in 2020 was $207/t.

Sales vs. further processing: 70% of NLMK steel is processed into finished products, 
while 30% is sold as semi-finished steel. NLMK produces both flat and long steel 
products, and our reputation as a reliable supplier ensures stable demand for  
the Group’s product offering.

High capacity utilization: An expansive product offering and availability of the Company’s 
rolling facilities in the regions of consumption, i.e. Russia, Europe, and the United 
States. 

Optimal logistics: Production facilities located in regions with developed 
infrastructure and in close proximity to raw material sources lowers outlay 
on logistics as well as related risks.

DOWNSTREAM

Finished products are made locally  
in the Company’s strategic markets  
of Russia, the EU, and the USA, in close 
proximity to consumers. With total 
production capacity of finished products 
standing at 15.3 m t, NLMK can process 
as much as 80% of captive crude steel  
at its own rolling facilities. 

High quality: The use of captive raw 
materials in rolled steel production 
guarantees consistent high quality 
and short lead times. The Company’s 
products are certified according  
to international standards. 

Optimal production footprint: Due to the location of NLMK Group’s rolling operations 
in strategic markets, 60% of steel is sold in the region where it was produced.  
This allows the Company to meet the customers’ most challenging delivery timescales 
and respond promptly to fluctuations in local demand.

Diversification of sales: An expansive geographical breakdown of sales and a flexible 
marketing policy create a global footprint, with the agility to divert sales of steel 
products to the most attractive market, ensuring the full utilization of production 
capacity throughout the value chain.

Balanced product portfolio: NLMK’s extensive steel product offering, from 
conventional hot-rolled steel to custom electrical steels and other niche products, 
allows the Company to diversify sales by sector, reducing the dependency of sales 
volume on demand fluctuations in individual sectors.

NLMK’S STEELMAKING CAPACITY

ROLLING CAPACITY

BOF

EAF2

RUSSIA

USA

EU

FLAT PRODUCTS

LONG PRODUCTS

RUSSIA

USA

EU

74%

26%

94%

5%

1%

83%

17%

59%

19%

22%

1  Taking into account the capacity growth at the Lipetsk site following the completion of two-year large-scale repairs in the end of 2020.
2  Electric arc furnace.

14

15

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ASSETS STRUCTURE

MINING

PRODUCTION SITES

PRODUCTION CAPACITY1, M T

 ● Stoilensky
 ● Dolomit
 ● Stagdok

Iron ore concentrate
Sinter ore
Pellets

1.0

6.8

2019/2020

17.9

FUNCTIONS

PRODUCTION, M T

 ● Covers the Group’s demand  

for raw materials

Iron ore
Fluxes

6.4

18.5

0%
−4%

PRODUCTS

INTRAGROUP SALES, M T

 ● Iron ore concentrate,  

pellets, sinter ore, limestone,  
and dolomite

Iron ore concentrate
Pellets 
Sinter ore
Limestone 
Dolomite 

1.0
2.8

1.5

9.9

6.7

CONSUMERS 

 ●  Internal: NLMK Lipetsk
 ●  External: steelmakers,  
road construction,  
and agriculture

HEADCOUNT

 ● 7,000 people

SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS, M T

Iron ore concentrate
Limestone 
Dolomite  

0.8
0.6
0.5

FINANCIALS, $ M

Revenue
EBITDA
Investments

202

0%
−4%
0%
−3%
−6%

+57%
−40%
−33%

+6%
+9%
−7%

1,399

1,064

2019/2020

14.2

NLMK RUSSIA FLAT

PRODUCTION SITES

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

 ● NLMK Lipetsk 
 ● VIZ-Steel
 ● Altai-Koks

FUNCTIONS

 ● Produces steel, including semis 
for international companies,  
flat products and coke

PRODUCTS

 ● Coke, pig iron, slabs, hot-rolled 

steel, cold-rolled steel, galvanized 
steel, pre-painted steel, and 
grain-oriented and non-grain-
oriented steel

CONSUMERS 

 ● Internal: international rolling 

divisions

Steel1
Flat products

PRODUCTION, M T

Coke2
Pig iron 
Steel
Commodity semis
Rolled products

6.3

6.1

7.1

6.1

12.8

12.3

SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS, M T

Commodity pig iron
Slabs
Hot-rolled steel
Cold-rolled steel
Galvanized steel
Pre-painted steel
NGOES
GOES

1.5

3.1
2.8

1.5

0.8

0.4
0.3
0.3

 ● External: construction, pipe 

INTRAGROUP SALES, M T

production, automotive industry, 
machine building, white goods, 
yellow machinery, power 
industry, and other sectors

HEADCOUNT

 ● 30,600 people

Supplies to NLMK Europe

2.7

FINANCIALS, $ M

Total revenue
EBITDA
Investments

1,430

806

6,788

+4%
+9%
+2%
+14%
+7%

+191%
0%
+11%
−2%
+7%
−3%
+6%
+1%

−3%

−7%
−4%
−6%

1  Hereinafter, current capacities are based on current shifts and product mix without the impact of overhauls.

1  Taking into account the capacity growth at the Lipetsk site following the completion of two-year large-scale repairs in the end of 2020.
2  6% moisture.

16

17

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

NLMK RUSSIA LONG

PRODUCTION SITES
 ● NLMK Vtorchermet scrap collecting facilities
 ● NLMK Ural
 ● NLMK Kaluga
 ● NLMK Metalware

FUNCTIONS
 ● Processes scrap for the Group’s steelmaking  

facilities in Russia

 ● Produces long products and metalware 

PRODUCTS
 ● Scrap, billets, rebar, wire rod, sections, and metalware

CONSUMERS 
 ● Construction and machine building

HEADCOUNT
 ● 8,300 people

NLMK USA

PRODUCTION SITES
 ● NLMK Pennsylvania
 ● NLMK Indiana
 ● Sharon Coating

FUNCTIONS
 ● Produces flat steel  

PRODUCTS
 ● Hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel,  

and galvanized steel 

CONSUMERS
 ● Construction, pipe production, automotive industry, 
machine building, white goods, and yellow machinery 
production

HEADCOUNT
 ● 1,100 people

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

2019/2020

Steel
Long products

PRODUCTION, M T

Scrap processing
Steel
Long products
Metalware

SALES, M T

Billets
Long products
Metalware

FINANCIALS, $ M

0.3

0.3

0.3

3.3

2.6

2.2

2.8

2.4

2.1

+3%
−2%
−1%
–6%

+5%
−9%
−8%

Total revenue
EBITDA
Investments

93
38

1,539

−12%
+4%
−24%

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

2019/2020

Steel
Flat products

0.8

2.9

PRODUCTION, M T

Steel
Flat products

SALES, M T

0.6

1.6

Hot-rolled steel
Cold-rolled steel
Galvanized steel

0.9

0.3
0.4

FINANCIALS, $ M

Total revenue
EBITDA
Investments

76
49

−15%
−25%

−25%
−31%
−28%

−37%
0%
+32%

1,086

NLMK DANSTEEL 

PRODUCTION SITES
 ● NLMK DanSteel

FUNCTIONS
 ● Produces plates from NLMK Lipetsk  

and NLMK DanSteel semis

PRODUCTS
 ● Niche steel semis and plates, including Q&T

CONSUMERS 
 ● Producers of heavy vehicles and loading  

equipment, offshore wind turbines, drilling rigs, 
shipbuilding sector, and producers of pipes,  
boilers, and reservoirs for hostile environments

HEADCOUNT
 ● 400 people

NBH

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

2019/2020

Plate

PRODUCTION, M T

Plate

SALES, M T

Plate

SALES GEOGRAPHY

0.6

2.9

0.5

−8%

0.5

−1%

93% of sales 
in EU

NBH

PRODUCTION SITES
 ● NLMK La Louvière
 ● NLMK Strasbourg
 ● NLMK Clabecq
 ● NLMK Verona

FUNCTIONS
 ● Produces flat steel from slabs coming from the Lipetsk 

site and from internally produced semis

PRODUCTS
 ● Hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, galvanized steel,  

and pre-painted steel

CONSUMERS
 ● Producers of heavy vehicles and loading equipment, 

offshore wind turbines, drilling rigs, shipbuilding sector, 
and producers of pipes, boilers, and reservoirs for 
hostile environments, construction, pipe production, 
automotive industry, machine building, white goods.

HEADCOUNT
 ● 1,700 people

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

2019/2020

0.2

0.2

Steel
Flat products

PRODUCTION, M T

Steel
Flat products

SALES, M T

Hot-rolled steel
Cold-rolled steel
Pre-painted steel
Plate

0.03

0.3
0.6

1.2

SALES GEOGRAPHY

2.8

2.1

+1%
−3%

−4%
−22%
−14%
−1%

93% of sales 
in EU

18

19

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

WHERE WE MAKE
AND MARKET STEEL 

 GRI 102-4, GRI 102-6 

Sales
1.6 m t

1.6 m t
Home 
market

PRODUCTION CAPACITY, M T

Steel

Flat

Long

2.6

6.3

3.4

2.9

12.6

14.21

3.3

0.8

18.5

Russia Flat

Russia Long

Europe

USA

NLMK Indiana

Sharon Coating

NLMK Pennsylvania

STEEL PRODUCTION, M T

Russia

USA

0.6

Europe

0.2

15.1

SALES2 IN 2020, M T

0.4 0.4 0.4

1.9

6.7

2.2

17.5 m t

2.4

3.1

Russia
EU
North America
Middle East 
(incl. Turkey)
LATAM
CIS
Asia & Oceania
Other regions

SALES STRUCTURE BY LOCAL / 
EXPORT MARKETS, %

34

38

Russia
EU
USA
Export

100

13

15

1  Accounting for the Lipetsk site capacities growth following the completion of major repairs in the end of 2020
2  Sales with NBH

Upstream assets

BF & BOF Operations

Rolling assets

EAF

20

Slab supplies from Lipetsk to NLMK USA 
and NLMK Europe

Intragroup raw material flows in Russia

Sales of steel to third parties on home  
and export markets

Intragroup international supplies

6.7 m t
External 
market

Sales
13.3 m t

6.6 m t
Home 
market

Altai-Koks

NLMK Ural

VIZ-Steel

NLMK Vtorchermet

NLMK DanSteel

NLMK Кaluga

NLMK Lipetsk

NLMK Clabecq
NLMK La Louvière

NLMK Strasbourg

NLMK Verona

Stoilensky

0.1 m t
External market

Sales
2.6 m t

2.5 m t
Home market

NLMK India

21

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR INNOVATIONS

As a modern, high-tech company,  
NLMK Group’s development is inextricably 
linked to innovation. For us, innovation 
is a means of attaining strategic goals. 
The Company focuses its resources 
on seeking and quickly integrating new 
technologies that boost the efficiency  
of business processes.

NLMK Group’s approach to innovation  
is based on quick project implementation 
and tolerance for the risk inherent 
in testing potential solutions and 
technologies. This approach helps 
reduce project implementation costs, 
catalyse the development and adoption 
of innovative solutions, and minimize 
innovation-related risks.

Innovation projects are pursued 
and implemented across all of 
the Company’s main business processes: 
steel production, technologies and 
materials for repairs, customer service 
improvement, sustainable development, 
logistics, energy, HR.

One of the formats that NLMK is 
developing to seek out new ideas is open 
innovation: building up partnerships with 
universities, venture funds, development 
institutions, and technology parks 
both in Russia and abroad. Innovation-
related changes are systemic in nature, 
shaping the culture and the innovation 
ecosystem that unites NLMK Group with 
its partners.

Additionally, NLMK sees innovation 
projects as a way to develop  
and fulfil our team’s potential.  
Any employee can participate in such 
projects. The Company encourages 
initiative and provides opportunities 
for experimentation by simplifying 
the processes and mechanisms of 
innovation project implementation. 
The open innovation format also 
facilitates our employees’ professional 
growth: partnerships with leading 
universities and venture funds open up 
new sources of ideas and access  
to one-of-a-kind projects.

Examples of innovative solutions and technologies that the Company adopted in 
2020 include 3D printing, photographic mapping via drones, and new wear-resistant 
materials for mining and steelmaking. We have also taken the first steps to integrate 
robotics into the Group’s production processes. Over 40 innovation projects are 
already being implemented. 

In mid-2020, we launched the NLMK Innovation Lab online portal (https://lab.nlmk.com/en/).  
This new platform creates a simple and quick channel enabling all developers of 
innovative products and technologies to communicate with their end customers 
at NLMK. All projects are thoroughly evaluated, and efficient ones can then be 
implemented at NLMK Group sites. The portal has operated for less than six months 
and has already received over 100 applications, of which 50 are currently being 
analysed in-depth. 

NLMK expands use of drones

NLMK Group has established a centre to process and analyse data collected 
using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at its mining facilities. Drones will be used 
in the open-cast mine for prospecting and monitoring the condition of the roads, 
heat networks, power lines, and other infrastructure elements. The gain from 
expanding the use of UAV technology is estimated at RUB 100 million per year.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company develops new products to respond to market demands, analyzing 
technological progress trends in the industry and determining the vector of 
innovation development. The life cycle of a new product development project includes 
computer and physical simulations and the use of advanced tools and methods  
to test laboratory prototypes before starting full-scale experiments on industrial 
equipment. This approach helps reduce project implementation costs, catalyse  
the development and adoption of innovative solutions, and minimise innovation-
related risks.

To achieve the Strategy 2022 goals, the Company has set up an R&D department  
and a corporate Centre for Research and Development (R&D Centre) as part  
of its innovation activities. The department and centre possess the core capabilities 
and resources required to create digital and physical prototypes of new products  
and manufacture them at the Group’s facilities. The R&D department operates  
in Russia and Belgium. The main laboratory research facility is located at the Lipetsk 
site, while computer modelling and premium coating development capabilities are 
based in La Louvière (Belgium).

In February 2020, microstructural analysis laboratories were opened at the Lipetsk 
site. Their purpose is to analyse the properties of steel produced during physical 
simulation and industrial experiments. The unit draws together unique research 
competencies and state-of-the-art measurement equipment. Several dozen  
high-precision devices support more than a thousand types of microscopy  
and chemical analysis measurements. This multi-method research will facilitate  
the development of new steel grades and products for the automotive, energy,  
and construction sectors.

In December 2020, three laboratories 
developing new coatings were opened 
at the La Louvière site, enabling  
a broad spectrum of physical, chemical, 
and analytical studies, simulation of 
various technologies and application 
modes, and tests of end products 
(coated steel).

Apart from researching new  
products, we also carry out studies  
in the domain of sustainable development. 
In December 2020, the Company became 
a member of K1-MET, Europe’s leading 
metallurgical competence centre, 
and commenced a joint project with 
Voestalpine to process zinc-containing 
dust and sludge. Our industrial waste 
recycling project was backed by 
the Austrian government through 
the COMET programme (Competence 
Centers for Excellent Technologies).

NLMK interacts actively with  
the innovation ecosystem, creating 
mechanisms for cooperation with  
venture funds, development 
institutions, and technology parks  
both in Russia and abroad. The goal  
of these efforts is to create a constant 
flow of ideas and projects for 
subsequent integration and piloting 
at Group sites. The Company’s main  
body in charge of innovations is  
the Innovation Projects Committee 
led by NLMK’s CEO (Chairman of 
the Management Board). The Committee 
has been in operation since 2018. 

In 2020, the number of projects 
in our research and development 
portfolio tripled. The portfolio primarily 
focuses on product innovations on 
the 2030 horizon. The goal is to ensure 
the Company’s competitive advantage 
and steady technological development.

The Company’s efforts to expand 
its product portfolio are anchored  
in the R&D development strategy,  
which was approved by the NLMK Board 
of Directors in 2018. The Company 
is actively developing its process base 
to regulate project management 
approaches in order to successfully 
implement R&D and innovation projects.

TOP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES UNTIL 2022

Introduce product innovations

Establish a diversified product portfolio for the automotive,  
heavy engineering, energy, and industrial  
and civil construction industries 

In 2020, we developed, patented, and produced a number of innovative steel grades:
 ● Ultra-high-strength cold-rolled steel with a tensile strength of over 1,000 MPa  

for safer car bodies

 ● High-strength ultra-low-carbon (non-ageing) steel with highly homogeneous 

properties manufactured using a cassette technology and annealed in bell-type  
furnaces for the production of extra-deep-drawing automotive parts and 
undercarriages

 ● Steel with an anti-corrosion coating of zinc, aluminium, magnesium, and a polymer 

finish, 2–3 times more durable than standard zinc coatings

 ● High-strength steel plate for manufacturing the nodes of heavy-duty vehicles, 
ensuring the equipment’s operation under high static and dynamic loads and  
in temperatures below -50°С

 ● Plate for construction equipment with a strength of up to 1,200 MPa, high plasticity 

and toughness 

 ● High-strength hot-rolled steel with good formability and increased resistance 

to cracking for structural car body elements

NLMK DanSteel supplies steel heavy plates for next-generation  
floating offshore wind farm

NLMK DanSteel has supplied its heavy plate for the Wind Float Atlantic project, 
the first semi-submersible floating wind farm in the world, located off the north 
coast of Portugal. NLMK DanSteel’s high-quality steel is used in the production 
of floating platforms and foundations. 

Wind Float Atlantic comprises three wind turbines of 8.4 MW each, mounted 
on floating platforms. The wind farm will be able to generate enough energy 
to supply 60,000 households in Portugal and save almost 1.1 million tonnes  
of CO2 emissions per year. 

With the aim of participating in such innovative offshore projects, NLMK 
DanSteel has improved its production process and developed a special chemical 
composition of high-strength steel that ensures strong performance under 
high static and dynamic loads at low temperatures. Together with the American 
Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the plant has successfully completed product 
certification.

22

23

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

DIGITALIZATION

The development of information 
technologies and digital solutions  
is an essential tool for attaining NLMK 
Group’s strategic goals. Dozens of 
cross-functional teams are engaged 
in the development of over 90 digital 
products for production sites and 
corporate functions. Every digital 
solution is designed to achieve our  
first-priority goals and to eliminate 
faults. The Company employs machine 
learning and machine vision, advanced 
analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, 
unmanned aerial vehicles, additive 
and other technologies that are most 
relevant to every given task.

Digitalization in the context 
of Strategy 2022

 ● Leadership in efficiency. Every year, 
NLMK Group increases its investment 
into the automation of production 
processes. Our teams create 
solutions to boost the efficiency 
of production, repairs, logistics, 
and energy. We are successfully 
implementing a one-of-a-kind set  
of calendar planning and scheduling 
programmes, which will enable 
reduced lead times for customers  
and higher capacity utilization.  
Mobile devices are used for planning 
and executing production equipment 
repairs. Over the course  
of the current strategy cycle, 
initiatives involving digital solutions  
will contribute at least $50 million  
to the operational efficiency goal.

 ● Development of low-cost steel 

production. Our active use of BIM 
technologies in major investment 
projects has allowed for a significant 
decrease in the number of project 
collisions, optimization of construction 
timeframes, and the elimination 
of unforeseen risks related 
to construction and installation works.

 ● Sustainable development.  

The Company harnesses new 
technologies to increase production 
safety, reducing human participation 
in dangerous operations, improving 
automotive and railway transport 
safety, and providing employees with 
convenient tools for risk identification 
when executing dangerous work.  
In our efforts to deal with 
environmental concerns, we use 
technologies that help us more 

efficiently clean emissions from harmful impurities. We have also integrated  
a digital system for environmental impact monitoring. 

 ● Sales development. Our digital tools and services, including our online sales 

platform, ensure prompt customer interaction, increase loyalty, and shorten 
feedback loops with our customers. In-depth analytics allow us to build the sales 
system around customer experience, reduce order lead times, and create 
competitive advantages. 

The digital ecosystem we have established ensures effective “ground rules”  
for cross-functional teams, sustainable solutions, knowledge accumulation  
in the Company, and a seamless collaboration environment with over 30 partner 
companies specializing in various subjects and technologies. In terms of digital 
ecosystem development, NLMK Group has reached two key objectives in 2020:
 ● Stabilizing the organizational model of digital product creation and development. 
The model is based on the iterative work of cross-functional teams comprising 
employees of specialized production units and functions along with technology, 
IT, and data specialists. The teams focus on identifying the digitalization potential 
of a given production unit or function and are in charge of the entire life cycle 
of the solutions they create. Dedicated teams work on end-to-end cross-functional 
digital products. The teams are reasonably autonomous, which means that  
they are able to experiment with innovative solutions and to engage and develop 
high-potential specialists.

 ● Creating a machine learning platform, which ensures that the dozens of Company 
solutions that involve AI technologies operate consistently and continue to develop. 
Our DSML (Data Science and Machine Learning) platform is a single environment  
for data scientists. It creates a feedback loop between mathematical models. 

The Company is actively introducing digital and mobile services for employees.  
Such solutions support the full HR cycle: planning vacations and business trips, 
training, objective management, performance reviews, career track selection,  
and much more.

The digitalization of Stoilensky has allowed for an increase in iron ore  
output and an optimisation of the mine development plan

Calculating the optimal opencast mine development plan is always a challenge. 
The ore is not hosted evenly, and its ferrum content varies. We have built  
a digital 3D model of the mine, visualized the deposit structure and the ore 
bedding conditions, and used the model to develop a mining scenario for  
thirty years to come. Based on this data, we put together yearly and monthly 
plans with replacement tasks and adjust them automatically. 

In addition, an optimizer system manages the transport flows in the mine.  
It sends messages to every driver, specifying where to load and unload their 
truck. The routes are distributed so that ores with different ferrum content 
levels are mixed together, forming a homogeneous mass. 

The digitalization of NLMK’s BOF operations has helped optimize  
ferroalloy consumption

NLMK produces hundreds of steel grades. In order to manufacture a particular 
grade, we need to ensure a certain concentration of the required chemical 
elements in the composition, which means adding the right amount of ferroalloys. 
Our ferroalloy consumption optimizer service determines the optimal composition 
and calculates the precise amount of the required additives. Through a user-
friendly interface, it recommends the right amounts to the steel caster,  
which can add just enough ferroalloys for producing the steel grade in question. 
If there are several options, the most cost-effective one will be selected. 

The solution is expected to generate a gain over RUB 90 million per year.

CYBERSECURITY 

NLMK Group follows a unified approach 
to countering cyber threats. To this 
effect, the Company has established 
a comprehensive information security 
system that has proven its reliability 
during the rollout of the remote work 
practice. This provides confirmation 
that the Company’s cybersecurity 
management has taken effective 
measures, based on the principle  
of the top management’s involvement 
in ensuring integrated and centralized 
information security management 
and risk-based approach implemented 
by the Risk Assessment and 
Management team.

level of information security processes is also regularly evaluated in accordance 
with the COBIT 5 standard to make sure that the Company is well on track towards 
its target. As for the level of the corporate network’s resilience to potential attacks, 
the Company plans to carry out regular external penetration testing (Pentest).

With a view to counteracting man-made cyber threats, all NLMK employees, when they 
join the company, are familiarized with internal regulatory documents on information 
security through the electronic document management system and the corporate 
portal. The Company also regularly carries out awareness-raising activities (including 
informing about incident-related procedures), which include online learning courses, 
phishing email recognition tests, publications on cybersecurity matters, and e-mail 
newsletters. 

Each employee is personally responsible for compliance with the applicable information 
security requirements. Employees may be subject to disciplinary or other action for 
their violation. 

The Company has adopted a practice 
of regular internal audits of compliance 
with trade secret and personal data 
processing requirements. The maturity 

NLMK Group sets ambitious strategic goals for the development and digitalization 
of its operations, in which countering cyber threats will undoubtedly be of high 
importance. The Company will continue to focus on this area to improve  
the established information security risk management process. 

24

25

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR STRATEGY

STRATEGY 2022

Strategy 2022 is predicated on enhancing NLMK Group’s competitive advantages through boosting 
operational efficiency across the entire production chain, growing cost-efficient steel production, 
enhancing vertical integration into key raw materials, increasing sales of high value-added (HVA) products, 
and pursuing environmental, safety, and human capital development programmes. Strategy 2022 targets  
net gains of +$1.25 bn to EBITDA.

STRATEGY IN ACTION

Operational efficiency

Target EBITDA gain by 2023

+$570 m pa

Total EBITDA gain in 2020 (vs. 2019) 
+$176 m

Goal:  
Reduce cash cost and increase output across the entire 
integrated value chain 

Results:  
The structural gain to EBITDA from operational efficiency 
programmes amounted to $176 m vs. the 2019 base

$1.25 bn
BY STRATEGIC GOALS

$1.25 bn
BY TOOLS

0.50 

Leadership  
in efficiency

0.30
Leadership  
in low-cost steel 
production

0.45
Leadership  
in strategic 
markets

0.57 

Operational 
Efficiency

0.68  

Investment

KEY ELEMENTS OF STRATEGY 2022

1. LEADERSHIP IN OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

2. GROWTH IN LOW-COST STEEL PRODUCTION

Goal:  
Focus on operational efficiency and working towards best 
production practices; global leadership in the cash cost  
of steel production

Goal:  
Growth of steel output at NLMK Lipetsk; maintaining 100% 
self-sufficiency in iron ore; growth in energy self-sufficiency 
at NLMK Lipetsk; decrease in coal consumption, including 
deficit grades

Target structural EBITDA gain:  
$0.5 bn

Capex over the strategic period:  
$0.05 bn

Target structural EBITDA gain:  
$0.3 bn

Capex over the strategic period:  
$1.0 bn

3. WORLD-CLASS SALES PORTFOLIO

4. LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY

Goal:  
Growth of steel product sales; growth of high value-added 
(HVA) product output and sales

Goal:  
Minimizing environmental footprint and ensuring safe 
operations

Target structural EBITDA gain:  
$0.45 bn

Capex over the strategic period:  
$1.1 bn

26

EBITDA GAIN BY SEGMENT  
IN 2020, $ M

5

2

18

19

+176

These achievements were largely due to the development of NLMK Production System 
(NPS). In the reporting year NPS was rolled out to all Russian sites. At key sites, such 
as Sintering & Ironmaking and Stoilensky, projects were implemented to increase  
NPS maturity with a focus on consistent growth of ideas with an economic effect. 
Despite the pandemic, last year’s number of initiatives was surpassed already  
in mid-November. Altogether, approximately 27,000 initiatives were submitted in 2020. 
The number of initiatives with an economic effect increased by 50%. 98% of ideas  
with gains exceeding RUB 100,000 were submitted by blue collars and line managers, 
which ensures the system’s stability.

132

NLMK Russia Flat
Mining
NLMK Russia Long
NLMK USA
NLMK EU

NLMK Russia Flat (+$132 m): lower 
expenses on coal charge structure; 
additional output of slabs, hot-rolled 
steel, and galvanized steel; optimization 
of metallic charge consumption;  
logistics and energy projects.  
Significant improvement in the surface 
quality of commercial grain-oriented 
steel.

Stoilensky (+$19 m): increased output 
of concentrate and pellets.

NLMK Russia Long (+$18 m): lower 
metallic charge consumption at 
NLMK Kaluga and NLMK Ural; process 
optimization at NLMK Metalware.

NLMK USA (+$5 m): increased steel 
output; lower metallic charge 
consumption at the Indiana plant.

NLMK EU (+$2 m): increased efficiency 
at the Verona plant.

Using the Control Charts NPS tool, the pelletizing and induration area  
of the Stoilensky Pellet Plant stabilized specific gas consumption  
per tonne of pellets

While analyzing control charts, specialists at the plant noticed that gas 
consumption rates went beyond the control limits, leading to significant 
overconsumption. This was due to a malfunction causing the induration unit 
to operate at the wrong speed. The speed of pallet cars is regulated by sensors 
that measure layer height. The incorrect readings of these sensors led  
to the machine’s speed increasing above normal, causing the induration 
unit to stop. Measures were taken to determine and formalize the maximum 
levels of pellet layer height, and the sensors were recalibrated. This enabled 
the stabilization of pallet car speed. Specific gas consumption at the pelletizing  
and induration area has become more stable and manageable.

Production System at NLMK Vtorchermet

In 2020 the managing company and four operation companies of NLMK 
Vtorchermet implemented the first wave of the NPS development project.  
This project has the most unique geography of all NPS projects in the Group:  
it involves 12 scrap collection facilities in the Ural region, Siberia, and Central 
Russia. 

In 2020, a total of 47 initiatives were submitted (vs. 33 in 2019) with a confirmed 
economic effect of RUB 168 million (vs. RUB 43.5 million in 2019).

Operation companies that collect, process, and ship scrap mostly use standard 
technological processes and equipment, which enables the roll-out of related 
best practices across all NLMK Vtorchermet sites. The improvement projects  
will result in higher productivity and increased equipment reliability and safety.

27

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Leadership in sustainability  
and safety

Goal:  
Minimize environmental footprint  
and ensure safe operations

Leadership in sustainability and safety 
remains a priority for NLMK Group. 
Priority areas include:
 ● Further minimization of our 

environmental footprint, including 
a reduction in specific emissions 
per tonne of steel at NLMK Russia 
to the level of the EU best available 
technologies

 ● Further reduction of injury rate  

to LTIFR1 0.5 for our own employees 
and contractors

 ● High level of social protection and 

employee engagement

STRATEGY IN ACTION

Investments

Target EBITDA gain by 2023

+$680 m pa

Total EBITDA gain in 2020 (vs. 2019)

+$85 m 

EBITDA GAIN BY SEGMENT  
IN 2020, $ M

2

6

8

9

+85

60

Mining
Long products
Flat products
NLMK EU
NLMK USA

Over 90% of all gains were obtained  
at the Group’s Russian companies: 

Stoilensky (+$60 m): launching  
the additional beneficiation section.

NLMK Russia Long (+$9 m): 
commissioning new power complexes 
built in 2019. Power complexes  
are a new-type of mini power plants 
providing NLMK Russia Long sites  
with heating, hot water, and chemically 
purified water for processes, as well as 
captive electricity. 

Goal:  
Growth in low-cost steel production and growth  
of premium product output and sales

 ● NLMK has relaunched Blast Furnace No. 4 (BF-4) following a large-scale upgrade.  
As a result, the maximum output of the furnace increased by 8% to 3.4 million 
tonnes of pig iron per year. A new air treatment system captures 99.9% of 
dust particles, keeping residual dust content at the level of best available 
technologies (BAT) of 5 mg/m3. All of the blast furnace gas formed as a by-product 
in the manufacturing of pig iron is used for energy generation at NLMK’s 
cogeneration plant, while blast furnace slag is processed into construction 
materials. The total CAPEX for the project amounted to over RUB 35 billion. 
The furnace is equipped with an advanced automated control system with built-in 
artificial intelligence components. The system is able to autonomously select 
optimal process parametres, boosting blast furnace performance.

 ● NLMK has relaunched its Basic Oxygen Furnace No. 3, a steelmaking facility with  
a capacity of over 3 million tonnes per year, following an overhaul. The launch  
of a new dust and gas collection system in line with best available technologies (BAT)  
was tied in with the relaunch of the BOF.

 ● At NLMK Lipetsk, a new facility for the production of steel products, a continuous 
casting machine (CCM-9) was launched. The productivity of CCM-9 is 1.8 million 
tonnes of steel per year. The company plans to use the equipment to master  
the production of a premium mix of products that will be used to make wind turbine 
parts, marine vessels, oil drilling rigs, and large-diameter pipes. 

Altai-Koks has launched coal stamp charging unit at an operational  
coke battery

Instead of using the top charging method, stamp charging involves feeding 
already compacted coal briquettes into the oven horizontally. The technology  
has been introduced at Coke Battery No. 5, the most advanced coke oven battery 
at Altai-Koks. It has a production capacity of 1.1 million tonnes of coke per year. 
The new unit is equipped with an advanced and efficient gas treatment system.

NLMK to increase galvanized steel production capacity

NLMK Russia Flat (+$8 m): operation  
of the briquetting plant, which launched 
in May 2019; launch of the new logistics 
complex at the Lipetsk site. 

NLMK Lipetsk has embarked on a project to construct a new continuous hot-dip 
galvanizing line (HDGL-5) with a capacity of 450,000 tonnes of steel per year.  
The new line will produce high-quality steel for the construction, automotive,  
and white goods industries.

In addition, a number of major  
projects were completed in 2020,  
and we expect to see their positive 
impact in 2021–2022. For example,  
NLMK Group completed a project  
to increase steelmaking capacities  
at the Lipetsk site by 1 million tonnes,  
up to 14.2 million tonnes per year.

Stoilensky finished hot testing at new additional beneficiation section

Hot testing was performed at three new concentrate grinding lines.  
The commissioning of the new additional beneficiation section will enable 
Stoilensky to increase its concentrate output from 17.5 million tonnes  
to 20 million tonnes per year and its ore processing capacity from 37 million 
tonnes to 42 million tonnes by 2021. 

28

29

1  Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate.

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT

OUR APPROACH  
TO SUSTAINABILITY  
MANAGEMENT

As one of the largest international 
producers of steel and steel  
products, NLMK Group is aware  
of its responsibility towards society, 
nature, and future generations.  
Our team is united by corporate  
values that shape NLMK’s approach  
to responsible leadership.

A number of NLMK Group’s internal 
documents regulate sustainability 
measures. A more detailed list  
of these documents can be found 
further in the text of this Report.

Sustainability management is integrated into NLMK Group’s corporate governance 
system and is carried out at all the Group’s companies, including international ones. 
Sustainability issues consistently feature on the agenda of NLMK Group’s leadership. 
The Board of Directors, the Board’s committees, CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board), and the Management Board determine strategic growth priorities and ensure 
overall sustainability management.

Vice presidents of functional units are responsible for identifying specific tasks and 
initiatives to manage the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the Group’s 
activities and monitor their implementation. Departments responsible for developing 
approaches and implementing measures in matters concerning sustainability report 
to these vice presidents.

The Group’s functional departments and teams are directly responsible for executing 
the tasks assigned to them and for the local management of sustainability issues 
at the Group’s companies.

The detection, monitoring, and management of sustainability risks is an integral part 
of the corporate risk management system (see the Operational Control and Risk 
Management section for more details).

NLMK GROUP’S VALUES   
 GRI 102-16 

Value

Description

Continuous improvement  
of processes

Client-oriented approach 

Continuous improvement of processes and technologies to ensure the sustainable 
production of steel products that help improve the quality of life

Production of unique premium quality steel products and development 
of engineering solutions that help our customers be on the cutting edge 
of innovation and be leaders in their markets

Absolute priority of the health  
and safety of our employees

Unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of our employees 
and contractors and ensuring favourable working conditions that allow our 
employees to fulfil their potential for professional and personal growth

Ensuring equal opportunities  
for employee development

Ensuring equal opportunities for the professional and personal growth of our 
employees and motivating our employees to be proactive and innovation-driven

Sustainable use of resources

Sustainable use of resources and the pursuit of the best available environmental 
and energy efficiency standards, which we also expect our partners to comply with

Active approach to social  
responsibility

Active approach to social responsibility and care for cultural legacy in the regions 
where we operate

SUSTAINABLE  
DEVELOPMENT POLICY

In 2019, NLMK’s Board of Directors 
approved the Company’s Sustainable 
Development Policy (the “Policy”).  
This Policy defines the Group’s 
principles, goals, and objectives 
in matter concerning sustainable 
development as well as the mechanism 
for managing the relevant agenda 
at the level of the Board of Directors. 
In particular, the Board’s Strategic 
Planning Committee is responsible 
for determining the Company’s 
goals and strategy for minimizing 
its environmental footprint, including 
greenhouse gas emissions, and 
reviewing and approving the relevant 
investment programme. The Board’s 
Audit Committee monitors the integrity 
of the disclosure of sustainable 
development information.

The relevant functions are set in regulations on Committees, which were approved 
at NLMK’s General Meeting of Shareholders. For more information, see the Corporate 
Governance section. 

Leadership in sustainability and safety is one of the four main goals of NLMK 
Group’s Strategy 2022, and the changes that have been implemented will contribute 
to the successful achievement of this goal. The changes are in line with best 
international practices and stakeholder requirements, and confirm NLMK Group’s 
commitment to the principles and objectives of the UN Global Compact, to which 
the Company is a party.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

In 2020, NLMK Group approved its Integrated Management System Policy (IMS Policy). 
This Group-wide document lays out the Company’s intentions in the areas of quality 
(ISO 9001), environmental protection (ISO 14001), energy efficiency (ISO 50001), 
and occupational health and safety (ISO 45001). The Policy, approved as part of 
integrated management system development, complies with international standards 
and reflects best global practices of sustainable development. The full text of the Policy  
is available on the Company’s website via this link. 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR MANAGING  
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AT NLMK  
 GRI 102-20 

Strategic Planning Committee

Internal Audit Service

Board of Directors

Human Resources, Remuneration, 
and Social Policy Committee

CEO (Chairman  
of the Management Board)

Management Board

Audit Committee

Investment Committee

Risk Management Committee

Functional units and teams at the Group’s Russian and international companies

30

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Integrated Management  
System objectives:

 ● To be a global leader for the quality 

of our steel products and raw 
materials by continuously upgrading 
and expanding our product mix with 
the aim of increasing our customers’ 
competitiveness

 ● To comply with industry best 

practice concerning the rational use 
of material and technical resources 
and the safety of our production 
processes for both human health  
and the environment

 ● To be a global leader in adopting best practices to make our operations more 
energy-efficient, and to reduce energy consumption and cost of production  
as far as is technologically and economically feasible

 ● To ensure efficient production with zero accidents, incidents, and near misses 
through global excellence in occupational health and safety and continuous 
development and promotion of a safety culture among NLMK Group’s employees 
and contractors

 ● To ensure our operations do no harm to the environment or the climate, and 

to respond to changing environmental and climate conditions by balancing them 
with social and economic needs 

Integrated Management System objectives and management liabilities are published  
at NLMK Group’s website.

SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA MANAGEMENT  
AT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEVEL

Board Committees

Key aspect of sustainability

Strategic Planning Committee

 ● Sustainable development risk assessment
 ● Environment:

 — Air emissions
 — Discharges and waste
 — Use of resources
 — Biological diversity
 — Climate change

Human Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee

Integration of sustainable development KPIs in the remuneration system

 ●
 ● Social and employment:

 — Operational health and safety
 — Training and development
 — Social policy
 — Diversity and equal opportunities
 — Non-discrimination
 — Local communities

Audit Committee

 ● Performance monitoring and sustainability reporting

Board of Directors, 
Human Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee,  
Audit Committee

 ● Corporate governance:

 — Corporate governance
 — Business ethics
 — Anti-corruption

CONTRIBUTION  
TO THE ACHIEVEMENT  
OF THE SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS 
ADOPTED BY THE  
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NLMK Group supports the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General 
Assembly in 2015, which aim to address significant economic, social, and environmental 
issues faced by the global community.

We believe that the Group makes a valuable contribution to the achievement of global 
sustainability goals by engaging in responsible business and targeted activities that 
aim to reduce its environmental footprint, support local communities, and ensure safe 
and decent working conditions.

NLMK GROUP’S CONTRIBUTION TO ACHIEVING  
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

UN Goal

NLMK Group’s contribution

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

Implementing programmes aimed to help employees stay healthy and increasing  
the availability and quality of medical services for employees
Informing the Group employees and contractors about occupational safety rules 
Implementing training programmes in occupational health and safety
Implementing initiatives aimed at reducing water consumption, pollutant emissions,  
and overall waste

See the following chapters of the Report: Our team, Developing local communities, Occupational 
health and safety, Human rights, Supply chain management, Environmental protection

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong  
learning opportunities for all

 ●

 ●

Implementing training and development programmes to enhance professional skills  
of employees
Implementing external social programmes aimed to support education in the regions 
where the Company operates

 ● Cooperating with educational institutions to improve the quality of training programmes 

and vocational training for future employment opportunities 

See the following chapters of the Report: Our team, Developing local communities

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water  
and sanitation for all

 ●

Introducing water recycling systems 
Implementing water treatment technologies 

 ●
 ● Reducing water intake through equipment upgrades
 ● Monitoring and disclosing information on the use of water resource

See the following chapters of the Report: Environmental protection

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,  
and modern energy for all

Improving energy efficiency

 ●
 ● Transitioning to captive energy generation
 ● Consuming energy from secondary resources
 ● Monitoring and disclosing information on the volume of energy consumed

See the following chapters of the Report: Energy efficiency

32

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

UN Goal

NLMK Group’s contribution

UN Goal

NLMK Group’s contribution

Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive 
employment, and decent work for all

 ● Fulfilling tax obligations
 ● Ensuring equal access for all Group employees to social benefits and creating equal 
opportunities for high performance, professional growth, and the development  
of creative potential

 ● Creating jobs in the regions where we operate
 ●

Implementing training and development programmes to enhance employees’  
professional skills

 ● Ensuring decent and safe working conditions
 ● Developing NLMK Group’s human rights policy prohibiting forced and child labour, 

recognizing the right to a minimum wage, outlawing discrimination, and guaranteeing  
safe working conditions

 ● Ensuring the transparency of procurement procedures
 ● Supplier’s Code of Business Conduct, which is binding for all counterparties
 ● Evaluating supplier compliance with applicable occupational health and safety standards  

as part of auditing and qualifying suppliers and contractors 
Implementing initiatives to minimize the Group’s environmental footprint

 ●

See the following chapters of the Report: Our team, Developing local communities, Occupational 
health and safety, Human rights, Supply chain management, Environmental protection

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Increasing the efficiency of natural resource usage

 ●
 ● Recycling ferrous scrap
 ●

Implementing a series of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency and the efficiency 
of resource use and reducing the environmental footprint of operations

 ● Upgrading equipment and improving technology in order to minimize their negative impact 

on human health and the environment

See the following chapters of the Report: Environmental protection

Climate change

Implementing a set of measures to reduce specific greenhouse gas emissions

 ●
 ● Sales of products that enable lower emissions on the consumer side
 ●

International cooperation on projects aimed at reducing greenhouse  
gas emissions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access 
to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels

 ● Countering corruption and fraud and preventing conflicts of interest
 ●

Introducing NLMK employees to the Code of Corporate Ethics and Anti-Corruption Policy
Introducing counterparties to the Supplier’s Code of Business Conduct 

 ●
 ● Creating and continuously improving efficient corporate governance practices
 ● Creating and developing a system of government relations
 ● Ensuring human rights protection
 ● Complying with applicable laws, including occupational practices
 ● Openly interacting with stakeholders and informing stakeholders about the Company’s 

positive and negative impacts

 ● Creating feedback channels 
 ● Monitoring and regular reporting on the management of environmental aspects and 

disclosing information about legal non-compliance, including with environmental protection 
and labour laws

See the following chapters of the Report: Corporate governance, Operational control and risk 
management, Information for shareholders and investors, Environmental protection

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership  
for sustainable development

 ● Cooperating with government authorities to ensure that the interests of local 

communities are taken into account in decision-making
 ● Disclosing information about payments to the state budgets
 ● Concluding partnerships with NGOs to implement programmes which aim to develop local 

communities

 ● Supporting sustainability initiatives implemented by Russian and international industry 

organizations

 ● Strengthening partnerships with other companies in the industry

See the following chapters of the Report: Stakeholder dialogue, Developing local communities, 
Environmental protection, Supply Chain management, About the Report

See the following chapters of the Report: Environmental protection,  
Climate change

34

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR RESULTS

COVID-19 RESPONSE

The Company focused all of its 
efforts on ensuring employee 
safety during the pandemic. In view 
of the epidemiological situation, 
a comprehensive programme to mitigate 
the impact of COVID-19 was initiated 
in March 2020. The programme 
covered all Group companies, whose 
total headcount exceeds 50,000 
people, as well as certain categories 
in the communities of the regions 
where the companies operate, such 
as socially vulnerable groups and medical 
workers. The Group’s Russian companies 
instituted an obligatory remote work 
mode for all employees over the age  
of 60. Approximately 5,000 people 
switched to working from home.  
The Company provided the necessary 
protective equipment and preventive 
medication, and organized regular  
tests both for employees and 
contractors. NLMK Group prohibited all 
mass gatherings, events, and meetings 
with over 15 people, and placed limits 
on business trips. New requirements 
included wearing masks, practising social 
distancing, measuring temperature, 
and obtaining a negative COVID-19 test 
result before returning to work after 
a long absence (vacation or sick leave). 
In addition, NLMK initiated supplementary 
assistance programmes in the regions 
where it operates, working in close 
cooperation with the municipal and 
regional authorities. 

The Company attached particular 
importance to informing its employees 
about the current pandemic situation  
in a timely manner. One of NLMK’s  
first response measures was 
the creation of a COVID-19 call centre 
that employees could contact in case of 
infection risk, as well as a crisis centre  
to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  
When the epidemiological situation was 
at its most difficult, NLMK Group’s CEO 
published weekly addresses to employees 
on the corporate portal, providing 
them with the latest information about 
the pandemic and the Company’s 

Employee safety

Social assistance

 ● Over 100,000 COVID-19 tests 

for employees

 ● 5,000 employees switched  

to  working remotely

 ● >35,000 PPE units for employees
 ● Limiting business trips and 

in-person meetings, maximizing 
online training

 ● Changing work schedules  

to reduce workplace density

 ● More buses and routes to deliver 

employees to work 

 ● RUB 30,000 in additional 

payments to staff to compensate 
for pandemic-related expenses

 ● 67 ventilators
 ● 46 oxygen concentrators
 ● 4 PCR labs equipped
 ● >530,000 PPE units provided 

to medical facilities

 ● Vehicles for hospitals, X-ray 
machines, and other medical 
equipment

 ● 1,000 families of employees  
that have three or more 
underage children or are raising 
children with disabilities received 
financial support

 ● 25,000 food parcels were 
provided to elderly people, 
veterans, families with three 
or more underage children,  
and single parents in the regions 
where the Group operates 

measures to protect employees’ 
interests. Additionally, in August,  
at the live phone-in event with the CEO,  
he spoke about the way that the Company 
coped with the crisis period, and 
employees could pose their questions 
to him directly.

Many of our business processes have 
undergone changes. NLMK had two main 
goals: employee safety and production 
continuity. The Company was successful 
in adapting to the new conditions. 

For instance, the NLMK Innovation 
Lab began holding its idea generation 
and project exploration sessions 
in an online format. In 2020 the Lab and 
the Sessions & Conferences department 
of the Corporate University organized 
four in-person events for Sintering 
& Ironmaking, Rolling Operations, 
Steelmaking, and the Procurement 
function. 

The pandemic became a professional 
challenge for our IT departments, 
which had to urgently lay a technical 
foundation for effective remote work. 
It took the IT infrastructure team only 
two weeks to deploy remote access 
services on a mass scale.

In order to continuously develop our 
employees’ qualifications, we transferred 
most training activities into an online 
format. The Corporate University team 
adapted the contents of its programmes 
accordingly. 

The pandemic also spurred changes 
in the processes related to major 
repairs at NLMK’s flagship Lipetsk 
site. We piloted the Virtual Line Walk 
system for monitoring construction 
and installation works and successfully 

used it during the overhaul of a continuous casting machine in BOF Shop No. 2. 
The service is designed to oversee construction works, including those at remote 
facilities, compare the actual construction with the 3D project models, and collect 
retrospective data for subsequent analysis of the construction process.

The pandemic gave further impetus to the Company’s digitalization process, 
stimulated the development of the corporate volunteer movement, with more 
volunteers joining its ranks at Company level, and shifted the focus of charitable 
activities towards supporting healthcare.

When it comes to the Company’s economic and financial performance, the pandemic 
had an adverse impact on overall business activity in Q2 2020, leading to significantly 
weaker steel demand at our traditional sales markets and to lower steel product 
prices. In April 2020 we had to reduce output at our Long Products Division.

In order to sustain high capacity utilization at NLMK’s flagship Lipetsk site, we adjusted 
our regional sales structure (in particular, increasing supplies to Asian markets in 
April and May) and diversified our product portfolio. NLMK Group’s flexible business 
model enabled it to redirect its supplies, mainly to China, where steel demand had 
already started to recover. 

We navigated the crisis with confidence by relying on our diversified product line-up 
and flexible supply chains. The Company proceeded with its main investment projects 
planned for 2020. In this difficult period, our financial performance remained stable.

In 2020, the total programme budget for various measures to combat the pandemic 
amounted to more than RUB 4.7 billion, including RUB 4.1 billion — for internal  
expenses (measures to reduce the risk of the spread of infection, social support  
for employees, etc.), RUB 0.6 billion - for external social expenses (support for 
the regions of presence).

Stoilensky provides assistance to Stary Oskol medical professionals

Stoilensky Mining and Beneficiation Plant, an NLMK Group company, provided 
three ventilators to medical facilities in Stary Oskol. In order to curb the spread 
of COVID-19, the plant assisted the city in purchasing masks, gloves, and 
disinfectants for a total of RUB 1.5 million.

NLMK’s social partner, the Miloserdiye Charity Fund, provided 500 protective 
suits to health professionals on the frontlines of the fight against the virus.

In order to sensitize local communities on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19,  
Stoilensky placed banners with information about key prevention measures 
around the city.

36

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

MARKET REVIEW

GLOBAL STEEL PRODUCTION,  
BN T

PRICE TRENDS

The COVID-19 pandemic has had 
a significant impact on the global 
steel industry in 2020. A high level 
of uncertainty, restrictions to contain 
the spread of the infection, partial 
suspension of production chains, 
and turbulence on raw material 
markets have led to substantial supply 
and demand imbalances, changing 
the structure of global trade flows  
in all key regions. 

The first country where business activity 
began to recover was China. A large-
scale state programme to stimulate 
the economy and finance major 
infrastructure projects led to a surge 
in internal demand for steel products 
and, consequently, an increase in steel 
product prices globally.

Worldsteel Association estimates 
that in 2020 global steel production 
decreased by 1% yoy to 1.83 bn t, which 
was almost entirely offset by China’s 
all-time-high steel output (+5% yoy, 
to 1.05 bn t). Average global steelmaking 
capacity utilization stood at 82%. 

Global apparent demand decreased 
by 2% yoy, to 1.75 bn t, while in China 
it grew by 8% yoy to 1.02 bn t.  
At the same time, exports from China 
went down by 17% yoy to 54 m t. 

US MARKET

In 2020 steel output in the US decreased by 17% yoy to 73 m t. Capacity utilization 
rates averaged 67%, and remained lower than pre-crisis levels at the end of  
the reporting period.

Steel consumption in 2020 went down by 19% yoy to 86 m t amid limited demand  
from manufacturers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand was recovering  
in the automotive and construction sectors towards the end of the reporting period,  
but steelmakers’ lead times reached record highs: long-term contracts were prioritized 
and there was practically no steel supply on the spot market. 

Steel imports in 2020 decreased by 21% yoy to 20 m t, while exports were down by 4% 
yoy to 6 m t.

EU MARKET

Steel output decreased by 12% yoy to 139 m t. By the end of the year steel output 
bounced back to almost pre-crisis levels as production became highly marginal. 
Capacity utilization rates during the pandemic went down to nearly as low as 50%,  
but recovered to 70% by the end of the year. 

Apparent steel product consumption in the EU was down by 12% yoy to 142 m t in 2020, 
as demand was low due to the COVID-19 pandemic and capacities had to be suspended. 
At the end of the reporting period demand was recovering in the automotive and 
machine building sectors. 

Imports of flat and long steel were down by 17% yoy to 21 m t, while exports decreased 
by 13% yoy to 18 m t.

RUSSIAN MARKET

In 2020 apparent consumption of finished steel products decreased by 3% yoy due  
to limited demand for flat and long products. Demand for coated steel grew by 4%  
due to an uptick in construction and renovation of country houses during the COVID-19 
pandemic. Internal demand was supported by the state programme of discount 
mortgages and subsidies for the automotive industry. 

Steel output in Russia remained flat yoy in 2020, totalling 72 m t. Meanwhile, steel 
imports were down by 18% yoy to 5.1 m t, and finished steel exports increased 
by 6% yoy, reaching 13 m t.

Sources: Bloomberg, Worldsteel, Eurofer, Metal Expert. Preliminary data.

1.63 1.73

1.81

1.87

1.83

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

STEEL PRODUCTION  
BY REGION, %

2 2 5

4

6

8

16

58

China
Asia, excl. China
EU-28
North America
Russia
Middle East
South America
Others

Average global coal prices decreased by 29% yoy in 2020 due to weak demand 
from the steel industry during the pandemic and China’s restrictions on imports 
of Australian coal. Iron ore prices grew by 15% yoy due to high demand from Chinese 
steelmakers amid forecasts of lower raw material supplies from Brazil and Australia. 
Market prices for flat products in the US were down by 2% yoy, hitting a local minimum 
in early Q3 2020 and later rebounding sharply to multi-year highs. The decrease 
in European prices averaged 5% yoy, but starting from early Q3 the region saw 
dramatic growth as well. Dollar-denominated steel product prices on the Russian 
market decreased by 9-13% yoy following global prices and a weaker ruble.

GLOBAL RAW MATERIALS PRICES, $/T

200

150

100

50

0

250

200

150

100

50

0

Feb

Apr

Jun

Aug

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Jun

Aug

Oct

Dec

2019

2020

Iron ore (CFR China)
Coal (FOB Australia, right axis)
Coal (CFR China, right axis)

HOT-ROLLED STEEL PRICES, EXW, $/T

1,100

900

700

500

300

EXPORTS FROM CHINA, M T

109

76

70

64

54

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Feb

Apr

Jun

Aug

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Jun

Aug

Oct

Dec

2019

EU

Russia

USA

China

2020

Source: Bloomberg

38

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Steel output grew by 1% yoy to 3.9 m t 
(+3% yoy) following the increase in 
productivity. NLMK Lipetsk capacity 
utilization rate remained high at 98%. 
Russian Long Products capacities were 
running at 84%. The utilization rate of 
NLMK’s European companies was 79%. 

Consolidated sales grew by 3% yoy  
to 17.5 m t supported by a three-fold  
yoy increase in pig iron sales to 1.5 m t 
amid higher steel output during  
BOF overhauls at NLMK Lipetsk. Sales  
of semi-finished products to third 
parties grew by 25% yoy to 4.9 m t  
due to higher pig iron and billet exports.  
Slab sales to NBH totalled 2.1 m t  
(flat yoy). Finished rolled steel sales 
declined by 5% yoy to 10.5 m t amid weak 
demand in April-May 2020 and sales 
redistribution to semi-finished products.

Sales on ‘home’ markets reduced by 6% 
yoy to 10.7 m t, which was mostly due to 
lower sales of NLMK USA. Sales in Russia 
remained flat year-on-year at 6.7 m t. 
Sales on export markets grew by 17% yoy 
to 6.8 m t, due mainly to higher pig iron 
and billet exports. 

Sales in the NLMK Russia Flat Products 
segment increased by 7% yoy to 13.4 m t 
as export sales of pig iron grew, along 
with hot-rolled steel sales on the Russian 
market. sales of finished steel reached 
6.1 m t (+5% yoy) amid the completion 
of repairs at NLMK’s Hot Strip Mill. Sales 
of semis to third parties went up by 27% 
yoy to 4.6 m t, driven mainly by higher 
export sales of pig iron. Sales of semis 

to NLMK Group and NBH companies totalled 2.7 m t (-12% yoy) due to lower slab demand 
from NLMK’s European companies and suspended slab supplies to NLMK USA.

NLMK Russia Long Products segment sales went down by 7% yoy to 2.6 m t due to 
lower demand for long products in 2020. Sales of long products in Russia went down 
by 12% yoy to 1.8 m t amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Export sales increased by 4% yoy 
to 0.9 m t due to higher billet sales to Turkey, China, and African markets.

Performance of NLMK’s international companies was influenced by the COVID-19 
pandemic: NLMK USA sales stood at 1.6 m t (-27% yoy). NLMK Dansteel Sales went down 
by 1% yoy to 0.52 m t. NBH deliveries decreased by 5% yoy to 2.1 m t sales.

Iron ore sales from the Mining segment remained flat year-on-year at 18.4 m t.  
Sales of iron ore to third parties totalled 0.8 m t (+57% yoy).

FINANCIAL RESULTS

REVENUE

NET PROFIT

Revenue reduced by 12% yoy to $9.2 bn, 
due to a reduction in steel product 
prices and an increase in the share 
of semi-finished products in total sales.

The share of semi-finished products 
in the revenue grew by 30% yoy  
to 4 p.p. due to higher pig iron and billet 
exports; the share of finished products 
decreased by 3 p.p. to 65%. The share  
of high value-added products decreased 
by 2 p.p. to 36%.

The share of the Russian market  
in the revenue totalled 41% (flat yoy).  
The EU and US share decreased  
to 17% and 15% accordingly (−1 p.p. yoy;  
−3 p.p. yoy).

EBITDA1

EBITDA reached $2.6 bn (+3% yoy). 
Strategy 2022 programme gains,  
the accrued refund from the US 
Department of Commerce in line 
with the settlement agreement, and 
a weaker ruble fully offset the narrower 
slab/uncoated flat steel spread and 
the negative impact of the incident 
at Stoilensky in September 2020.

Commercial expenses totalled  
$845 m (flat yoy). General and 
administrative expenses decreased  
by 2% yoy to $346 m.

Net profit reduced by 8% yoy to $1.2 bn mainly due to the recognition of the NBH 
investment value impairment in the amount of $120 m in Q2 2020. Without the impact 
of this non-cash transaction, net profit would have stood at $1.3 bn.

FREE CASH FLOW

Free cash flow decreased by 28% yoy to $1.1 bn due to working capital financing  
as receivables grew.

Cash outflow from working capital totalled $16 m due to:
1.  − $177 m: an increase in receivables due to higher prices and increased  

slab sales to NBH

2.  + $117 m: a decrease in raw material and finished product stocks
3.  + $46 m: an increase in payables

INVESTMENT

The Group’s investment went up by 4% yoy to $1.1 m in line with the previous guidance. 
The increase of investment was due to the completion of large-scale upgrade projects  
at the NLMK Lipetsk blast furnace operations and active phase of investment 
programme implementation in line with Strategy 2022.

DIVIDENDS

On 11 February 2021, the Board of Directors recommended that shareholders approve 
the payment of Q4 2020 dividends in the amount of RUB 7.25 per share  
(for a total of $570 m). Consequently, the Company can accrue 12M 2020 dividends  
in the amount of RUB 21.64 per share.

DEBT MANAGEMENT

Total debt in 2020 grew by 31% yoy to $3.5 bn.

Net debt increased by 40% yoy to $2.5 bn due to cash outflow to dividend payments 
and increase of investment. Net debt/EBITDA was 0.94x.

1  EBITDA used in NLMK’s financial releases is calculated as operating profit before equity share in net losses of associates and other companies accounted  
for using the equity method of accounting, impairment and write-off of assets, adjusted to depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not an indicator  
of operating profit, operating activity or liquidity under IFRS, and NLMK discloses it because equivalent indicators could be used by investors and analysts. 
That said, NLMK’s EBITDA should not be viewed on a standalone basis, or in place of profit before tax, or cash flows from operations, as defined by IFRS,  
or as an indicator of operational efficiency, or as the sum of free cash funds that NLMK can invest into business development. NLMK’s EBITDA margin  
and EBITDA might not be comparable to similar indicators disclosed by other companies as there are no commonly accepted rules for calculating them.  
For instance, NLMK’s EBITDA is calculated similar to what is termed as ‘Adjusted EBITDA’ in other companies, as NLMK’s EBITDA excludes other profit/loss 
items in addition to interest payments, income tax, depreciation and amortization.

40

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT

GENERATING ECONOMIC VALUE

By implementing its activities in various areas of sustainable development,  
NLMK Group generates additional value for its stakeholders. In 2020, the volume  
of distributed economic value amounted to $ 9,230 m1.

ECONOMIC VALUE GENERATED AND DISTRIBUTED, $ M  GRI 201-1 

Indicator

Stakeholder group

Generated direct economic value

Revenue

Revenue from financial 
investments

Income from sale of assets

Distributed economic value

Wide range of stakeholders

Operating expenses

Wide range of stakeholders

2017

10,104

10,065

29

10

(9,773)

(6,994)

2018

12,069

12,046

21

2

(11,565)

(7,967)

2019

10,578

10,554

18

6

(11,111)

(7,516)

2020

9,274

9,245

18

11

(9,230)

(6,201)

SEGMENT RESULTS

NLMK Russia Flat Products

EBITDA decreased by 4% yoy to $1.4 bn amid narrowing price spreads and  
higher personnel costs due to additional one-off payments to employees as part  
of the COVID-19 pandemic support.

NLMK Russia Long Products

EBITDA grew by 4% yoy to $93 m due to operational efficiency programme gains 
and a weaker ruble, as the share of billet exports increased.

Mining and Processing  
of Raw Materials

NLMK USA

NLMK DanSteel and plate  
distribution network

JV performance (NBH)

EBITDA increased by 9% yoy to $1.1 bn due to higher iron ore prices, a weaker ruble, 
and gains from investment and operational efficiency programmes that offset 
production losses associated with the September 2020 incident.

EBITDA grew to $76 m, vs. −$37 m in 2019. Without the accrued refund in line with 
the settlement agreement with the US Department of Commerce, the Segment’s 
EBITDA was −$21 m amid lower output and sales.

EBITDA decreased to −$4 m (vs. $8 m the previous year) due to lower plate prices.

EBITDA totalled −$93 m vs. −$134 m the previous year. Losses in the Segment were 
due to low prices for end products coupled with a decrease in output and sales 
amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The relative decrease in losses vs. the previous year 
was due, among other factors, to last year’s accrual of non-operating provisions 
for NLMK Clabecq restructuring.

Employee wages and other 
payments and benefits paid 
to employees

Payments to providers  
of capital

Employees

(960)

(979)

(970)

(909)

(1,354)

(1,946)

including dividends paid

Shareholders and investors

(1,285)

(1,890)

including interests paid 
to creditors

Payments to government

Government authorities

Community investments

Local communities

Non-distributed economic value

(69)

(454)

(11)

331

(56)

(662)

(11)

504

(2,169)

(2,120)

(49)

(445)

(11)

(533)

(1,702)

(1,638)

(64)

(372)

(46)

44

42

43

1  Calculated as required by GRI Standard 201.

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RATINGS

The high positions of NLMK Group in the ratings of the leading international  
ESG agencies reflect the efforts of the NLMK Group management in the field 
of sustainable development.

45/100 – score in 2020  
The score increased by 12 points yoy – to a level  
higher than the industry average 

28/100 – score in 20202 
The score improved by 3.3 points yoy. NLMK is in the top-5  
among 140 metals & mining companies analysed by the agency 

3,5/5 – score in 2020 
NLMK’s assessment is higher than the industry average.  
The Company’s shares continue to be part  
of the FTSE4Good index following the June 2020 revision.

BBB – score in 2019 and 2020 
(where CCC – the lowest score, ААА – the highest) 
NLMK’s rating is at the industry average level.

CONTACTS

We will be happy to answer additional questions regarding  
this Report as well as to receive feedback from our 
stakeholders in order to further develop and improve  
the content of the Company’s future public reports  
 GRI 102-53 .

Contact person
Dmitry Kolomytsyn, CFA,  
Corporate Finance and Investor Relations Director
Ekaterina Kokareva, CFA,  
Head of Investor Relations
Email: ir@nlmk.com

NLMK Representative Office in Moscow
119017 40-3, Bolshaya Ordynka St., Moscow  
 GRI 102-3 

FIVE-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Indicators

Financial performance,1 $ m

Revenue

Net profit2

EBITDA

EBITDA margin

Operating cash flow

Investment

Net debt 

Free cash flow 

Dividends, $ per share

Operating performance,2 ‘000 t

Steel output

Steel output (with NBH)

Steel product sales

Finished steel sales 

Sales to home markets

Sustainability performance

NLMK Group headcount, '000 people

Labour productivity, t of steel/pers., 
NLMK Lipetsk

Specific air emissions, kg/t of steel

Specific CO2 emissions, t/t of steel + 
merchant pig iron (Scope 1)

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

7,636

935

1,943

25%

1,699

559

761

1,092

0.1535

16,438

16,641

15,925

10,211

10,225

54.0

482

20.0

1.76

10,065

1,450

2,655

26%

1,899

592

923

1,266

0.2383

16,850

17,076

16,469

10,759

10,650

53.2

502

19.5

1.73

12,046

2,238

3,589

30%

2,741

680

891

2,027

0.3525

17,285

17,493

17,591

10,762

10,573

53.4

503

18.9

1.70

10,554

1,339

2,564

24%

2,623

1,080

1,786

1,523

0.2630

15,531

15,696

17,069

11,056

11,376

52.8

448

9,245

1,236

2,645

29%

2,281

1,124

2,495

1,103

–

15,667

15,833

17,520

10,535

10,744

51.9

461

20.2 (18.9)3

19.8 (18.6)3 

1.75

1.72

1  The lower the score, the better the company manages sustainability issues.

44

1  Excluding NBH, unless otherwise specified.
2  Net profit attributable to NLMK shareholders.
3  Specific emissions without influence of temporary factors associated with steel output reduction.

45

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
CORPORATE

48  Corporate governance

80  Operational control and  

risk management

91 

Information for shareholders 
and investors

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  
SYSTEM

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  
IN ACTION

NLMK Group’s corporate governance 
system plays a key role in the Company’s 
operations, its successful sustainable 
development, risk management, and 
in balancing the rights and interests 
of shareholders, the Company 
management, and other stakeholders. 
The system is built on best international 
practices, the requirements of 
the prevailing Russian legislation and 
laws of the countries where the Group 
companies operate, the OECD Principles 
of Corporate Governance, the listing 
rules of the Moscow and London 
stock exchanges, GRI information 
disclosure standards, and provisions 
of the Corporate Governance Code 
recommended for useby the Central 
Bank of Russia.

The functioning of a well-developed 
corporate governance system that 
secures the rights of shareholders 
and potential investors is considered 
a driving force for enhancing NLMK’s 
efficiency and investment appeal.

Key principles at the core of our 
corporate governance

1.  Sustainable development and  
long-term growth of return  
on equity investment

2.  Equal and fair treatment of all 

shareholders when they exercise 
their right to be involved in 
management processes, receive 
dividends from the Company, 
participate in meetings, vote 
on issues on the agenda, and  
get up-to-date information  
on the activities of the Company  
and its governing and controlling 
bodies

NLMK’S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE   
 GRI 102-18 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

HUMAN RESOURCES, REMUNERATION,  
AND SOCIAL POLICY COMMITTEE

CORPORATE SECRETARY

AUDIT COMMITTEE

CEO (CHAIRMAN  
OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD)

INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE

3.  Equal treatment of all shareholders, including non-Russians and minority 

shareholders

4.  Commitment to ensure reliable and effective registration of title to shares and 
guarantee the opportunity to alienate them freely and without encumbrances

5.  Compliance with existing laws, principles of the Corporate Governance Code 

recommended by the Bank of Russia, and international corporate governance 
standards

6.  Observing the rights of third parties, including creditors and NLMK employees, 

as required by the law, the Charter, and other regulatory documents

7.  Adherence to a common corporate policy in respect of subsidiary companies, 
affiliates and other legal entities in which NLMK is the founder, a participant,  
or a member

8.  Open and transparent communications, including by disclosing full and up-to-date 

information about the Company to give shareholders and investors an opportunity 
to make informed decisions, as well as by providing documents (information) 
related to the Company upon shareholders’ request
9.  Complying with business ethics in conducting operations

All documents regulating corporate governance practices and principles are available 
on NLMK Group’s official website.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  
STRUCTURE

of the Company’s activities, excluding issues that fall within the purview of the General 
Meeting of Shareholders according to the NLMK Charter

 ● Committees of the Board of Directors, which were established to tentatively review 

According to internal Company 
documents, NLMK’s corporate 
governance structure includes:
 ● The General Meeting of Shareholders, 

key matters concerning the Company’s activities

 ● The CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) and the Management Board, which 
manage the Company’s day-to-day activities and ensure its efficient operation, 
while implementing the objectives set by the Board of Directors 

which is the Company’s supreme 
governing body that makes decisions 
on key business issues

 ● The Company’s Corporate Secretary, who handles interaction with shareholders, 
coordinates the Company’s activities that aim to protect shareholders’ rights  
and interests, and supports the Board of Directors

 ● The Board of Directors, which  

 ● The Internal Audit Service, which oversees the Company’s financial and economic 

handles the overall management  

activities

48

49

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

IMPROVING CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE  
PRACTICES IN 2020

In 2020, the Company continued to 
improve its corporate governance 
system to ensure it complies with 
international standards.

In accordance with best Russian and 
international corporate governance 
practices, the following steps were taken:
 ● In March 2020 the Board of 

Directors approved a new revision 
of the Regulations on Insider 
Information, which takes into 
account the recommendations and 
requirements of Russian and EU 
legislation. The revision of the insider 
information management system 
included updating the list of insider 
information and the Regulations on 
access to insider information, the rules 
of protecting its confidentiality and  
of internal control over compliance.

COMPLIANCE OF THE GROUP’S 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
CODE RECOMMENDATIONS

10

69

Compliance 
ensured
Partial 
compliance

 ● In December 2020 the Board of Directors approved the Internal Control and  
Risk Management Policy, a top-level document regulating the functioning  
of the Company’s internal control and risk management system and serving  
as the basis for further development of internal methodological, organizational  
and administrative documents regulating the organization and implementation  
of risk management and internal control.

 ● In February 2020 the Board of Directors approved a new revision of the Corporate 
Governance Code to align it with the changes adopted earlier at the Extraordinary 
General Meeting of Shareholders to the Regulations on the Board of Directors 
regarding the removal of the list of standing committees, which will allow 
the Board of Directors, within its competence defined by the NLMK Charter,  
to set up and reorganize committees efficiently in accordance with the Company’s 
current needs.

Based on its 2020 results, NLMK complies with all principles of the Corporate 
Governance Code: 69 principles (87%) are fully observed and 10 principles are  
partially observed. The Company uses the recommendations of the Bank of Russia  
on preparing a report on compliance with the Corporate Governance Code  
as a methodology to assess compliance with corporate governance principles.

At meetings held in 2020, the Company continued to employ an electronic voting 
service, which allows shareholders to vote regardless of where their shares are 
registered. The total number of shareholders to have used the service in 2020  
has doubled since 2019.

In accordance with Federal Law No. 50-FZ dd. 18.03.2020 and a resolution  
of the Board of Directors, the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders  
on 2019 performance was held by absentee ballot.

In 2020, the number of NLMK shareholders increased by 1.7 times, and by the end  
of the year it exceeded 114,000 (+70% growth over the year).

PLANS FOR 2021 AND THE MEDIUM TERM 

In 2021, NLMK will continue to analyze the best corporate governance practices  
and evaluate them in terms of their introduction into the Company’s activities. 
Further steps in relation with the external evaluation of the Board of Directors and  
an analysis of its results are planned in order to improve the efficiency of the corporate 
governance system. As always, attention will be paid to the analysis ofrankings and 
benchmarking, which allow to assess issuers’ achievements objectively and to identify 
practices that might bring the greatest benefit to the Company and are important 
for its stakeholders.

GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Company strives to ensure equal 
and fair treatment of all shareholders 
when they exercise their right to 
participate in the management of NLMK.

NLMK shareholders are given an equal 
and fair opportunity to participate  
in the Company’s profits by receiving 
dividends on equal terms.

NLMK'S GENERAL  
MEETING 
OF SHAREHOLDERS 
PROCEDURES 

The General Meeting of Shareholders  
is NLMK’s supreme governing body  
that functions based on the legislation 
of the Russian Federation, the NLMK 
Charter, and the Regulations on 
the General Meeting of Shareholders. 
The Federal Law ‘On Joint-Stock 
Companies’ and the NLMK Charter 
establish the General Meeting’s 
competence. The procedure for 
preparing, convening, holding, and 
summarizing the results of NLMK’s 
General Meeting of Shareholders is set 
forth in the Regulations on NLMK’s General 
Meeting of Shareholders published on 
the Company’s official website.

The Company’s internal documents stipulating the General Meeting procedure 
contain, among other things, provisions relating to:
 ● The option for the Company's shareholders to participate in the Meeting  

of Shareholders online

 ● The option to discuss agenda items and make decisions on issues put to a vote  

while being absent from the venue where the voting takes place

 ● The option to complete electronic ballots online

The notice about the General Meeting of Shareholders and documents (materials) 
to be provided to persons entitled to participate in the General Meeting of 
Shareholders are published in Russian and in English on NLMK’s website according 
to the procedure and within the timeframe established by the NLMK Charter  
and Russian legislation, at least 30 days before the meeting.

In addition to the mandatory materials required by law, the Company provides  
its shareholders with additional information and materials pertaining to the agenda 
items of the General Meeting of Shareholders in line with the recommendations 
of the Corporate Governance Code recommended by the Central Bank of Russia. 
For instance, the Company posts a map of how to get to the General Meeting 
of Shareholders, a sample form of a proxy that shareholders may issue to their 
representative for participation in the meeting, and information on certifying  
such proxy.

The Company also publishes all this information in English to ensure the equal 
treatment of all shareholders, including international ones.

The Company’s independent registrar functions as the counting commission  
of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

The voting results and resolutions passed by the General Meeting of Shareholders 
are disclosed in accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation and 
published on the Company's website.

50

51

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ACTIVITIES IN 2020

Five General Meetings of Shareholders 
were held in 2020.

NLMK’s Annual General Meeting 
of Shareholders on 2019 performance 
was held on 24 April 2020 by absentee 
ballot. It was attended by shareholders 
and shareholder representatives holding 
a total of 88.72% of NLMK’s equity,  
which meets the quorum requirements. 
During the meeting, resolutions were 
passed on the issues envisaged by Item 1,  
Article 47 of the Federal Law ‘On Joint-
Stock Companies’. The resolution  
on the payment of FY 2019 dividends  
was not passed (it was later passed  
at the Extraordinary Meeting  
on 29 May 2020).

NLMK’s 2020 Extraordinary General 
Meetings of Shareholders were held  
by absentee ballot.

At the NLMK Extraordinary General 
Meeting of Shareholders held 
on 29 May 2020, shareholders passed 
a resolution to pay (declare) FY 2019 
dividends on ordinary shares in  
the amount of RUB 17.36 per ordinary 
share, including out of previous profits.  
Taking into account the interim  
dividends paid in the amount of RUB 14.24 
per ordinary share, the outstanding  
amount for payment was RUB 3.12  
per ordinary share.

At the NLMK Extraordinary General 
Meeting of Shareholders held on  
30 June 2020, shareholders passed 

a resolution to pay (declare) Q1 2020 dividends on ordinary shares in the amount  
of RUB 3.21 per ordinary share, including out of retained earnings.

At the NLMK Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on 
25 September 2020, shareholders passed a resolution to pay (declare) H1 2020 
dividends on ordinary shares in the amount of RUB 4.75 per common share,  
including out of retained earnings.

At the NLMK Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on 18 December 2020, 
shareholders passed a resolution to pay (declare) 9M 2020 dividends on ordinary 
shares in the amount of RUB 6.43 per common share, including out of retained 
earnings. They also voted to approve NLMK’s membership in the Tsentrisiskaniya 
Self-Regulatory Organization (Central Association of Organizations for Engineering 
Construction Survey).

Detailed information on the voting results and resolutions passed by the General 
Meetings of Shareholders in 2020 is available on the Company’s website.

NLMK'S GENERAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS  
HELD IN 2020

General Meeting of Shareholders by status (format)

Number

Annual meeting  
(absentee ballot using e-voting technology)

Extraordinary meeting  
(absentee ballot using e-voting technology)

1

4

NLMK'S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS 
HELD IN 2020

Date

29.05.2020

30.06.2020

25.09.2020

18.12.2020

Number of votes held by the General Meeting participants,%

89.02

89.19

89.44

90.22

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NLMK BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS 
PROCEDURES

The Regulations on the Board of Directors establish the procedure of preparing  
for and holding meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as the procedure  
for the nomination and selection of potential Board members  GRI 102-24 .

A key component of the Company’s 
corporate governance system,  
the Board of Directors determines  
its strategic vectors, lays down  
the principles of and approaches  
to the risk management and internal 
control system, monitors the activities 
of executive bodies, and has other  
key functions within the Company. 
NLMK’s Board of Directors reports  
to the Company’s shareholders  
and is elected by a resolution  
of the Company’s General Meeting  
of Shareholders  GRI 102-26 .

In addition to the main functions 
of the Board of Directors stipulated 
by legislation and NLMK’s Regulations 
on the Board of Directors, key 
importance is attached to such goals 
and objectives as assessing political, 
financial, and other risks, ensuring 
compliance with corporate governance 
and sustainable development principles, 
and monitoring compliance with  
the Sustainable Development Policy.

Members of the Company’s Board 
of Directors ensure the reliability and 
stability of the Company’s operations, 
facilitate the adoption of balanced 
decisions by management, and make 
objective independent judgements  
and decisions that serve the interests 
of the Company and its shareholders.

Members of the Company’s Board of Directors have sufficient time to fulfil their 
obligations efficiently and in good faith, including for participation in meetings  
of the Board of Directors and its committees. The requirement for members  
of the Board of Directors to have sufficient time for efficient participation  
in the Board’s work is enshrined in NLMK’s Corporate Governance Code.

Meetings of the Board of Directors are held on a regular basis at least six times  
a year in accordance with the approved schedule.

The format of NLMK Board meetings is determined based on the importance  
of the agenda items. The most important items within the Board’s remit are resolved 
at in-person meetings, and as a rule, are first reviewed by the Board’s committees, 
thereby ensuring their thorough consideration and informed decision-making.  
Amid the pandemic, the prevailing meeting format was via videoconference, which 
enabled members to consider agenda items without compromising discussion quality. 
The effectiveness of the Board of Directors is facilitated by the following components:
 ● Planning its activities by approving the meeting schedule
 ● Optimal Board composition that is balanced in terms of qualifications and 

experience

 ● Inclusion of independent directors on the Board
 ● Induction procedures for newly elected members of the Board of Directors
 ● Annual assessment of the Board of Directors and its committees
 ● Ensuring the succession of the Board of Directors by regularly rotating its 

composition while preserving its purview and best practices

The NLMK Charter and the Regulations on the Board of Directors published  
on the Company’s official website govern the procedures of the Board of Directors.

Information on the activities of NLMK’s Board of Directors, including information on 
its composition, its committees, meetings, and decisions is disclosed on the Company’s 
official website.

52

53

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS 

 GRI 102-22  The composition of the Company’s Board of Directors is balanced in terms 
of qualification, experience, knowledge, business acumen, and diversity. Members 
of the Board of Directors have an impeccable business reputation, knowledge, skills, 
and experience in steelmaking, mining, finance, investment, corporate governance, 
and other areas that are important for governing the Company successfully.

Мembers of the Board of Directors have ample work experience as CEOs, partners, 
and management body members of major international companies. The Company  
pays particular attention to the diversity of the Board’s composition and the share  
of independent directors. The Board of Directors includes a woman and citizens  
of various states, ensuring sociocultural and gender diversity. 

VLADIMIR LISIN

OLEG BAGRIN

THOMAS VERASZTO

MARJAN OUDEMAN

STANISLAV SHEKSHNIA

BENEDICT SCIORTINO

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Member of the Board of Directors

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

Chairman of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Chair of the Audit Committee and 
member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee

Chairman of the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social Policy 
Committee and member of the Audit 
Committee

Member of the Audit Committee  
and member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee

DIRECTORS’ EXPERTISE 
IN THE STEEL SECTOR

DIRECTORS’ LENGTH  
OF TENURE1

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS BY DIRECTOR 
STATUS1

4

3

3

3

3

NIKOLAI GAGARIN

SERGEY KRAVCHENKO

JOACHIM LIMBERG

Member of the Board of Directors 

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Member of the Board of Directors, 
Independent director

Member of the Audit Committee

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Audit Committee

2

> 20 years
10–20 years
< 10 years

3

< 4 years
4–10 years
> 10 years

1  As of 31 December 2020.

54

6

Independent 
directors
Non-executive 
directors

55

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS

 GRI 102-23  The Chairman of the Board 
of Directors ensures the efficient 
functioning of the Board of Directors, 
arranges for the preparation of 
the Board’s schedule, supervises 
the execution of resolutions passed by 
the Board, compiles the agenda, and 
makes sure that the most efficient 
decisions on the agenda items are made.

The Chairman of the Board also 
plays a key role in organizing 
the Board’s activities and ensuring 
that the committees of the Board of 
Directors function efficiently.

The Chairman of the Board is elected 
by its members among themselves 
by a majority vote of the total number 
of Board members.

The Chairman of NLMK’s Board of 
Directors has extensive experience, 
professional expertise, and authority 
among the Company’s shareholders, 
members of governing bodies, and 
employees.

INDEPENDENT  
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS

In order to ensure that the Board 
of Directors effectively performs its 
functions, including those related 
to the protection of shareholders’ 
interests and risk management, 
the Company’s Board of Directors 
includes independent directors. 
Their participation in the Board’s 
activities contributes to the formation 
of objective opinions on the items 
discussed, improves management 
efficiency, and has a positive impact 
on the Company’s image.

The fact that the governing body includes independent directors increases the level 
of confidence in the Company among shareholders and the investment community. 
Independent directors, who have made up the majority of the Company’s Board since 
2016, make a decisive contribution to discussions and decision-making on issues 
that may affect the interests of shareholders, including devising the Company’s 
development strategy, assessing the conformity of its activities with the Company’s 
chosen strategy, preventing and resolving corporate conflicts, assessing the quality 
of work performed by the executive bodies, establishing an efficient incentive system, 
and conducting performance assessments to ensure that the Company’s activities 
are in the interest of all its shareholders. In addition, independent directors play a key 
role in the operation of the Board’s committees.

The Corporate Secretary regularly conducts a preliminary analysis and assessment 
of the Board members’ compliance with independence criteria.

NLMK’s independent directors fully meet the independence criteria stipulated by 
the Regulations on the Company’s Board of Directors and the Corporate Governance 
Code recommended by the Bank of Russia.

In some exceptional cases, the Board of Directors may recognize the independent 
status of a member of the Board of Directors in the assessment process, despite 
them having some formal criteria of being affiliated with the Company, as long as such 
affiliation does not affect the individual’s ability to exercise independent, impartial,  
and fair judgement.

In the course of the independence assessment of Board members, conducted by 
the Board of Directors in 2020, five out of six directors were deemed to be fully 
compliant with the independence criteria defined by the Regulations on the Company’s 
Board of Directors, while one director, who has a formal relationship with NLMK  
(Mr. Benedict Sciortino has been a member of the Board for more than seven,  
but less than twelve years), was recognized as independent due to the formality  
of his affiliation and the fact that it does not influence the director’s decisions and  
his work on the Board of Directors.

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 GRI 102-22  The share of directors matching the independence criteria stands at 67%, 
which is one of the best ratios among public Russian companies with advanced 
corporate governance practices.

As of 31 December 2020, the Board of Directors elected at the Annual General 
Meeting of Shareholders on 24 April 2020 consisted of nine members, including 
six independent directors. In order to maintain the balance of key competencies, 
experience, and the optimal Board composition, including the optimal number 
of independent directors on the Board, the Company continuously ensures 
succession on the Board of Directors. In 2020, Sergey Kravchenko was elected  
as a new independent director.

MEMBERS OF NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2020

Board 
member

Position

Tenure, 
years

Status

Vladimir  
Lisin

Oleg  
Bagrin

Thomas 
Veraszto

Nikolai  
Gagarin

Sergey

Kravchenko

Joachim 
Limberg

Marjan 
Oudeman

Stanislav 
Shekshnia

Benedict 
Sciortino

Chairman of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Member of the Board 
of Directors

24

16

5

19

1

2

3

6

9

Non-executive 
director

Non-executive 
director

Independent 
director

Non-executive 
director

Independent 
director

Independent 
director

Independent 
director

Independent 
director

Independent 
director

Member 
of the Strategic 
Planning 
Committee

Member 
of the Audit 
Committee

Member 
of the Human 
Resources, 
Remuneration, 
and Social Policy 
Committee

✔

Chair

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Chair

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Chair

56

57

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

COMPOSITION OF NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2020

BIOGRAPHIES OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Composition of NLMK Board of Directors  
from 19 April 2019 until 24 April 2020

Composition of NLMK Board of Directors elected  
on 24 April 2020

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Position

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Position

Vladimir Lisin

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Vladimir Lisin

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Oleg Bagrin

Member of the Board of Directors

Oleg Bagrin

Member of the Board of Directors

Thomas Veraszto

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Thomas Veraszto

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Nikolai Gagarin

Member of the Board of Directors

Nikolai Gagarin

Member of the Board of Directors

Karen Sarkisov

Member of the Board of Directors

Sergey Kravchenko

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Stanislav Shekshnia

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Stanislav Shekshnia

Member of the Board of Directors

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Marjan Oudeman

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

Marjan Oudeman

Member of the Board of Directors, 
independent director

KEY COMPETENCIES OF THE NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
 GRI 102-27 

Competency

Number of Board members

Board  
of Directors (9)1

Strategic Planning 
Committee (7)

Audit Committee (5)

Human Resources, 
Remuneration, 
and Social Policy 
Committee (5)

Knowledge of industry

Corporate governance

Strategy

Finance and investment

HR management

Risk management

Customers and sales

Digitalization and IT

Sustainability

7

8

7

9

7

8

5

4

6

7

6

7

7

6

6

5

3

5

3

5

3

5

3

5

2

2

4

4

4

4

5

5

4

3

3

3

On 14 December 2020, Benedict Sciortino, who was previously not an NLMK 
shareholder, acquired 6,900 global depositary shares (equivalent to 69,000  
ordinary shares) making up 0.00115% of NLMK’s charter capital.

Other Board members are not NLMK shareholders.

1  The number in brackets indicates the number of Board members who sit on the executive body.

VLADIMIR LISIN

Year of birth: 1956

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 1996, Chairman of the Board  
of Directors since 1998

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

OLEG BAGRIN

Year of birth: 1974

CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) from 2012 until March 2018. 
Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2004

Chairman of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

THOMAS VERASZTO

Year of birth: 1962

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2016, independent director

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

Dr. Lisin started his career in 1975 as an electrical fitter. At Tulachermet, he worked 
his way up from assistant steelmaker to deputy shop manager. In 1986, he went 
to work in Kazakhstan, first as Deputy Chief Engineer and later as Deputy CEO  
of the Karaganda Steel Plant. He has been a member of boards of directors 
at several leading Russian steel companies since 1993.

Dr. Lisin graduated from Siberian Metallurgic Institute, where he majored in ferrous 
and non-ferrous foundries. In 1990, he graduated from the Higher School of 
Commerce under the Foreign Trade Academy. In 1992, he graduated from  
the Academy of National Economy with a major in economics and management.  
He holds a Ph.D. in engineering and economic sciences and is a professor. He won 
the USSR Council of Ministers Prize for Science and Technology, is an Honorary 
Metallurgist of the Russian Federation, and is a holder of the Order of Honour  
and the Order of Alexander Nevsky. He serves as President of the International 
Shooting Sport Federation.

Member of the Board of Freight One. Director and member of the Board of Directors 
of Fletcher Group Holdings Limited.

Oleg Bagrin graduated from the State Management University with a major 
in mathematical methods and operations research in economics. He has 
a postgraduate degree in economics and a degree in business administration  
from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Dr. Veraszto was a Partner and Managing Director with the Boston Consulting 
Group (BCG) in 2014–2015, serving primarily clients in the industrial goods sector 
on strategy, organizational development, and operational improvement. He 
continues to be a Senior Advisor for BCG in this area.

Dr. Veraszto has held senior management positions at large industrial and consulting 
companies such as McKinsey & Company, where he spent 15 years serving clients 
in various industries.

Dr. Veraszto earned a doctorate in law and a master’s in philosophy in Slavic 
languages in 1984 and 1985, respectively, both from the University of Graz (Austria).  
In 1988, he also received a diploma from the Bologna Center of the School 
of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University (USA).

NIKOLAI GAGARIN

Year of birth: 1950

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2001

Member of the Audit Committee

In 2003, as a Managing Partner, Mr. Gagarin was appointed Chairman of the Board 
at Reznik, Gagarin, Abushakhmin, and Partners Law Offices. He has been Chairman 
of the Board and a Managing Partner at Reznik, Gagarin, and Partners Law Offices, 
Moscow, since 2009.

Nikolai Gagarin has extensive experience in corporate law, foreign investment, 
taxation, finance, real estate, contract law, arbitration proceedings, and civil 
litigation.

He is a graduate of Lomonosov Moscow State University with a major in law.

58

59

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SERGEY KRAVCHENKO

President of Boeing Russia/CIS since 2002.

Year of birth: 1960

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2020, independent director

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee

JOACHIM LIMBERG

Year of birth: 1954

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2019, independent director

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee and member of the Audit 
Committee

Dr. Kravchenko is in charge of developing all of Boeing’s business areas in Russia, 
Ukraine, and the CIS countries. He leads a team consisting of regional department 
heads from every company sector. In 2017 he was appointed Innovation Accelerator 
Leader at Boeing Global Services.

Before joining Boeing in 1992, Dr. Kravchenko worked as professor and lead scientist 
at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also taught in Moscow and worked as a visiting 
professor and research consultant in the United States, Sweden, and South Korea.

Dr. Kravchenko graduated from Moscow Polytechnic University, obtaining his 
doctorate degree in engineering in 1991 and his title of professor in 1992. He has 
published more than 70 research papers and holds more than 20 patents in various 
areas of engineering.

He is an independent director at TMK Group.

Dr. Kravchenko is a member of the Russian Academy of Engineering, member  
of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Doctor Honoris  
Causa of the Georgian Technical University. In 2007 he was elected to the Board of 
Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. In 2009 Dr. Kravchenko 
was awarded the Businessman of the Year prize by the American Chamber of 
Commerce.

Mr. Limberg was Chairman of the Management Board of the Materials Services 
Business Area, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp Materials 
International GmbH from October 2009 until 31 December 2018. He was responsible 
for the Materials unit in Germany, North America, Eastern Europe, and Western 
Europe/Asia Pacific, Materials Processing Europe, Materials Trading, the Special 
Materials units (special steels) of AST and Distribution Stainless, as well as the Special 
Services units of Plastics Europe, Aerospace, and Technical Services.

Mr. Limberg began his career in 1976 at Klöckner. He then spent several years 
as managing director/CEO of various small and medium-size companies. In 1995, 
he joined thyssenkrupp Group, initially as head of the Product Management Steel 
and Materials Management departments at thyssenkrupp Schulte. In 1998, he was 
appointed to the Executive Board. From 2002 to 2005, he served as Chairman  
of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp Schulte GmbH. On 1 April 2001, Mr. Limberg 
was appointed to the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp Materials AG, later 
thyssenkrupp Services AG.

In January 2002, he was made additionally responsible for the North American 
operations of thyssenkrupp Materials N.A., of which he was chairman. With 
the establishment of thyssenkrupp Materials Europe GmbH on 1 June 2005, he took 
over as Chairman of the company’s Executive Board and continued in this position 
after the company was renamed thyssenkrupp Materials International GmbH.

From October 2006 to September 2009, he was Vice Chairman of the Executive 
Board of thyssenkrupp Services AG, where he was primarily responsible for strategic 
corporate development. One of his particular focuses was on developing activities  
in North America, Eastern Europe and South America, as well as establishing  
the aerospace and services business as core activities. This also included business 
actions in Asia, which he was in charge of for several years while located in Hong Kong.

Mr. Limberg is a professional exporter. He obtained a degree in economics  
(DIPLOM-ÖKONOM) from the Open University of Hagen and has extensive financial 
experience.

MARJAN OUDEMAN

Year of birth: 1958

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2018, independent director

Chair of the Audit Committee  
and member of the Strategic  
Planning Committee

KAREN SARKISOV

Year of birth: 1963

Member of the Strategic  
Planning Committee

Ms. Oudeman served as President of the Executive Board of Utrecht University  
(The Netherlands) from 2013 until June 2017.

From 2010 to 2013, Ms. Oudeman was a member of the Executive Committee 
of AkzoNobel, where she was responsible for HR and organizational development.

From 2007 to 2010, Ms. Oudeman served as a member of the Executive Committee 
of Corus Group, and Executive Director of the Corus Strip Products Division.

She also held the positions of CEO at Corus Nederland BV and Managing Director 
of Corus Strip Products Ijmuiden from 2004 to 2007, and Managing Director 
of Corus Packaging Plus from 2000 to 2004.

Before joining Corus, Ms. Oudeman worked for Hoogovens Group NV, where she 
held various corporate staff positions in legal, corporate finance, and controlling, 
culminating in 1998–2000 as a Member of the Management Board of the Steel Division 
of Hoogovens Group NV and Managing Director of Hoogovens Packaging Steel.

Ms. Oudeman holds positions in the governing bodies of a number of entities:  
she is a member of the Boards of Solvay SA, SHV Holdings, Aalberts NV, and  
UPM-Kymmene Corporation.

She has extensive experience as a line manager in the steel industry and 
considerable financial and international business experience.

Ms. Oudeman has a law degree from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands 
and an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Rochester, New York, 
USA and Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Aide to the Chairman of the Board of Directors on External Economic Relations  
and a member of the Board of Directors of NLMK International B.V.

From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Sarkisov served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors 
of VIZ-Steel. From the early 1990s to 2008, he worked at steel trading companies, 
where he held various executive positions at a number of international metal trading 
entities.

He is a graduate of Tashkent State University, where he majored in oriental studies.

Until 24 April 2020, Mr. Sarkisov served as a member of the NLMK Board of Directors 
and Audit Committee. He continues to sit on the Strategic Planning Committee.

60

61

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STANISLAV SHEKSHNIA

Year of birth: 1964

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2015, independent director

Chairman of the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social Policy 
Committee and member of the  
Audit Committee

BENEDICT SCIORTINO

Year of birth: 1950

Member of the Board of Directors  
since 2012, independent director

Member of the Audit Committee and 
member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee

In 1991–2002, Dr. Shekshnia held senior executive positions at Russian and 
international corporations, including HR Director of Otis Elevator in Central and 
Eastern Europe, President and CEO at Millicom International Cellular in Russia 
and the CIS, COO at VimpelCom, and CEO of Alfa-Telecom. He has extensive 
financial experience. He served as Chairman of SUEK, Russian Fishery Company, 
and Vimpelcom-R and as a board member of a number of Russian and Ukrainian 
companies. Dr. Shekshnia was an independent director at DTEK BV, Ilim Timber 
Industry, Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), and Ener1. Currently, Dr. Shekshnia is 
Chairman of the Board of the Samolet Group. In 2002, he co-founded Zest 
Leadership International Consultancy.

From April 2007 until July 2019, Dr. Shekshnia was a Senior Partner of LEADERSHIP 
VECTOR, a talent equity consulting practice. He focused on leadership, leadership 
development, corporate governance, and business in emerging economies. He is now 
a Senior Consultant at Ward Howell. Dr. Shekshnia also provides personal coaching 
to business owners and corporate executives.

Dr. Shekshnia is an Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship at INSEAD. He has over 
15 years of graduate-level teaching experience in Russia, France, and the United 
States, and is the author, co-author, or editor of ten books, numerous articles, 
executive commentaries, interviews, and case studies on entrepreneurship, 
leadership, people management, intercultural management, and business and 
management in Russia.

Dr. Shekshnia has a master’s degree in economics, a Ph.D. from Moscow State 
University, and an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston.

From 1977 to 1995, Mr. Sciortino worked as an attorney-at-law and a partner with 
Baker & McKenzie, New York. He served as a member of the Board of Directors 
of Duferco S.A., where he was responsible for Duferco Group North American 
and South African business, overseeing trading operations, financial and legal 
matters, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Sciortino serves as a director of several 
companies.

Since March 2013, he has served as CEO and member of the Board of Directors 
of DXT Commodities SA (formerly Dufenergy Trading SA).

He graduated from Queens College, New York with a BA degree and received JD and 
LLM degrees from New England School of Law (Boston, MA) and New York University 
Law School, New York. Mr. Sciortino has extensive financial experience.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ ACTIVITY  
IN 2020

In 2020, NLMK’s Board of Directors held nine meetings, seven of which were held by 
absentee ballot. 28 items were considered at the meetings.

MAIN ISSUES EXAMINED BY THE GROUP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2020 

Questions

Resolutions

Strategy and 
priority areas

 ● Status of NLMK Group’s 2018-2022 Strategy and approval  

of the consolidated budget for 2021

Appointments and 
remuneration

 ● Reviewing proposals on the nomination of candidates to NLMK’s 
governing bodies (the Board of Directors, NLMK CEO (Chairman  
of the Management Board)) and inclusion of the nominees in 
the voting list of people to be elected to these governing bodies

 ● Providing recommendations to the Annual General Meeting  

of Shareholders regarding the payment of remuneration to Board 
members

 ● Election of the Chairman of NLMK’s Board of Directors
 ● Forming the committees of NLMK’s Board of Directors
 ● Recognition of the independent status of nominees to NLMK’s Board 

of Directors

 ● Performance evaluation of NLMK’s Board of Directors
 ● Performance reports of the committees of NLMK’s Board  

of Directors

Stakeholders

 ●

Investors and 
shareholders

 ● Consumers
 ● Suppliers
 ● Government authorities
 ● Employees
 ● Local communities

 ●

Investors and 
shareholders

 ● Government authorities
 ● Employees

Corporate 
governance

 ● Convocation of NLMK's General Meetings of Shareholders
 ● Approving the agendas, draft documents, and measures necessary 

 ●

Investors and 
shareholders

for preparing for and holding the Annual General Meeting of 
Shareholders

 ● Government authorities
 ● employees

 ● Providing recommendations to NLMK’s Annual General Meeting  
of Shareholders regarding profit distribution/dividend payment
 ● Providing recommendations to NLMK’s Annual General Meeting of 

Shareholders regarding NLMK’s membership in the Tsentrisiskaniya 
Self-Regulatory Organization (Central Association of Organizations 
for Engineering Construction Survey)

 ● Approving the 2019 NLMK report on interested-party transactions
 ● Approving the 2019 NLMK Draft Annual Report
 ● Providing recommendations to the Annual General Meeting 

of Shareholders regarding the approval of NLMK’s Auditor and 
remuneration to be paid for the Auditor’s services

 ● Approving the meeting schedule for NLMK’s Board of Directors
 ● Approving the following revised documents: Corporate Governance 
Code, Regulations on Insider Information, Internal Control and Risk 
Management Policy

Financial reporting

 ● Approving the Company’s annual accounting (financial) statements 
for 2019, as well as NLMK’s IFRS 2019 annual consolidated financial 
statements

 ●

Investors and 
shareholders

 ● Consumers
 ● Suppliers
 ● Government authorities
 ● Employees
 ● Local communities

62

63

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ITS MEETINGS  
AND THE MEETINGS OF ITS COMMITTEES

Board member 
in the reporting year

Independent 
director

Participation 
in the Board 
meetings1

Audit 
Committee

Human Resources, 
Remuneration, 
and Social Policy 
Committee

Strategic Planning 
Committee

Oleg Bagrin

Thomas Veraszto

Nikolai Gagarin

Vladimir Lisin

Karen Sarkisov2

Stanislav Shekshnia

Benedict Sciortino

Marjan Oudeman

Joachim Limberg3

Sergey Kravchenko4

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

9 (9)

9 (9)

9 (9)

9 (9)

3 (3)

9 (9)

9 (9)

9 (9)

9 (9)

6 (6)

5 (5)

2 (2)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

3 (3)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

2 (2)

2 (2)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

5 (5)

4 (4)

In addition, a seminar on sustainability 
was organized for Board members 
in March 2020. This event aimed at 
enhancing the Board’s ESG competence 
underscores the Company’s focus on 
sustainability.

and best international practices, the Company has been conducting an annual 
assessment (self-assessment) of the Board of Directors’ performance since 2016.  
The formal assessment procedure does not only cover the Board of Directors  
as a whole, but also assesses the work of the Board’s committees, Chairman and each 
individual member. The assessment includes an analysis of the Board’s composition 
and qualifications, its agendas, meeting efficiency, and interaction with management 
and the Corporate Secretary.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
PERFORMANCE 
ASSESSMENT

 GRI 102-28  The Board of Directors  
is one of the key bodies in the Company’s 
corporate governance system.  
The quality of the Company’s 
governance depends on the efficiency 
of its activities, and its decisions 
directly affect the Company’s market 
capitalization. The assessment of  
the Board of Directors’ performance  
is an effective tool for improving  
the corporate governance system,  
each component of which is related  
to the work of the governing body.

In line with the recommendations 
of the Corporate Governance Code 
recommended by the Bank of Russia  

The main purpose of the assessment is to determine the efficiency of the Board’s 
performance as a collective governing body and enhance its role in achieving 
the Company’s goal of successful development. The assessment of the Board’s 
performance helps to determine the focus and changes in the performance  
of the Board of Directors and its committees, get a comparative analysis of their 
contribution to the Company’s successful development, and identify areas  
for the continuous improvement of the Board’s procedures.

If necessary, based on the results of the Board’s performance assessment,  
the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Human Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee put forward proposals that aim to improve the work  
of the Board of Directors and its committees. Individual assessments of Board 
members identify aspects that need to be developed and strengthened. 
Recommendations as well as individual training programmes (training sessions)  
may be offered to improve the skills of individual Board members.

The Board’s strengths and areas for improvement were analysed as part of  
an annual assessment carried out in January 2020 in the form of an online survey 
of its members in the format approved by the HR Committee. The assessment 
confirmed the effectiveness of the Company’s Board of Directors and its committees 
in 2019. Board members commended the meeting agendas, approaches to holding 

1  The number in brackets denotes the number of meetings of the Board of Directors or the Board’s committee held during this director’s tenure.
2  Karen Sarkisov was a member of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee until 24 April 2020 (he continues  

to sit on the Strategic Planning Committee).

3  Joachim Limberg was a member of the Human Resources, Remuneration, and Social Policy Committee until 24 April 2020. He was elected to the Audit 

Committee at the 24 April 2020 Board meeting.

4  Sergey Kravchenko was elected to the Board of Directors at NLMK’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. He was elected to the Strategic Planning 

Committee and the Human Resources, Remuneration, and Social Policy Committee at the 24 April 2020 Board meeting.

A systematic performance 
assessment of the Board  
ensures:

 ● An opportunity to make timely 
adjustments to the plans and 
working methods of the Board of 
Directors and its members

 ● Greater shareholder confidence 
in the Board of Directors and 
the Company

 ● An increase in the Company’s 

investment appeal
 ● The possibility of using  

the results of the evaluation  
as grounds when electing  
a new Board at the Annual 
General Meeting of Shareholders

 ● Leveraging the strengths  

of the Board of Directors and 
developing areas that require 
attention

 ● Analysis of changes in 
the Board’s nature

 ● Board of Directors succession 

planning

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF THE NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Key goals 

Assessment tools 

 ● Achieving a common 

understanding of the Board’s 
strengths and weaknesses

 ● Progress assessment to develop 

an improvement plan

 ● Compliance with 

the recommendations and best 
practices of the Corporate 
Governance Code

 ● Clarification of the goals and 
priorities of the Board of 
Directors

 ● Balance of independence and 
qualification on the Board  
of Directors

 ● Optimization of each member’s 
contribution to the Board’s 
activities
Improvement of the Board’s 
work and communication  
with the management

 ●

 ● Recommendations for developing 

 ●

 ●

the expertise  
of the Board of Directors
Identification of areas for  
the training and development  
of Board members
Identification of the Board’s 
staffing requirements
 ● Development of the target 
profile for candidates  
to the Board of Directors
 ● Constructive justification  

 ●

of required changes
Introduction of advanced 
technologies and approaches  
to the organization of work

 ● Online survey of members  
of the Board of Directors,  
as approved by NLMK’s Human 
Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee
 ● Discussion at the Board meeting 

held in person

Scope of assessment 

 ● Board of Directors
 ● Committees of the Board  

of Directors
Individual Board members

 ●
 ● Corporate Secretary

Evaluated components 

 ●

 ● Professional and personal 
qualities of Board members
Independence, coherence,  
and degree of personal 
participation of Board members

 ● Process of the Board  

of Directors

 ● Board meeting agendas
Interaction of the Board 
 ●
of Directors with Company 
management

 ● Other factors affecting  

the performance of the Board  
of Directors

meetings and control over the execution 
of instructions, the contribution 
of the Board Chairman, and 
the Corporate Secretary’s performance. 
Recommendations were issued  
on developing certain competencies 
of the Board of Directors, introducing 
certain practices, prioritizing 
several issues that are of strategic 
importance to the Company, and using 
additional formats for engaging with 
the management.

The results of the Board’s performance assessment and recommendations on further 
improving the work of the Board, its committees, and individual Board members were 
reviewed at the in-person Board meeting in March 2020.

In 2020 the activities of the Board and the Corporate Secretary were focused on 
implementing the recommendations resulting from the assessment.

Guided by current trends and recommendations of normative bodies, the Company 
engaged an independent consulting firm, Spencer Stuart, to carry out an independent 
assessment of the Board’s performance. The external assessment of the Board’s 
activities included questionnaires, individual interviews with directors, analysis of 
the agendas, practices, and internal documents of the Board and its committees, and  
a benchmark against the advanced corporate governance practices of international 
companies.

64

65

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

INDUCTION PROGRAMME 
FOR NEWLY ELECTED 
MEMBERS OF NLMK'S 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
AND THE ONBOARDING 
PROCESS

An induction course for newly elected 
members of NLMK’s Board of Directors 
was developed and approved by 
the Human Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee, 
in compliance with best corporate 
governance practices to ensure  
the efficient functioning of the Board  
of Directors.

The programme of the induction  
course includes an introduction  
to NLMK Group’s key operational and 
financial indicators and its systems  
of risk management, internal control, 
and corporate governance.

Meetings with the CEO (Chairman  
of the Management Board), members  
of the Board of Directors, members 
of the Management Board, and other 
senior executives of the Company 
are arranged as part of the course. 
The newcomers also have an opportunity 
to get acquainted with the Company’s 
core facilities, processes, and products.

PREVENTING A CONFLICT 
OF INTEREST AMONG 
BOARD MEMBERS

Members of the Board of Directors 
must act in good faith and reasonably 
in the interests of the Company and 
its shareholders based on sufficient 
awareness and with due care and 
discretion. Given that the reasonable 
and good-faith actions of the Board 
members require the adoption of 

decisions based on all available information without any conflict of interest and 
taking into account the equal treatment of shareholders, the Company has 
developed anumber of measures to prevent conflicts of interests. As part of these 
requirements, members of the Board of Directors shall:
 ● Notify the Board in case there is a potential conflict of interest (including an interest 
in the Company making a transaction) and put the Company’s interests above their 
own under all circumstances

 ● Refrain from any acts that will or may lead to a conflict between their personal 

interests and those of the Company

 ● Promptly inform the Board of Directors of any conflict of interest and the grounds 
for it before the start of a discussion on the item with respect to which the Board 
member has a conflict of interest at a Board Meeting or a Board Committee 
meeting

 ● Abstain from voting on items in which they have a conflict of interest. Where 

the nature of the item discussed or the specific aspects of a conflict of interest 
so require, the Board member experiencing said conflict of interest should not be 
present at the Board meeting when the item is discussed.

According to the information available to the Company, there was no conflict  
of interest among the members of the Board of Directors in 2020 (including none 
related to their participation in the governing bodies of NLMK’s competitors)  
 GRI 102-25 .

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD  
OF DIRECTORS

  GRI 102-22  In order to improve  
the efficiency of the decisions taken  
by the Board of Directors, ensure  
the preliminary examination and 
study of the most essential matters in 
the Company’s activities, and prepare 
the appropriate recommendations, 
the Board of Directors has set up 
the following standing committees:
 ● Strategic Planning Committee
 ● Audit Committee
 ● Human Resources, Remuneration,  

and Social Policy Committee

The committees are structured  
around the most important Board 
activities. Their composition is 
determined with the most effective 
application of the members’ expertise 
and professional experience in mind.

The committees of the Board of Directors 
report to the Board of Directors 
and serve as its advisory bodies. 
The resolutions of the committees are 
advisory in nature.

Due to the need for a comprehensive 
discussion of the issues under 
consideration, the committees are 
composed of Board members with 
specialized knowledge and skills. 
Committee composition is balanced 
to ensure optimal application of 
the members’ competencies and 
professional experience.

If necessary, a committee chair may 
engage experts and consultants to work 
with their committee on a temporary or 
permanent basis with no right to vote 
during decision-making on issues within 
the committees’ remit.

The status, goals, objectives, and functions of the committees, as well as the procedures 
for their composition, formation, and operation are set out in Regulations on 
Committees, which are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and published 
on NLMK’s official website.

In order to balance approaches to problem solving with respect to risk management 
and the protection of shareholders’ interests, in two out of three committees 
the majority of members, including their chairpersons, are independent directors.

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Strategic Planning Committee provides support to the Board of Directors in 
resolving matters that involve enhancing the efficiency of the Company’s activities 
in the long-term and promoting asset growth, profitability, and investment appeal. 
The Committee defines the goals for minimizing the Company’s environmental impact, 
including greenhouse gas emissions, and reviews and approves the appropriate 
investment programme.

Committee members as of 31 December 2020

The Strategic Planning Committee includes five independent directors. All members  
of the Committee, including those who are not members of the Board of Directors, 
have the right to vote on the Committee’s agenda items.

The Committee’s composition changed in 2020. 

Committee’s activities in 2020

In 2020, the Strategic Planning Committee held five meetings. The Committee reviewed 
and passed resolutions on the following issues:
 ● Development of NLMK Group’s functional areas and key projects of its divisions
 ● Updated СО2 emission reduction targets for 2023
 ● Status of NLMK Group’s investment programme and 2021 investment budget
 ● Strategic Planning Committee schedule for 2020

Plans for 2021

In 2021, the Strategic Planning Committee plans to actively determine development 
areas for the new strategy cycle beyond 2023, which includes reviewing the first 
draft of NLMK Group’s long-term climate strategy. The Committee will also analyze 
the implementation of its instructions and the progress of NLMK Group’s investment 
programme.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN 2020

Committee members from 19 April 2019 to 24 April 2020

Committee members as of 24 April 2020

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Position

Member of the Board 
of Directors

Position

Oleg Bagrin

Chair of the Committee

Oleg Bagrin

Chair of the Committee

Thomas Veraszto

Member of the Committee

Thomas Veraszto

Member of the Committee

Helmut Wieser

Member of the Committee

Helmut Wieser

Member of the Committee

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Committee

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Committee

Vladimir Lisin

Member of the Committee

Vladimir Lisin

Member of the Committee

Marjan Oudeman

Member of the Committee

Marjan Oudeman

Member of the Committee

Karen Sarkisov

Member of the Committee

Karen Sarkisov

Member of the Committee

Grigory Fedorishin

Member of the Committee

Grigory Fedorishin

Member of the Committee

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Committee

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Committee

Sergey Filatov 

Member of the Committee

Sergey Filatov 

Member of the Committee

Sergey Kravchenko

Member of the Committee

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee drafts and 
submits recommendations to the Board 
of Directors on matters concerning 
the Board’s active involvement 
in the supervision of the Company’s 
financial and business activities. These 
include recommendations on annual 
independent audits of NLMK’s accounting 
(financial) statements, the quality 
of services provided by the auditor, 
compliance with the requirements 
forauditor independence, the process 
of the independent appraisal of property  
in cases stipulated by Russian legislation 
and other cases, as well as issues related 

to disclosure of the Company’s information about sustainable development  GRI 102-32 . 
Since 2019, one of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities is monitoring performance 
and considering reports related to sustainable development, including matters of 
environment and occupational health and safety  GRI 102-29 .

The Committee analyzes and evaluates the Company’s information disclosure  
system on sustainable development issues and monitors its completeness, accuracy, 
and reliability.

Committee members as of 31 December 2020

The Audit Committee is chaired by an independent director. Most of the Committee 
members are also independent directors. In addition, the Audit Committee includes 
independent directors with a background in the preparation, analysis, evaluation,  
and audit of accounting (financial) statements.

The Committee’s composition changed in 2020.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN 2020

Committee members from 19 April 2019 to 24 April 2020

Committee members as of 24 April 2020

Member of the Committee

Position

Member of the Committee

Position

Marjan Oudeman

Chair of the Committee

Marjan Oudeman

Chair of the Committee

Karen Sarkisov

Nikolai Gagarin

Member of the Committee

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Committee

Member of the Committee

Nikolai Gagarin

Member of the Committee

Stanislav Shekshnia

Member of the Committee

Stanislav Shekshnia

Member of the Committee

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Committee

Benedict Sciortino

Member of the Committee

Audit Committee’s activities  
in 2020

In 2020, the Audit Committee held five 
meetings. The Committee reviewed  
and passed resolutions on the following 
key issues:
 ● Accounting (financial) statements  
with respect to the consideration  
of the relevant draft documents
 ● Risk management, internal control, 
and corporate governance, as well 
as other reports related to asset 
protection and management of 
the Company’s significant risks 
 ● Mitigating the risks associated with 

COVID-19

 ● External and internal audits, including 

non-audit services provided by 
the independent auditor

 ● Non-financial results of NLMK Group’s 
activities prepared in accordance with 
GRI standards and quality assessment 
of the preparation of the disclosed  
GRI indicators

RISK MANAGEMENT 
AND INTERNAL CONTROL 

The Audit Committee exercises control 
over the reliability and efficient 
functioning of the risk management, 
internal control, and corporate 
governance systems, and the drafting 
of proposals on their improvement. 
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, 
the Committee reviews reports on 
the performance of the internal control 
and risk management system prepared 
by the external auditor, Internal 
Audit Service, and the Group’s other 
bodies responsible for fulfilling the risk 
management, oversight, and compliance 
functions. The Committee holds regular 
meetings with the Audit Director and  
the external auditor’s team.

Internal Audit

The Audit Committee is responsible for 
monitoring the operation and evaluating 
the efficiency of the internal audit 
function. This is done via discussions 
with the Audit Director and approval of 
the annual internal audit plan. Progress 

“In an era of fast-paced adoption of new technologies, business models, and 
growing uncertainty in the world, the Company’s risks are growing more 
than ever. Today large companies realize that the strategy of sustainable 
development has become an absolute must, and their business objectives 
go beyond just making profit: they also include obtaining long-term benefits 
associated with the enablement in the field of environmental and socio-economic 
sustainable development. 

In order to meet the growing expectations of the business, internal audit needs 
to maintain a high level of innovation adoption in its processes, expand its role 
from following a reactive approach to focusing on the future of the company, 
from protecting assets to supporting value creation by developing methods of 
continuous audit and transferring innovations to the business.

As it fulfils its task of ‘driving the development of a mature risk management 
system’, internal audit needs to strive to become a reliable advisor and business 
partner. 

The focus of the Audit Committee is expanding to consider the efficiency of 
the Company's top risk management, corporate governance practices, business 
processes of international companies, business continuity management issues 
and improving the company's overall resilience to external threats.”

Marjan Oudeman,  
Chair of the Audit Committee

reports, key findings, and recommendations are submitted to the Committee 
throughout the year to ensure that the actions taken by the executive management 
are efficient.

In an effort to ensure independence, the Audit Director reports directly to the Board 
of Directors. The Audit Director has the right to raise any matter that he/she 
deems to be important, reports to the Audit Committee, including on audit results 
above a certain materiality threshold, and/or in line with other obligatory disclosure 
requirements, and meets with the external auditors as required.

The Internal Audit Service undergoes regular independent external quality 
assessments (at least once every five years). The results of these assessments are 
submitted to the Audit Committee for consideration. The most recent assessment 
was in 2017.

External audit

AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit (PwC) has been the Group’s Auditor since 2003.

NLMK Group companies hire PwC from time to time to provide non-audit services. 
NLMK management is certain that these services do not impair the auditor’s 
independence and are not related to the preparation of financial statements. In 2020, 
the share of non-audit services was at an acceptable level of no more than 30%  
of the total services provided by PwC. PwC regularly rotates key audit staff (at least 
once every 7 years) to ensure compliance with independence requirements.

PwC submits quarterly reports to the Audit Committee, and members of the Committee 
review and discuss key audit issues with external auditors. As a result of this review,  
the Committee concluded that the external audit process is proceeding effectively.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

HUMAN RESOURCES, 
REMUNERATION, 
AND SOCIAL POLICY 
COMMITTEE

The main purpose of the Human 
Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee  
is conducting preliminary reviews  
and developing recommendations  
for the Board of Directors  
to ensure the efficient  
operation of its decision-making  
on the following issues:

 ● Appointment of members of the Company’s management and other key employees 

and the training of succession candidates for their positions

 ● Performance assessment of the Company’s management and other key employees
 ● Remuneration of the Company’s management and other key employees
 ● Social policy of the Company

Members of the HR Committee as of 31 December 2020

The Committee is chaired by an independent director. Most of the Committee 
members are also independent directors. The Human Resources, Remuneration,  
and Social Policy Committee includes an independent director who is knowledgeable  
in matters concerning motivational management and personnel administration.

The Committee's composition changed in 2020.

HUMAN RESOURCES, REMUNERATION, AND SOCIAL POLICY  
COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN 2020

Committee members from 19 April 2019 to 24 April 2020

Committee members as of 24 April 2020

Member of the Committee

Position

Member of the Committee

Position

Stanislav Shekshnia

Chair of the Committee

Stanislav Shekshnia

Chair of the Committee

Vladimir Lisin

Member of the Committee

Vladimir Lisin

Member of the Committee

Thomas Veraszto

Member of the Committee

Thomas Veraszto

Member of the Committee

Oleg Bagrin

Member of the Committee

Oleg Bagrin

Member of the Committee

Joachim Limberg

Member of the Committee

Sergey Kravchenko

Member of the Committee

Committee’s activities in 2020

 ● Review of proposals to the NLMK Board of Directors on the amount of remuneration 

NLMK’s Human Resources, Remuneration, 
and Social Policy Committee held 
four meetings in 2020, including 
two in the form of absentee voting. 
The Committee reviewed and passed 
resolutions on the following issues:
 ● Eligibility of nominees proposed  

for independent directors to be voted  
on at the Annual General Meeting  
of Shareholders on the Company’s 
2019 results

 ● Professional background of nominees 
to the Board Directors proposed  
at the Annual General Meeting  
of Shareholders on the Company’s 
2019 results

to be paid to Board members

 ● Progress against target KPIs by the NLMK Group CEO (Chairman of the Management 

Board) in 2019 and approval of target project KPIs for 2020
 ● Progress against target KPIs by Company management in 2019
 ● Implementation status of Committee instructions
 ● Managerial competency model
 ● Labour productivity improvement
 ● Development of professional competencies

In 2020, the Committee continued to analyze and evaluate the implementation  
of the Company’s HR Strategy, the performance of key executives, and the execution 
of the Committee’s instructions. The Committee considered the implementation status 
of the labour productivity improvement programme and professional competency 
development programmes.

“In 2020, the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social  
Policy Committee reviewed  
a number of key matters within  
its remit and developed relevant 
recommendations for the Board  
of Directors.

The Committee reviewed the execution 
status of NLMK Group’s HR Strategy, 
oversaw the implementation of earlier 
instructions, and systematically 
tackled related issues. 

One important outcome is engaging 
the Spencer Stuart consulting firm 
to participate in the independent 
assessment of the Board. The firm  

has an impeccable reputation and international expertise in corporate governance. 
Spencer Stuart’s experience will lend a fresh perspective on the Board’s 
development prospects and ways to enhance its practices, further strengthening 
its performance.

It should be noted that during the pandemic the Committee addressed new 
challenges encountered by the Company. At the same time, the Committee 
continued to operate with maximum effectiveness, as its members, who have 
extensive competencies and international experience, used modern means of 
communication and remained highly engaged in the consideration and discussion 
of the agenda items. All this ensured in-depth exploration of the relevant issues 
discussed and fruitful collaboration with management, facilitating the adoption  
of quality resolutions and instructions, effective follow-up of their implementation, 
and introduction of best practices into the Company’s activities.”

Stanislav Shekshnia,  
Chair of the Human Resources,  
Remuneration, and Social Policy Committee

CORPORATE SECRETARY

NLMK’s Corporate Secretary ensures 
efficient day-to-day interaction 
with shareholders, coordinates 
the Company’s activities to protect 
shareholders’ rights and interests, and 
supports the efficient operation  
of the Board of Directors.

The Corporate Secretary’s activities, 
rights, and obligations are regulated 
by the Regulations on the Corporate 
Secretary, developed in accordance 
with the Corporate Governance Code 
recommendations of the Bank of Russia. 
In line with these recommendations,  
the Corporate Secretary is also in 
charge of the induction course for newly 
elected members of the Company’s 
Board of Directors, corporate 
governance in subsidiaries and 
affiliates, working with insiders, and 
accounting for affiliates of the Group’s 
companies. All these functions enable 
the establishment of a dynamic and 
balanced corporate governance system 
that ensures efficient interaction 
between the Company’s shareholders, 
Board of Directors, and management.

Functionally subordinate to the Board  
of Directors and administratively 
to NLMK’s CEO (Chairman of 

the Management Board), the Corporate Secretary is appointed and dismissed by 
the CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) based on a resolution of the Board of 
Directors.

The Corporate Secretary oversees the Corporate Secretary’s Office.

Valery Loskutov has been the Company’s Corporate Secretary since 2005.

VALERY LOSKUTOV

Year of birth: 1969

Mr. Loskutov graduated from the Lipetsk Polytechnic Institute and the Academy  
of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation with an MBA.

For more than twenty years, he has been a member of the governing bodies of 
a number of Russian companies. Mr. Loskutov has been with NLMK since 1998 and 
has served as NLMK’s Corporate Secretary since 2005. He has been Secretary of 
the Human Resources, Remuneration, and Social Policy Committee since 2017.

Mr. Loskutov is a co-founder of the National Association of Corporate Secretaries. 
He was elected to the Board of the National Association of Corporate Secretaries 
on 20 December 2019.

He won the 8th Director of the Year national award in the Corporate Governance 
Director/Corporate Secretary category.

Mr. Loskutov ranked first in the Best Corporate Governance Director in Metals  
and Mining category of the 21st Top 1,000 Russian Managers annual rating by 
the Russian Managers Association and Kommersant Publishing House.

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

COMPOSITION 
OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

MANAGEMENT BOARD PROCEDURES

The Management Board is in charge of managing the Company’s day-to-day  
operations and implementing the approved strategy and specific resolutions of 
the General Meeting of Shareholders and the Board of Directors. The main objective  
of the Management Board is to ensure that the Company is operating efficiently.  

In its efforts to reach this objective,  
the Management Board is guided  
by the following principles:
 ● Efficient and objective decision-

making that favours the interests of 
the Company and its shareholders

 ● Fair, timely, and efficient execution of the decisions of the General Meeting  

of Shareholders and the Board of Directors

 ● Cooperation with trade unions comprised of the Company’s employees in order  

to take into account the employees’ interests

 ● Cooperation with government agencies and local authorities on the most  

important issues

The list of issues in the Management 
Board’s remit is regulated by  
the NLMK Charter and Regulations 
on the Management Board, which are 
available on the Company’s official 
website.

GRIGORY FEDORISHIN

TATYANA AVERCHENKOVA

MIKHAIL ARKHIPOV

SERGEY LIKHAREV

EVGENY OVCHAROV

SERGEY CHEBOTAREV

CEO (Chairman  
of the Management Board) 

Member of the Management Board 

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Strategic Planning 
Committee

Vice President,  
Operational Efficiency

Vice President,  
HR and Management System

Vice President,  
Logistics

Vice President,  
Risk Management

Vice President,  
Energy and Environment

ILYA GUSCHIN

BEN DE VOS

SHAMIL KURMASHOV

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Management Board  

Member of the Management Board  

Vice President,  
Sales

Vice President,  
International Operations

Vice President,  
Finance

COMPOSITION 
OF THE MANAGEMENT 
BOARD 

NLMK Group’s Management Board 
consisted of nine members as of 
31 December 2020. The current 
composition of the Management  
Board was approved by the Board  
of Directors at a meeting held  
on 24 October 2019.

CEO (CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD)

The CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) is the permanent sole executive body, 
whose main responsibility is to manage the Company’s day-to-day activities, arrange 
for the execution of resolutions passed by the General Meeting of Shareholders and 
the Board of Directors, organize the work of the Management Board, and ensure 
the timely adoption of resolutions by the Management Board.

The rights and obligations of the CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) stipulated 
by the existing legislation of the Russian Federation as well as the CEO’s contract  
with the Company.

The CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) is elected by the General Meeting  
of Shareholders for a period lasting until the next Annual Meeting unless otherwise 
stipulated by a resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

According to the prevailing corporate documents, the CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) cannot simultaneously be the Chairman of the NLMK Board of Directors.

Grigory Fedorishin has been the CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) since 
12 March 2018.

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Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

BIOGRAPHIES OF MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

GRIGORY FEDORISHIN

Year of birth: 1979 

Mr. Fedorishin graduated from the State Finance Academy in Moscow. He holds 
a master’s degree in business administration from INSEAD business school in France 
and Singapore. He is member of the Certified Financial Analysts (CFA) association.

Member of the Strategic  
Planning Committee.  
CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) since March 2018

TATYANA 
AVERCHENKOVA

Year of birth: 1979

Vice President, Operational Efficiency. 
Member of the Management Board 
since 2017

ILYA GUSCHIN

Year of birth: 1976

Vice President, Sales.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2014

Mr. Fedorishin was Senior Vice President and Deputy Chairman of the Management 
Board from March 2017 until March 2018, and Vice President for Finance (CFO) from 
2013 until 2017. In 2016, he also headed NLMK Group’s Russia Long Products Division.

From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Fedorishin served as NLMK’s Strategy and Business 
Development Director. From 2009 to 2011, he served as an investment manager 
at Libra Capital, a Moscow-based investment management company. From 2001 
to 2009, he worked for the PricewaterhouseCoopers consulting company, where  
he held positions up to director for business restructuring practice.

Ms. Averchenkova graduated from Lipetsk State Technical University with a major 
in economics and management.

Ms. Averchenkova has been with NLMK since 2001. She served as Director for 
Controlling and held various senior management positions in the Strategy 
Department. In 2016, she was appointed Vice President for Operational Efficiency.

Mr. Guschin graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State 
University. He holds a Ph.D. in economics.

Mr. Guschin joined NLMK in 2013. From 2009 to 2013, he worked for SIBUR Group, 
including as head of SIBUR International, the group’s export division.

From 2008 to 2009, he served as Financial Director at Skolkovo School of 
Management in Moscow. From 2002 to 2007, he held various positions at Microsoft.

BEN DE VOS

Year of birth: 1967

Mr. de Vos holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in electrical engineering 
(supplementary training programme) and a master’s degree with a major in process 
engineering from the University of Pretoria.

Vice President, International Operations.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2016

From 2011 onwards, he has served as Director of NLMK Belgium Holdings as well 
as a number of its subsidiaries. He is CEO and Chairman of the Management 
Board of NLMK International B.V., leading the turnaround and operating efficiency 
programmes.

Mr. de Vos joined Duferco La Louvière in Belgium in 2004 and served as a Management 
Board member of the NLMK/Duferco JV from 2007 to 2011.

After starting his career as a production and development engineer in 1990, he held 
various management positions at Iscor and Saldanha Steel (now ArcelorMittal South 
Africa) between 1995 and 2003, ending with export sales.

SERGEY LIKHAREV

Year of birth: 1964

Mr. Likharev holds a Ph.D. in physics and mathematics and a master’s  
of business administration from Cornell University, USA. From 1990 to 1993,  
he worked as a researcher at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Vice President, Logistics.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2014

Mr. Likharev joined NLMK in October 2013. From 2012 to 2013, he served as Aviation 
Business Director at Russian Machines Group and Chairman of the Board  
of Directors of the Aviacor Aviation Plant.

After serving as CEO of Aviacor Aviation Plant in Samara from 2004 to 2007,  
he worked as CEO of the Basel Aero airport group from 2008 to 2012.

From 1993 to 2004, he held senior positions at Interros, Ostankino Meat Processing 
Plant, Golden Telecom, Cannon Associates, and Coopers & Lybrand.

Mr. Ovcharov is a graduate of Lipetsk State Technical University and holds a Ph.D.  
in economic sciences.

Mr. Ovcharov joined NLMK in 1998. He served as Director for Internal Control and 
Risk Management and Head of Corporate Finance, and held senior management 
positions at the Department of Economics and Finance. In 2016, he was appointed 
Vice President for Risk Management.

Mr. Arkhipov graduated with honours from the Faculty of Sociology at Lomonosov 
Moscow State University.

Mr. Arkhipov joined NLMK in January 2018 as Vice President for HR and Management 
System. From 2013 to 2018, he was a member of the Management Board and Vice 
President for HR at MTS Group. From 2009 to 2013, he held various positions in 
the HR Department at SIBUR up to HR Director. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Arkhipov 
worked in senior management positions in HR at SUN InBev and KPMG.

Mr. Chebotarev graduated from Lipetsk State Technical University with a major  
in applied mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. in engineering sciences.

EVGENY OVCHAROV

Year of birth: 1977

Vice President, Risk Management. 
Member of the Management Board 
since 2018

MIKHAIL ARKHIPOV

Year of birth: 1982

Vice President, HR and  
Management System.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2018

SERGEY CHEBOTAREV

Year of birth: 1980

Vice President, Energy and Environment.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2018

Mr. Chebotarev joined NLMK in 2000 as an economist in the Fuel and Energy Industry 
Department. He served as Head of Energy Policy Management and Director for 
Energy Efficiency and Energy Markets, before being promoted to Vice President for 
Energy in 2016 and Vice President for Energy and Environment in 2020.

SHAMIL KURMASHOV

Year of birth: 1978

Mr. Kurmashov graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations 
(MGIMO University), and holds a Ph.D. in economics from the Central Economics and 
Mathematics Institute (CEMI RAS).

Vice President, Finance.  
Member of the Management Board 
since 2019

He is a member of the Board of Directors at NLMK International B.V.

From 2009 to 2018, he was Deputy CEO for Commerce and Finance at Aeroflot. From 
2007 to 2009, he served as Deputy CEO for Finance and Investment at Sistema, 
where he was also in charge of the group’s investment activities. He has held 
executive positions at Norilsk Nickel and Wimm-Bill-Dann.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

REPORT ON REMUNERATION PAID  
TO GOVERNING BODIES

The level of remuneration the Company 
pays to members of governing bodies 
is sufficient to attract, motivate, and 
retain persons with the expertise and 
qualifications NLMK seeks.

REMUNERATION 
AND COMPENSATION 
PAID TO MEMBERS 
OF THE BOARD 
OF DIRECTORS

 GRI 102-35  The Company's policy of 
remuneration to members of the Board 
of Directors serves to align the financial 
interests of directors with the long-term 
financial interests of shareholders.

Members of the Board of Directors  
are paid remuneration during the period 
in which they perform their duties, and 
they also receive reimbursement of 
expenses related to the performance 
of their duties as members of the NLMK 
Board of Directors. The Regulations  
on Remuneration for Members of 
the Board of Directors, which was 
approved by the General Meeting  
of Shareholders, establish the amount of 
remuneration and determine the terms 
and conditions as well as the procedure 
for remuneration payment  GRI 102-37 . 
The Regulations are available  
on the Company’s official website.

The Regulations contain transparent 
mechanisms for determining the amount 

of remuneration paid to the Board members and govern all types of compensation 
and benefits offered to them.

The remuneration system for members of the Board of Directors serves to align 
their financial interests with the long-term financial interests of shareholders. 
Remuneration is paid to members of the Board of Directors for reasonably and 
faithfully exercising their rights and duties in the interests of the Company. 
Remuneration to members of the Board of Directors consists of basic remuneration 
and a bonus.

The amount of the basic remuneration was approved on 5 June 2015 by a resolution 
of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in the amount of $160,000  
 GRI 102-36 . 

Members of the Board of Directors are entitled to basic remuneration if they 
participated in over half of the Board of Directors meetings over the reporting period.

Members of the Board of Directors are also paid remuneration for performing 
the functions of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a member of one or more 
committees of the Board of Directors, or for chairmanship in one or more committees 
of the Board of Directors.

A member of the Board of Directors may receive a bonus that shall not exceed 
the amount of two basic remuneration packages. The amount of bonuses is 
determined based on the member’s contribution to the work of the Board of 
Directors and its committees and the recommendations of the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social Policy Committee.

Remuneration is paid based on a resolution of NLMK’s General Meeting of Shareholders. 
Regulations on the Remuneration of Members of the NLMK Board of Directors outline 
the rules for reimbursing Board members’ work-related expenses. The following 
expenses are considered to be reimbursable:
 ● Transportation expenses of Board members incurred while travelling to and from 

meetings 

 ● Accommodation costs incurred while attending meetings
 ● Hospitality expenses 
 ● Costs associated with obtaining the professional advice of experts on issues under 

consideration at Board meetings

ACTIVITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD IN 2020

Member of the Management Board

By member 
of the Management  
Board

Grigory Fedorishin

Tatyana Averchenkova

Ilya Guschin

Ben de Vos

Sergey Likharev

Evgeny Ovcharov

Mikhail Arkhipov

Sergey Chebotarev

Shamil Kurmashov 

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

41 (41)

NLMK Management Board members had no conflict of interest in 2020. 

REMUNERATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE NLMK BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

On 19 March 2020, Grigory Fedorishin, who was previously not an NLMK shareholder, 
acquired 35,678 of the Company’s global depositary shares (equivalent to 356,780 
ordinary shares) making up 0.00595% of NLMK’s charter capital. 

On 15 December 2020, Grigory Fedorishin sold 17,839 of the Company’s globaldepositary  
shares (equivalent to 178,390 ordinary shares) making up 0.00298% of NLMK’s charter 
capital. After that 17,839 of the Company’s global depositary shares (equivalent to 
178,390 ordinary shares) making up 0.00298% of NLMK’s charter capital remained in 
his ownership. 

Other Management Board members are not NLMK shareholders.

Remuneration category

Basic remuneration

Additional remuneration to the Chairman of the Board  
of Directors, taking into account their functions related  
to organizing the work of the Board of Directors

Remuneration amount

$160,000

Up to 50% of the basic remuneration package

Additional remuneration to a member of any committee  
of the Board of Directors (who participated in over half  
of its meetings)

Up to 25% of the basic remuneration package, and up to 50%  
of the basic remuneration package for a member of two  
or more committees

Additional remuneration to the Chairman of any committee  
of the Board of Directors (who participated in over half  
of its meetings) 

Up to 40% of the basic remuneration package, and up to 80% 
of the basic remuneration package for the Chairman of two  
or more committees

ACTIVITIES 
OF THE MANAGEMENT 
BOARD IN 2020 

The Management Board functions in 
accordance with the approved meeting 
plan or as necessary. The CEO (Chairman 
of the Management Board) determines 
the format of the Management Board’s 
meetings.

In 2020, the Management Board held  
41 meetings, including 13 by absentee 
ballot. The following issues were 
considered at these meetings:
 ● Achievement of the Group’s  
key performance indicators  
in occupational health and safety
 ● Execution of NLMK Group’s budget
 ● The Group’s participation in and 

withdrawal from other companies
 ● Execution of NLMK Group’s Strategy: 
updates on the development and 
implementation of the investment 
programme projects; updates  
on the execution of the HR and Social 
Strategies, Occupational and Industrial 
Safety programmes; operational 
efficiency improvements; sales 
portfolio management; development 
of maintenance and repair services

 ● Development programmes for 

functional areas and production 
facilities

 ● Non-core assets portfolio 

management

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

The maximum amount of a Board 
member’s expenses reimbursed by 
NLMK during the reporting period 
is determined by a resolution of 
the General Meeting of Shareholders 
and shall not exceed 30% of the basic 
remuneration package. Compensation 
shall only be paid if the member  
of the Board of Directors participated  
in more than half of the meetings held  
by the Board of Directors.

The Company does not have other forms of remuneration, including short-term  
or long-term incentive programmes that depend on financial performance, or stock 
option programmes.

The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on the results of 2019, which was held  
on 24 April 2020, resolved to pay remuneration to members of NLMK Board of Directors 
in the amount of $2.272 m.

REMUNERATION TO BOARD MEMBERS1, ‘000 RUB

Indicator

Total payments

Remuneration, incl.:

Basic remuneration

Bonuses

Salary

Commission

Reimbursed expenses

Other types of remuneration

2018

152,482

145,564

92,259

53,305

–

–

6,918

–

INDIVIDUAL AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION TO BOARD MEMBERS1, ‘000 RUB

Member of the Board of Directors

Vladimir Lisin

Stanislav Shekshnia

Oleg Bagrin

Nikolai Gagarin

Karen Sarkisov

Thomas Veraszto

Helmut Wieser

Marjan Oudeman

Benedict Sciortino

Franz Struzl

Joachim Limberg

Sergey Kravchenko

2018

20,705

17,427

19,293

12,982

15,633

16,309

16,423

15,881

17,446

383

–

–

2019

179,066

170,693

108,186

62,507

–

–

8,373

–

2019

24,041

21,655

21,948

15,026

18,031

19,248

400

20,848

18,935

–

18,934

–

2020

169,522

167,846

106,381

61,465

–

–

1,676

–

2020

23,640

19,503

19,503

14,775

17,730

17,730

-

19,503

17,730

-

17,730

-

APPROACH 
TO REMUNERATION 
AND COMPENSATION 
FOR MANAGEMENT  
BOARD MEMBERS 
AND OTHER  
TOP EXECUTIVES 

 GRI 102-35, GRI 102-36  The material interest 
of members of the Management 
Board in achieving the Company’s 
strategic goals is ensured by short-
term and long-term incentive systems. 
Short-term incentives are based on 
the existing system of key performance 
indicators (KPIs). The amount paid 
to members of the Management 
Board in bonuses depends on their 
achievement of KPIs. The variable part 
of remuneration for Management Board 
members amounts to approximately  
half of the total yearly remuneration.

The KPIs used to determine rewards for senior management are related to NLMK’s 
financial and operating performance and are intrinsically linked to shareholder value. 
They include operational performance, social responsibility, occupational safety, and 
organizational development indicators. KPIs for the CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) include annual financial indicators, as well as long-term indicators of strategy 
implementation, such as the Company’s sustainable development targets.

Top executives, including heads of NLMK Group’s main production sites, have 
KPIs related to reducing air emissions and СО2 emissions, as well as increasing 
their share of recycled waste. In addition, energy efficiency KPIs are set for 
the relevant executives, including heads of sites and the Vice President for Energy 
and Environment. For top executives, KPI data is recorded as financial gains from 
implementing the corresponding operational efficiency projects.

The Company also has a long-term incentive (LTI) programme for members of 
the executive bodies and other senior executives of the Company. The current 
programme adopted in March 2019 covers the 2019–2023 strategic management cycle.

Long-term incentive programme payments are made to Management Board members 
depending on the Company’s economic performance on the five-year horizon and 
the attainment of NLMK’s strategic goals. If KPIs are achieved, all Management Board 
members, including the CEO, receive the first advance payment three years after 
the programme commences. The final payment net of the advance sum is made 
depending on performance after 5 years.

REMUNERATION TO MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBERS1, ‘000 RUB

Indicator

Total payments, incl.:

Salary

Bonuses2

Commission

Benefits

Reimbursed expenses

Other types of remuneration

2018

524,553

205,195

312,510

–

–

1,481

5367

2019

535,032

238,764

295,455

–

–

813

–

2020

530,830

235,295

295,455

-

-

69

12

1  Data for 2018-2019 is represented in actual amounts. Remuneration to members of the Board of Directors for 2020 is determined based on preliminary 

calculations in accordance with the Regulations on Remuneration for Members of NLMK’s Board of Directors.

1  Data for 2018 is represented in the actual amounts and may differ from previously published estimated liabilities by the amount of liabilities for achieving 

the Company’s strategic objectives under the long-term incentive programme.

2  The bonus amount for 2018 does not include a part of the amount paid in 2019 for the long-term incentive programme. Bonuses to members  
of the Management Board for 2019–2020 include obligations to pay bonuses based on a preliminary calculation reflecting their performance  
in the reporting year.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OPERATIONAL CONTROL  
AND RISK MANAGEMENT

NLMK pays special attention to 
the development of its risk management 
system in a bid to protect its assets  
and ensure timely response to external  

and internal factors that may hinder the achievement of strategic and business goals.  
The goal of the Company’s risk management and internal control system is to ensure 
that the Company successfully adapts to technological, economic, social, and any 
other changes.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND  
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

NLMK Group’s approach to operational 
control is based on a clear segregation 
of authority and functions between  
the entities involved in its internal 
control and risk management system;  
it also provides for ‘three lines of 
defence’. Control procedures are used 
in the Group’s Russian and international 
operations and are an integral 
component of key corporate decision-
making activities and processes.  
The main principles and approaches  
to the organization of risk management 
are enshrined in the Internal Control  
and Risk Management Policy developed  
in accordance with the recommendations 
of the Central Bank of the Russian 
Federation, professional standards,  
and best corporate practices, and 
approved by the Board of Directors. 

RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 

The Management Board’s Risk Management Committee is a standing collegial body 
that ensures effective functioning of the internal control and risk management 
system, as well as the promotion of business ethics and anti-corruption principles. 
At least once a year the Committee reviews reports on changes in NLMK Group's risk 
profile, approves key risk management principles and approaches, and exercises 
overall control over the implementation of risk management measures and 
the strengthening of the internal control system  GRI 102-11 .

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee exercises general oversight over the risk management 
effectiveness and reviews the risk report, which includes an overview of the risk 
profile, a summary of significant changes in the profile, and the risk management 
efficiency analysis  GRI 102-30 .

RISK MAP

The Company has developed a Risk Map to systematize its approach to identifying, 
analyzing, and monitoring risks. The Risk Map is regularly updated to reflect 
the strategy, changing operations, and external context. In 2020, the Risk Map was 
significantly expanded, pressured by external circumstances (due to the COVID-19 
pandemic some risks (health, retirement of key competencies, supply continuity, IT) 
have increased), and in connection with the Group’s heightened focus on internal 
measures to ensure business continuity, operational efficiency, security and comfort 
of employees, and protect its business reputation.

INTERNAL CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (AUDIT COMMITTEE)

MANAGEMENT BOARD (RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE)

Operations  
management

Internal control and  
risk management

OHS

Environmental  
management

Compliance

Legal support

Corporate  
security

Information  
security

ВНУТРЕННИЙ

Internal Audit

t
i
d
u
a

l

a
n
r
e
t
x
E

First line of defence

Second line of defence

The management in various 
functions identifies risks and 
implements controls 

Management within 
centralized functions that 
define risk management 
standards for  
the entire Group

Third line of defence

Provides independent 
verification of the control 
environment's efficiency

EXAMPLE OF THE THREE-LINE DEFENCE MODEL:  
MANAGING THE RISK OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE

First line:  
the operations staff of the first 
line is responsible for identifying 
deviations in the process 
parameters of the equipment, 
monitors the degree of wear  
of individual components, forms 
requests and sets the timing  
of scheduled repairs. 

Second line:  
determines the criticality  
of equipment condition from 
the main production chain 
perspective, develops appropriate 
strategies for its maintenance, 
and controls the accuracy 
and completeness of the work 
performed.

Third line:  
the internal audit evaluates 
the efficiency of tools for 
identifying deviations in 
the processes of production, 
planning, and carrying out 
repairs.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

RISK FACTORS

OCCUPATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY RISKS

IT AND INFORMATION SECURITY RISKS

Risks of industrial and fire safety, risks of emergency situations, occupational risks.

Why is this risk important?

NLMK Group is a manufacturing company. Our activities involve operating hazardous production facilities and using a large 
amount of mechanical equipment, which creates risks related to the health of employees and contractors, as well as the risks  
of accidents, fires, equipment breakdown, the decay of buildings and structure, floods, and other natural disasters.

Threats

Management

 ● Regular audits of the state of production facilities (observations, inspections, surveys) 
 ● Ensuring safe working conditions and preserving the life and health of employees 
 ● Ensuring the reliability of hazardous production facilities 
 ● Carrying out industrial and fire safety trainings for employees, including the non-operations 

 ●

 ●

employees 
Investigating the causes of accidents/ incidents, analyzing the possibility of their recurrence  
at similar facilities 
Identifying relevant natural risk factors, accounting for seasonal factors for each  
production company 

 ● Developing an action plan for the prevention and elimination of natural and man-made 

 ●

emergencies, ensuring annual plan updates, organizing employee training 
Implementing Cardinal Safety Rules (10 fundamental principles of safe production developed  
by the Company) for employees and contractors 

 ● Developing corporate injury prevention programmes, including: LOTO (the procedure for 

the safe use of energy sources during equipment maintenance, repair, or cleaning), safety  
at height, eye protection, protection against cuts, protection against falling/slipping 
 ● Verifying the qualification certificates of employees of contracting organizations, setting 

knowledge test following the introductory briefing 
Implementing pre-work hazard analysis and dynamic risk assessment 

 ●
 ● Developing a response system for emergency medical care, medical evacuation, first aid,  

and resuscitation, including appropriate training of employees

HEALTH SAFETY RISKS

Why is this risk important?

Due to the specifics of the Company processes, the operations at the Group's sites is associated with the impact of harmful 
factors. The production operations can lead to the release of substances that pollute the air, water, and soil. 

Taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic, there are additional risks for the health of employees, both related to the disease 
itself and to its consequences for the body.

Disruption of business continuity due to unavailability of IT systems, data transmission network following technical  
and software failures, non-fulfillment of obligations by service providers, faulty or intentional actions of the Company's 
employees, actions of third parties. 

Damage caused by unauthorized access of third parties to trade secrets.

Why is this risk important?

The Company's business processes and their efficiency directly depend on IT systems and the security of confidential 
information in all its forms.

Threats

Management

 ●

Intrusion and anomaly detection, security analysis of IT resources, collection and  
correlation of information security events 

 ● Conducting audits for compliance with the legal requirements in the field of personal  

data protection 

 ● Testing the skills of IT system users for bogus phishing attacks

If cyber threats 
materialize, they can 
disrupt business  
and production 
processes, damage 
the environment, and 
tarnish the Company’s 
business reputation.

PERSONNEL-RELATED RISKS

Risks of loss of key competencies necessary for business processes. 

Why is this risk important?

Human capital is just as important a resource for achieving the Company's strategic and operational goals  
as its production facilities.

Threats

Management

The loss of key 
competencies can lead 
to downtime, increased 
costs, and shifts  
in project deadlines.

FINANCIAL RISKS

 ● Development of the workforce planning process by employee profile 
 ● Setting up a talent pool for senior positions 
 ● Tracking employee motivation and satisfaction levels 
 ● Establishing relations with basic educational institutions to improve the quality  

of personnel training, incentivizing future graduates to join the Company 

 ● Developing individual employee training and development plans

Risks associated with the Group's financial activities: liquidity risks, currency and price risks, tax risks, credit risks.

Threats

Management

Why is this risk important?

 ● Early diagnosis and prevention of diseases, development of a conscious attitude of employees 
to their health, voluntary medical insurance, insurance against accidents and critical illnesses, 
health resort treatment 

 ● Ensuring the availability of high-quality food and dietary regime 
 ● Promoting healthy lifestyle 
 ● Upgrading corporate medical institutions (purchase of medical equipment, training of medical 

personnel) 

 ● Organizing various forms of rehabilitation treatment for workers who have suffered from 

 ●

COVID-19 and viral pneumonia, on the basis of corporate medical facilities 
Implementing a set of measures to counteract the spread of COVID-19 at the Company's 
production facilities, including mass laboratory tests 

 ● Voluntary vaccination against seasonal flu and pneumococcal infection in all regions where 

the Company operates

 ● Handing over medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment to medical facilities in the regions 

where the Company operates 

 ● Additional payments to medical workers’ payroll and organizing catering for them

The key factor determining the size of the Group's revenue are global steel prices. Since most of the Group’s revenue is 
denominated in foreign currencies and most of expenses are denominated in rubles, the Group faces currency risk.  
In addition, some of the Group's products are sold with deferred payment, which creates credit risk. For the Group to meet  
its obligations to employees, customers, and suppliers, it should have sufficient financial reserves and a balanced cash flow.

Threats

Management

If financial risks 
materialize, the Group's 
financial performance 
may deteriorate, and 
it may not be able to 
fulfil its obligations to 
suppliers, contractors, 
and customers.

 ● Creating a risk reserve of unencumbered cash 
 ● Securing confirmed credit lines with first-class Russian and foreign financial institutions 
 ● Natural hedging of price risk by currency risk, maintaining an optimal open currency position 
 ● Using formula-based pricing, concluding long-term contracts 
 ● Government relations and relations with expert communities 
 ● Control of supply contracts with deferred payment, contracts for the purchase of goods/

services with advance payments 

 ● Determining the credit limit based on internal scoring and external ratings 
 ● Using risk transfer tools: bank guarantee, insurance limit, letters of credit, factoring 
 ● Applying a portfolio approach to similar requirements, monitoring the portfolio limit

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

The Company also identifies  
the following risks:
 ● Environmental risks  

(see the Environmental Protection  
and Climate Change sections  
for details) 

 ● Reputation risks and stakeholder 

engagement (including contractors) 
risks (see the Stakeholder 
Engagement section for details) 

 ● Investment project management risks 
 ● Equipment failure risks 
 ● Inventory risks 
 ● Operational efficiency risks 
 ● Supply continuity risks 
 ● Free trade restriction risks 
 ● Corruption and fraud risks, compliance 

risks, and legal and contractual  
risks (see the Compliance section  
for details)

EMERGING RISKS

The Group pays special attention to 
monitoring emerging risks. These are 
risks, the impact and probability of which 
cannot be reliably and fully assessed 
based on statistics or other available 
information. Completely new risks  
or previously known risks in a rapidly 
changing context can be emerging risks.

Emerging risks tend to be external 
in nature. At the moment, we identify 
geopolitical, social, demographic, and 
climate risks, as well as the risks of 
rapid technological change. With their 
development, emerging risks can be 
reconsidered as current risks, which 
are managed according to the standard 
approaches and practices adopted  
in the Group. One example of such a risk 
is the risk of information security.

Since there is not enough information 
to assess the probability of emerging 
risk, the Group has chosen the following 
strategy: for the most clearly shaped 
risks, it conducts a scenario analysis  
of their impact on the Group's goals, and 
also increases the stability of the Group's 
business to any events, regardless of 
their nature.

2020 PERFORMANCE

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the likelihood of most of the key risks. 

In line with the current internal control and risk management system, measures  
have been developed and are being implemented to reduce the impact of these risks 
on the Company's business continuity and financial performance.

The events that took place in 2020 confirmed the need to shift the Company's focus 
from managing individual risks to organizing business continuity and overall resource 
protection, regardless of the sources of threats.

RISK STRATEGY AND PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

NLMK has introduced the practice of regularly updating the internal control and risk 
management system. Three main areas of the Company's development for the next 
three years were approved in 2020:

1.  Business continuity management

Systematic work on continuity management is one of NLMK’s priorities in its risk 
minimization activities. In view of this approach, a project is underway to organize 
a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) in accordance with the Business 
Continuity international standards and best international practices.

The Company is committed to preventing the negative impact of possible business 
interruptions due to external and internal factors, to ensure stability in crisis 
situations and to fulfill its obligations to stakeholders.

In 2021, the Company plans to complete the resource and process criticality analysis 
at the Group's key sites, and update its business continuity plans.

2.  Process maturity

NLMK is consistently increasing the maturity level of its internal control and risk 
management system to ensure the achievement of project and process targets. 
This includes: improving existing control procedures by analyzing them, identifying 
areas for development, redesigning controls; eliminating redundancy; developing 
key risk indicators and defining their boundaries; developing approaches to joint risk 
modelling, stress testing, and scenario analysis.

In 2021, the Group plans to approve its risk appetite for key risks, develop a system 
of key risk indicators, and synchronize them with the goal-setting system.

3.  Corporate culture of risk awareness

The Company is committed to creating a risk awareness culture that meets 
the principles of engagement, responsibility, and risk prevention. As part of this 
commitment, NLMK plans to develop educational solutions, conduct trainings, raise 
awareness of employees about the internal control and risk management system,  
as well as about communication channels for sharing risk-related information. 

Risk management requires specific knowledge and often involves data processing 
and modelling. In order to cope with specific local tasks in business units, the Risk Lab 
competence centre is being created, which will develop innovative methods and tools 
for quantifying risk and making decisions in conditions of uncertainty.

COMPLIANCE 

The Company is actively developing  
its compliance system, which aims  
to ensure that NLMK's operations  
comply with applicable legislation and 
internal documents. The functioning  
of the compliance system is ensured  
by the Compliance Division, established  
in 2020, as well as profile divisions.

The Compliance Division:
 ● Implements anti-corruption 
programmes and activities 

 ● Implements antitrust risk 

management programmes 

 ● Coordinates the implementation  
of other compliance procedures

ANTITRUST COMPLIANCE 

NLMK Group continues to improve  
its antitrust compliance system, taking 
into account changes in the legislation 
and law enforcement development 
trends. The Company has introduced  
the practice of continuous monitoring  
of antitrust legislation, antitrust 
practices and the experience of other 
companies in preventing antitrust risks. 

With a view to ensuring antitrust 
compliance, the Company has 
established a number of control 
procedures and produced educational 
and data analytics materials for 
employees. In 2020, all mandatory 
procedures enabling effective 
functioning of the programme were 
implemented. They included risk 

monitoring, which did not reveal significant changes in the Company's antitrust risk 
map, and regular consultations on antitrust matters for employees. The antitrust 
compliance manager participated in the business processes most exposed to 
antitrust risks (shaping the trade and sales policy, concluding contracts, interacting 
with counterparties). 

Employee training is a key element of the compliance system. In 2020, a pilot 
training on antitrust requirements was carried out for employees, and a map of 
the Company’s key positions was developed for continuous training and testing. 
Part of the training was held online expanding the reach to more employees across 
different regions. NLMK Group regularly shares information about antitrust 
requirements with its employees using various formats to achieve maximum effect.

The Company’s Antitrust Policy declares ‘zero tolerance’ to violations of the antitrust 
law. The Company continues to improve its antitrust risk prevention system, and  
in 2020, it was included in the Legal Support function.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

INTERNAL AUDIT

Internal audit is a source of independent 
and reasonable guarantees to the Board 
of Directors and management and it 
is involved in improving the Group's 
performance by:
 ● Conducting objective audits in line  

with the risk-based approach

 ● Giving recommendations following 

the results of audits and knowledge 
sharing

The Group’s internal audit function is 
built in line with legal requirements and 
the recommendations of professional 
standards and the Bank of Russia’s 
Corporate Governance Code, and meets 
the requirements of best international 
practices. 

Internal audit is a centralized function that fully encompasses the core activities  
of NLMK Group companies, including international companies. The unified management 
of the internal audit function allows for the use of uniform standard approaches 
to planning, auditing and reporting, and also ensures an effective exchange of 
information between specialists of the Internal Audit Service and with key stakeholders.

The Internal Audit Service performs the following key functions:
 ● Assessment of the internal control system
 ● Evaluation of the risk management system’s effectiveness 
 ● Assessment of corporate governance

In addition, the Internal Audit Service performs consulting activities by providing 
professional opinions to internal customers on certain matters concerning financial 
and business operations.

The Company’s internal control and risk management system is evaluated taking  
into account the principles set forth in international standards for risk management 
and internal control, including ISO 31000:2018, COSO ERM:2017, and COSO 2013.

PRINCIPLES OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT

Principle of the Internal Audit Service 

Tools and mechanisms for enforcing the principles

Independence and objectivity

Audit Director functionally reports to NLMK’s Board of Directors 

Systematic and consistent  
approach

Audit Director is appointed (dismissed) by a resolution of NLMK's Board of Directors

Audit Director has the right of direct and free access to the Chairman of the Board  
of Directors, Chairman of the Audit Committee, and CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) to provide information on significant risks that have been identified

Third parties are prohibited from interfering in the process and the results  
of the audit

The Internal Audit Service is guided by a risk-based Audit Plan

Resources are distributed between targeted (limited scope) and comprehensive 
audits of processes and subsidiaries in devising the Audit Plan

The Internal Audit Service prepares recommendations taking into account  
the costs/value ratio. Priority is given to systemic measures

Regular monitoring of the execution of post-audit recommendations

Efficient use of resources

Lead auditors are appointed from among the most qualified auditors

Professionalism and a professional 
approach to work

Continuous audit quality  
improvement

Engagement of internal and external experts (consultants)

Timely status updates to the Company's management about the requirements 
(limitations) for the resources needed to conduct audits

Internal auditors have special knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to carry out 
practical professional activity in the Company; continuous professional development 
and improvement of the said knowledge, skills, and other expertise through 
assessment, training, and sharing experience; continuous development of expertise 
in IT systems as the key source of information during audits

Annual internal and periodic external (once every five years) assessments of 
the internal audit function to determine whether the activities of the Internal Audit 
Service and auditors comply with the definition of internal audit, the International 
Standards or the Professional Practice of Internal Auditors, and the Code of Ethics 
of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), with a view to further improve it.

After its 2017 independent quality assessment, Deloitte provided NLMK with 
a positive opinion stating that the Internal Audit Service’s activities are generally  
in line with International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditors 
and the IIA Code of Ethics. 

The main internal document of  
NLMK Group governing the Internal 
Audit Service functions is 
the Regulations on the Internal Audit 
Service. The Regulations have been 
approved by the Board of Directors  
and are available on the Company's 
official website.

The Head of the Internal Audit Service, 
as part of their activities, submits 
reports to the Audit Committee 
on the audit results of the actual 
state, reliability, and effectiveness 
of the internal control and risk 
management system.

2020 PERFORMANCE

In 2020, the Internal Audit Service continued to implement the Internal Audit 
Development Strategy through to 2022 and approved by the Audit Committee.

A number of planned activities were carried out with the following key results:
 ● Evaluation of the effectiveness of the risk management system
 ● Assessment of the risk management system’s effectiveness 
 ● Assessment of the internal control system’s effectiveness for end-to-end 

processes at NLMK Group: Maintenance, Procurement: Raw materials, Operational 
efficiency, Qualification, tender, and contract approval, etc.

 ● Local audits of process control efficiency

PLANS FOR 2021 AND THE MEDIUM TERM

 ● Assessing the reliability and functioning of risk management and internal control 
for NLMK Group’s key business processes according to the Internal Audit Plan, 
including the study of end-to-end processes in the Company’s international assets
 ● Improving compliance with the requirements of antitrust, anti-dumping, and anti-

corruption legislation

 ● Assessment of corporate governance effectiveness

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES

NLMK Group is guided by high ethical 
standards, principles of business 
transparency, and zero tolerance  
to any form or manifestation of 
corruption in its day-to-day operations. 
The Company engages in targeted  
work to prevent and counteract 
corruption and fraud. The Company’s 
management constantly devotes 
attention to timely detecting and 
responding to wrongdoings  GRI 102-16 .

The Company has adopted the Code  
of Corporate Ethics and Anti-Corruption 
Policy. Whenever a new version  
of the Code of Corporate Ethics  
or Anti-Corruption Policy comes into 
effect, all employees of the Company 
review latest version and sign 
an acknowledgement form  GRI 102-16 .

The Company also expects its business 
partners to adhere to basic values  
and principles of good business  
conduct. The Company’s business 
partners familiarize themselves with 
the provisions of the Code of Corporate 
Ethics during the qualification and 
selection of a counterparty as well  
as the conclusion of a contract. 
The Group imposes a mandatory 
requirement on all business partners 
that an anti-corruption clause  
must be included in the contract,  
or an Agreement on Anti-corruption 
Terms must be signed  GRI 102-16 . 

The Audit Committee of the Board  
of Directors, the CEO (Chairman  
of the Management Board), and  
the Risk Management Committee of 
the Management Board all play a key  
role in establishing an anti-corruption  
system that functions efficiently  
The Vice President for Risk Management 
is in charge of implementing anti-
corruption programmes and countering 
corruption within the Company. 
The Compliance unit implements 
anti-corruption programmes and 
activities  GRI 102-16 . 

The main mechanisms and tools employed by the Company to combat corruption  
and fraud are  GRI 102-17, GRI 205-2 : 
 ● The drafting, communication to all stakeholders, and implementation of internal 

corporate documents

 ● Informing and training employees about anti-corruption issues
 ● Efficient feedback mechanisms for collecting and analysing information, including 
an anti-corruption hotline and continuous informing of employees about available 
feedback channels

 ● The identification, assessment, and management of corruption and fraud risks 

within business processes and mitigating these risks

 ● The inclusion of the requirement to comply with the provisions of the Anti-corruption 
Policy and the Code of Ethics in the job descriptions of employees and agreements 
with counterparties

The Company has introduced a number of feedback mechanisms for collecting  
and analysing information about any instances of corruption, fraud, unethical  
or unfair behaviour, or other wrongdoing that could take place or have taken place. 
The most well-known mechanisms are the anti-corruption hotline and the e-mail  
for whistleblowers (including anonymous). Contacts are available on the Company's 
website  GRI 102-17, GRI 205-2 . 

All requests are promptly analysed in accordance with the procedure in place  
at the Group, and corrective measures are taken if necessary. Any information 
that is corroborated about instances of corruption is anonymized and published on 
the corporate portal. This procedure serves to inform employees about the result  
of the inspections/investigations initiated by hotline reports and to remind employees 
that corruption is strictly prohibited (Article 4 of the Anti-Corruption Policy)  
 GRI 102-17, GRI 205-2 . 

The anti-corruption and fraud system 
efficiency assessment is performed 
as part of audits by the Internal Audit 
Service.

Risks associated with corruption and 
fraud are identified, analysed, and 
assessed at all levels of management  
and at all the Group’s companies  GRI 205-1 .

Experts from the Compliance unit 
together with other departments 
are consistently working to identify 
the sources of fraud and corruption 
risks and prevent them from 
materializing  GRI 205-1 .

The efficiency of NLMK Group's Code  
of Corporate Ethics is assessed  
as part of the Internal Audit Service's 
audits. In 2020, following the test of 
the conflict of interest declaration 
procedure among employees, 
investigations were conducted against  
31 employees. As a result, one real 
conflict of interest situation and  
nine potential ones were identified.  
Corrective measures are taken for  
the identified shortcomings.

PREVENTION 
AND RESOLUTION 
OF CONFLICTS 
OF INTEREST

More than 3,000 employees of the Group 
working in the areas most exposed 
to the risks of fraud and corruption 
are required to undergo the conflict 
of interest declaration procedure 
annually. While other employees have 
the opportunity to declare conflict of 
interest via an electronic questionnaire 
at their own initiative. All situations with 
signs of a conflict of interest, declared 
by employees or identified by control 
services, are promptly analysed in 
accordance with the procedure adopted 
in the Group. If necessary, measures are 
taken to resolve them. As part of this 
procedure, employees are also required 
to confirm that they have reviewed 
the provisions of the Anti-Corruption 
Policy, Code of Corporate Ethics, 
and Regulations on the Prevention, 
Detection, and Settlement of a Conflict 
of Interest  GRI 205-2 .

2020 PERFORMANCE

In 2020, more than 3,000 employees underwent the conflict of interest declaration 
procedure and confirmed that they had reviewed the provisions of the Code of 
Corporate Ethics, Anti-Corruption Policy, and Regulations on the Prevention, 
Detection, and Settlement of a Conflict of Interest. The rest employees were made 
aware of the provisions of these regulations when they were amended, by publishing 
the wording of the documents on NLMK's corporate portal. A total of 42 employees 
individually took a Conflict of Interest distance learning course (2,458 employees  
in total since the launch of the course)  GRI 205-2 .

All the Group’s business partners are informed about the principles of good conduct 
in the qualification process and when a contract is concluded. In 2020, 14,463 business 
partners were informed  GRI 205-2 . 

Each report about corrupt practices or intentions received through feedback 
channels is thoroughly checked in accordance with the Regulation on Conducting 
Official Investigations and Inspection  GRI 205-2, GRI 205-3 .

NUMBER OF OFFICIAL INSPECTIONS/INVESTIGATIONS INITIATED 
AFTER REPORTS VIA FEEDBACK CHANNELS IN 2020

20

45

10

15

Anti-corruption e-mail
Direct request
Hotline

Instances of corruption and fraud that were confirmed in 2020 included, among other 
things, the unfair behaviour of suppliers, the provision of false information, unethical 
behaviour as well as deliberate actions taken against property and resources 
for personal gain  GRI 205-2 . 

Based on the results of official inspections and investigations in 2020, the total 
share of confirmed claims was 36%, seven facts of fraudulent actions were revealed, 
five of which were committed with the participation of the Company's employees. 
Employment relationships were terminated with 140 employees  GRI 205-2, GRI 205-3 .

A total of 599 potential suppliers were rejected in the qualification of supplier 
counterparties in 2020 by the corporate security criteria  GRI 205-2 . 

During the year, no corruption-related legal proceedings were initiated against NLMK 
Group or its employees  GRI 206-1 .

PLANS FOR 2021 AND THE MEDIUM TERM

The Company’s plans for countering corruption and fraud and introducing good 
business practices include further developing all existing procedures and improving 
the efficiency of existing measures.

88

89

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

The Company hires an independent 
audit organization to audit and 
confirm the accuracy of NLMK 
Group’s IFRS (International Financial 
Reporting Standards) consolidated 
financial statements, and NLMK’s 
RAS (Russian Accounting Standards) 
accounting (financial) statements. 
In April 2020, NLMK’s Annual General 
Meeting of Shareholders approved 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit (PwC)  
as the Company’s auditor.

The independent auditor is selected 
from among recognized independent 
auditors with an impeccable professional 
reputation. The main criteria for 
selecting an independent auditor 
are the qualifications of the audit 
organization, the quality of the services 
provided as well as compliance with 
the audit independence requirements. 
The candidate for an independent 
auditor is reviewed by the Audit 
Committee of the Board of Directors  
and the Board of Directors, and is 
approved by NLMK’s Annual General 
Meeting of Shareholders.

PwC has been the auditor of the Group 
since 2003. The Board’s Audit 
Committee, which is responsible for 
evaluating the efficiency of the current 
independent auditor, was satisfied with 
the quality of the services provided. 
In 2019 it recommended that the Board 
of Directors and the General Meeting 
of Shareholders re-appoint PwC  
as the Group’s auditor for 2020–2022.

Compliance with the auditor's independence principle

In order to comply with the requirements for audit independence and ensure 
a high level of professionalism, PwC has several systems that ensure audit 
independence and maintain a high level of professionalism and the quality of the 
services provided. For example, PwC rotates key audit personnel on a regular 
basis (at least once every seven years) with the latest rotation in 2020.

In addition to providing audit services to confirm the reliability of financial statements, 
NLMK Group’s companies may hire PwC and other PwC companies to provide 
consulting (non-audit) services. The management of NLMK Group and, in particular, 
the Audit Committee, performs the necessary procedures and are certain that these 
services do not affect the independence of the auditor and are not related to financial 
reporting. In 2020, the share of non-audit services in the total volume of services 
provided by PwC was at an acceptable level and did not exceed 29% of the total 
volume.

REMUNERATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

NLMK’s Board of Directors has determined the value of remuneration for the provision 
of audit (review) services of NLMK’s 2020 interim and annual IFRS consolidated financial 
statements as well as for the audit of the 2020 RAS statements in the amount  
of RUB 59,100,000 (VAT excluded).

REMUNERATION PAID TO NLMK GROUP'S INDEPENDENT AUDITOR  
FOR 2020, $ '000 (VAT EXCLUDED)

Types of services

Audit and reviews

Non-audit services

Remuneration

1,498.1

624.3

INFORMATION  
FOR SHAREHOLDERS  
AND INVESTORS

ORDINARY SHARES

The Group’s share capital is divided  
into 5,993,227,240 shares with a nominal 
value of RUB 1 each. NLMK shares  
are traded on the Moscow Stock 
Exchange as well as in the form  
of Global Depositary Shares (GDS)  
(1 GDS = 10 ordinary shares)  
on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).  
The volume of GDS issued by NLMK 
and traded on the London Stock 

Exchange amounted to 7.52% of share capital as of 31 December 2020. The Company’s 
depositary bank is Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. 

London Stock Exchange (London) Ticker Code

Moscow Stock Exchange (Moscow) Ticker Code 

Bloomberg Ticker Code

Reuters Ticker Code 

NLMK

NLMK

NLMK LI1 

NLMKq.L2 

INDICES THAT INCLUDE NLMK SHARES

General indices

14.  STOXX Global Total Market  

ESG indices

1.  RTS Index
2.  RTS Metals and Mining Index
3.  MOEX Russia Index
4.  MOEX Metals and Mining Index
5.  MOEX Broad Market Index
6.  MSCI Russia Index
7.  MSCI Emerging Markets
8.  Bloomberg World Index
9.  Bloomberg World Iron/Steel Index
10.  Bloomberg Europe Iron/Steel Index
11.  Bloomberg EMEA – World Index
12.  FTSE Russia IOB Index
13.  FTSE Emerging Markets Index

SHAREHOLDER NUMBERS

In 2020, the number of shareholders 
increased by 73%, reaching 114,000 
people. The number of online voting 
participants increased to 677 people by 
the end of the year (+57% yoy).

Price Index

15.  STOXX All Europe Total Market  

26.  MOEX RSPP Sustainability Vector 

Price Index

Index

16.  STOXX BRIC 400 Price Index
17.  STOXX Global 3000 Price Index
18.  STOXX Emerging Markets 1500 Index
19.  Russian Depositary Index USD
20.  S&P Emerging BMI
21.  S&P Global LargeMidCap
22.  S&P Global BMI Materials USD
23.  DAXglobal Russia+ Price Index EUR
24.  DAXglobal Steel EUR Price
25.  Dow Jones Emerging Markets Select 

Dividend Index USD

27.  MOEX RSPP Responsibility and 

Transparency Index

28.  MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG 
Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index
29.  FTSE Emerging Markets ESG Index
30.  FTSE4Good Emerging Total Return 

Index 

NUMBER OF NLMK SHAREHOLDERS AND ONLINE VOTING PARTICIPANTS

Indicator

As of 25.11.2019

As of 23.11.2020

Variance, %

Total shareholders

Online voting participants

66,045

431

114,181

677

73

57

90

91

1 

2 

 NLMK LI for GDS traded on the LSE; NLMK RX for shares traded on the MICEX platform of the Moscow Exchange
 NLMK LI for GDS traded on the LSE; NLMK.MM for shares traded on the MICEX platform of the Moscow Exchange

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SHARE PRICE

NLMK GLOBAL DEPOSITARY SHARE PRICE ON THE LONDON  
STOCK EXCHANGE, $

Indicator 

Start of year

End of year

Maximum

Minimum

Average

2019

22.9

23.0

28.3

19.3

23.4

ORDINARY NLMK SHARE PRICE ON THE MOSCOW  
STOCK EXCHANGE, RUB

Indicator

Start of year

End of year

Maximum

Minimum

Average

2019

157.4

143.7

183.2

123.4

151.9

2020

Change, %

23.0

27.7

29.3

12.3

21.0

2020

143.7

209.1

223.8

101.1

152.8

1

20

3

−36

−10

Change, %

−9

45

22

−18

1

NLMK SHARE PRICES ON THE MOSCOW STOCK EXCHANGE 
AND LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE IN 2020

250

210

170

130

90

32

28

24

20

16

12

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

GDS price on LSE (right axis), $
Share price on MOEX (left axis), RUB

2020

NLMK SHARE INDEX AND MOSCOW STOCK EXCHANGE INDEX IN 2020

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

92

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

MOEX Russia Index
NLMK share index on MOEX

2020

MARKET CAPITALIZATION

In 2020, the Company’s average market 
capitalization on the London Stock 
Exchange was $14 bn (−7% yoy).  
At the end of 2020, NLMK share prices 
stood at $2.8 per share (or $27.74 
per GDS), which is consistent with 
a capitalization of $16.63 bn (+20% yoy).

TAXATION1

Legal entities

Chapter 25 ‘Tax on Organizations’  
Profit’ of the Russian Tax Code governs 
the tax treatment of organizations’ 
revenues received as dividends  
on shares. Dividends paid to 
organizations that are Russian 
taxpayers are subject to a 0% or 13% 
income tax (clauses 3.1 and 3.2,  
Article 284 of the Russian Tax Code);  
foreign organizations are subject  
to a 15% income tax (clause 3.3,  
Article 284 of the Russian Tax Code)  
in line with international taxation 
agreements of the Russian Federation.

Individuals

The personal income tax rate for 
Russian residents is 13% for income 
under RUB 5 million and 15% for income 
over RUB 5 million in a calendar year 
(clause 1, Article 224 of the Russian Tax 
Code; Section 3, Article 2 of Federal  
Law dd. 23/10/2020 No. 372-FZ), and 15% 
for non-residents (clause 3.2, Article 224 
of the Russian Tax Code).

DIVIDENDS

Dividend Policy

According to the current1 dividend policy, 
dividends are determined as follows:
 ● If Net Debt/EBITDA is 1.0x or less:  

the payout amount shall be equivalent 
to or above 100% of the free cash flow, 
calculated based on the Company’s 
IFRS consolidated financial statements 
for the reporting period

1 

Information on taxation is provided for general 
information purposes only. Potential and 
current investors should consult with their 
own advisors regarding the tax consequences 
of investing in the Company’s shares,  
including GDS.

 ● If Net Debt/EBITDA exceeds 1.0x:  

the payout amount shall be equivalent 
to or above 50% of the free cash flow, 
calculated based on the Company’s 
IFRS consolidated financial statements 
for the reporting period

Dividends are paid annually.  
If financially stable conditions are 
maintained, NLMK will strive to pay 
interim dividends on a quarterly  
basis. NLMK uses the normalized 
investment level of $700 m per year  
to calculate the free cash flow  
for dividend payments if actual 
investments are above this level.

The amount to be paid as dividend 
for a specific period is approved 
by the Company shareholders in 
line with the Board of Directors’ 
recommendations.

results on a quarterly basis. The annual report is published in electronic form  
on the Group’s website, www.nlmk.com, on the day of its official publication.  
The Company announces its publication in a special press release. A hard copy  
of the annual report is available upon request in the office of the Company.

EQUITY STRUCTURE

Stock share owned by governing bodies members is less than 0.01%.

EQUITY STRUCTURE AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2020, %

20.7

79.3

Fletcher Group Holdings Limited2
Other free-floating shares3

Dividends on GDS

CONTACTS FOR SHAREHOLDERS

Contacts
London: +44 (20) 7547-6500
New York: +1 (212) 250-91-00
Moscow: +7 (495) 642-06-16
Email: adr@db.com

Corporate Secretary
Valery Loskutov
Telephone: +7 (4742) 44-49-89
Email: loskutov_va@nlmk.com

Corporate Finance  
and Investor Relations
Telephone: +7 (495) 504-05-04
Email: ir@nlmk.com
 GRI 102-53 

Registrar
The register of holders  
of NLMK securities is maintained  
by the Regional Independent  
Registrar Agency (RIR Agency).
Registered address: 10b, 9 Maya St., 
Lipetsk, Russia, 398017
Telephone: +7 (4742) 44-30-95
Email: info@a-rnr.ru
Website: http://www.a-rnr.ru/

Depositary bank
Deutsche Bank Trust Company  
Americas

New York Headquarters
60 Wall St., New York, NY 
10005 USA

London Office
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester St.
London EC2N 2DQ
UK

Any dividends paid on shares certified  
by GDS will be declared and paid  
to the Depositary in rubles or foreign 
currency, converted into US dollars  
by the depositary (in the case of  
dividend payments in a currency  
other than US dollars), and distributed  
to the holders of GDS, net of fees  
and depositary expenses.

CORPORATE DOCUMENTS

The Group’s corporate documents, 
including the NLMK Charter,  
are available at www.nlmk.com.

FINANCIAL REPORTING 
AND DISCLOSURE

The Group posts announcements of 
financial results on the London Stock 
Exchange website via the regulatory 
news service (RNS) and on the Interfax 
Corporate Disclosure Centre website, 
and then publishes them on the Group’s 
website in the form of press releases 
and distributes them to the media.  
The Company publishes its financial 

1  As of 31 December 2020.
2  The Company’s beneficiary is Vladimir Lisin, according to the definition of ‘beneficiary’ in Russian legislation.

3 

Including GDS traded on the London Stock Exchange (Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is NLMK’s depositary bank) and shares traded  
on the Moscow Exchange.

93

ANNUALREPORT   2020OUR

96  Stakeholder dialogue

104  Supply chain management

112  Human rights

118  Our employees

138  Occupational health and safety

150  Developing local communities

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE

NLMK STAKEHOLDER MAP IN 2020

OUR APPROACH TO STAKEHOLDER  
ENGAGEMENT

R GROUPS’ INFL U E N

E
D
L
O
H
E
K
A
T
S

O M P A N Y

E   C

H

N   T

C E  O

H igh

THE COMPANY’S IN

A C T I V E  INVOLVEMENT

F

L

U

E

N

C

E 

O

N

T

H

E

S

T

A

K

E

H

O

L

D

E

R

G

R

O

U

P

S

Government 
authorities

Shareholders

Investment 
community

Employees

Stakeholders

Clients

Suppliers 
and contractors

NLMK Group’s sustainable development 
is built on a foundation of transparent, 
trust-based stakeholder engagement 
over the long term  GRI 102-16 .

In developing our approach to managing 
stakeholder engagement, we are 
guided by international and corporate 
standards, and we are committed  
to identifying and taking into account  
the interests and needs of the Company’s 
key stakeholders. The general principles 
for our communication and engagement 
with stakeholders can be found in our 
Corporate Ethics Code, Corporate 
Governance Code, Supplier Code of 
Conduct, Anti-Corruption Policy, Human 
Rights Policy, and other NLMK corporate 
documents, published on NLMK’s website  
 GRI 102-43 .

 GRI 102-40  NLMK’s key stakeholder groups are: 
 ● Shareholders
 ● Company clients
 ● Foreign, national, and regional government authorities
 ● Investment community
 ● Company employees
 ● Trade unions
 ● Suppliers and contractors
 ● Local communities

NLMK maintains a list of stakeholders and prioritizes them according to mutual 
influence and convergence of interests. The Company’s stakeholder map  
is based on the needs and interests of stakeholders and NLMK, as well as expert 
assessments from the Company’s management, and is regularly reviewed  
and updated as necessary. In 2020, the stakeholder map did not undergo any  
significant changes  GRI 102-42 .

M

A

I

N

T

A

I

N

I

N

G

S

A

Trade unions

Local 
communities

T
I
S

F

A

C

TIO

N LEVEL

T AININ G A W ARENESS

A I N

M

Low

Internal stakeholders
Business partners
Other external stakeholders
Stakeholder target development area 

NLMK uses various means to engage with stakeholders, thereby enabling  
the Company to promptly identify risks and new opportunities when working  
together with its stakeholders. In 2020, the Company continued to maintain  
an active dialogue with all of its stakeholders  GRI 413-1 .

96

97

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

RESULTS OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT  
 GRI 102-44, GRI 102-21 

CONSUMERS

Importance for NLMK

Stakeholder  
interests

Forms of engagement

The consumers of NLMK products include manufacturers from various regions of the world and 
industrial sectors: steelmaking, construction, automotive industry, machine and shipbuilding, 
and pipe manufacturing. By openly engaging with consumers, we are able to increase their 
satisfaction and loyalty and help grow sales of NLMK products.

NLMK strives to create a client-centred system that allows us to track and predict changes 
in consumer demand and satisfy our clients’ changing needs.

In order to increase customer satisfaction, NLMK Group established a claim consideration 
procedure that is fully in compliance with international standards for quality management 
systems (ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016). All consumer claims are registered in an electronic 
filing system with set consideration deadlines. Customers receive constant feedback on 
the status of claim consideration and settlement. NLMK staff undergoes specialized training 
to enhance the technical service level. All deficiencies detected by consumers are registered 
and analysed in order to elaborate corrective measures and to develop actions for continuous 
quality and service improvement.

Another principle guiding the Company’s activities is preventing any potential risk of harm 
related to the use of our products or packaging. This principle concerns chemical, radiation, 
fire, and phytosanitary safety. The framework we use to determine the safety characteristics 
of our products includes European Union directives and regulations (RoHS2, ELV, WEEE,  
and REACH).

The Company employs a variety of sales channels, including rapidly growing online sales.  
Sales managers in all units work with the Company's clients on a daily basis.

 ● Compliance with contractual obligations
 ● High-quality products
 ● Development of a product line policy
 ● Competitive pricing
 ● Timely and reliable deliveries

 ● Developing a sales channel network
 ● Monitoring customer satisfaction
 ● Holding coordinating councils
 ● Addressing customer claims
 ● Holding and participating in public events, business meetings, and negotiations
 ● Raising public awareness through materials in the media and on our website
 ● Customer service. In the current strategic cycle, NLMK has set and is monitoring 

the following key customer service indicators:
 — Delivery terms, including OTIF
 — Product support (new product and service development, technical support, 

consideration of claims/complaints)

 — Customer interaction (electronic document flow, order status information, etc.)
 — Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)

EMPLOYEES

Importance for NLMK

Our employees are essential to the Company’s stability, ensuring that the business can operate 
and grow successfully.

Creating a highly qualified and motivated team is a key goal of our engagement with staff 
and an integral factor behind NLMK’s leading position in the industry. The Human Resources 
Department works with employees across all NLMK units.

NLMK provides decent working conditions for its employees and continues to develop 
financial and non-financial incentive systems. The Company runs various employee training 
programmes, including those organized as part of the NLMK Corporate University.

The Company seeks to increase employee engagement by improving feedback channels, 
conducting team-building activities, and offering social support.

Effective employee dialogue is supported by the internal corporate communications system. 
This system successfully: 
 ● Explains the Group’s strategic goals and values to employees
 ● Facilitates the inclusion of every team member in the process of continuous 

improvements

 ● Strengthens the Group’s employer brand
 ● Delivers information in a timely manner and provides a feedback mechanism
 ● Ensures convenient access to corporate services
 ● Develops horizontal links between colleagues

Stakeholder  
interests

 ● Decent salaries and an incentive system in place
 ● Opportunities for professional development and career growth
 ● Comfortable, safe workspaces
 ● Compliance with employment laws and other regulations

Forms of engagement

 ● Offering continuing education, training, and staff development programmes.  

For more information on employee training, see the Training and Development section.

 ● Organizing regular safety training sessions and implementing programmes  

to improve workplace conditions.  
For more information on the results of these activities, see the Occupational Health  
and Safety section.
Implementing measures to provide social support for employees, their families, and 
retirees (former employees).

 ●

 ● Holding regular meetings with management at various levels.
 ● Monitoring and sustaining employee engagement.
 ●

In 2020, our corporate NLMK Pulse Survey had a coverage of over 20,000 employees, 
which constituted around 74% of the full-time headcount at the Group’s Russian sites.  
The survey highlighted our strong suits as well as areas for development.  
See the Social Policy section for more.
Informing employees about the Company’s activities and opportunities for professional 
growth through corporate newspapers, magazines, NLMK TV, and social media.
Informing employees about the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

 ●

 ●

Amid the pandemic, NLMK seeks to maintain a high level of transparency and provide timely 
information to employees about the current situation and the measures taken within  
the company. When lockdown measures were at their peak, NLMK’s CEO addressed employees 
on the corporate portal every day.

98

99

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SHAREHOLDERS AND THE INVESTMENT COMMUNITY

Importance for NLMK

Shareholders own our business and influence the course of NLMK’s development. The Company 
is committed to safeguarding their interests.

GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES

Importance for NLMK

To ensure that NLMK remains an attractive investment, the Company provides the investment 
community with information about our performance that is as complete and up-to-date  
as possible.

The key goals of our engagement with investors and shareholders are to establish and maintain 
long-term connections and to provide timely information on the Company’s financial and non-
financial performance, as well as its development plans.

The unit in charge of engaging with the investment community is the Corporate Finance and 
Investor Relations Department.

Stakeholder  
interests

 ● Consistent improvement in the Company’s financial and non-financial performance
 ● Growth in the Company’s shareholder value
 ● Transparency and disclosure
 ●

Investment appeal and stability

Forms of engagement

 ● Disclosing information in various public sources: in 2020 the Company continued to publish 

its operating and financial performance reports on a quarterly basis

 ● Official visits for current and potential investors to the Group’s sites: due to the COVID-19 

pandemic, investor visits to sites were suspended in the reporting year to ensure 
the safety of employees and investors

 ● Participating in Russian and international investment conferences
 ● Holding business meetings, both one-on-one and in groups: we held about 450 meetings 

with investors in various formats

For more information about shareholder and investor engagement, see the Information  
for Shareholders and Investors section.

As a major global manufacturing company that has a presence in seven countries and five 
regions of the Russian Federation, NLMK encounters government regulations in various areas 
of its operations every day. Given the intense competition and market volatility, it is essential 
to have a stable regulatory environment that provides opportunities for long-term planning 
and stable business management.

A key goal of our engagement with the government authorities is to identify and manage  
risks in order to ensure the Company’s continuous operation and development. We also  
strive to assist in the creation of a regulatory environment that would enable the Company  
to meet its obligations before society. As represented by its Government Relations 
Department, the Company thus engages on an ongoing basis with state authorities, as well 
as social, industry, and expert organizations in each country and region where it operates. 
For the purposes of regulatory agenda setting, NLMK participates in the formulation and 
consolidation of the business community’s position, presenting it at state authority platforms 
and participating in industry-specific meetings. The Company also represents and defends 
its interests on the internal and external markets through government and public forums, 
such as the World Trade Organization, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, 
the Russian Steel Association, public councils and advisory bodies of federal and regional 
authorities, and with the government authorities.

A key component of the Company’s approach is providing assistance to its functional 
units on issues concerning the formulation of the Company’s position when engaging with 
government authorities. This helps functional experts work more efficiently, respond to 
various state authority demands in a more effective and informed manner, and put forward 
the necessary regulatory initiatives.

Stakeholder interests

 ● Compliance with legislative requirements
 ● Meeting tax obligations
 ● Monitoring and assessing normative legal risks
 ● Developing initiatives to improve the Company’s regulatory activities
 ● Developing local communities
 ● Enhancing social engagement in areas where the Company operates
 ● Reducing the environmental footprint

Forms of engagement

 ● Meetings with representatives of foreign, national, regional, and municipal state 

authorities

 ● Participation in advisory bodies, expert working groups, and public hearings
 ● Engagement through industry-specific and public associations
 ● Annual disclosure of information about payments to governments
 ●

Involvement in policy-making processes in accordance with the procedures  
stipulated by law

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Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS

Importance for NLMK

Stakeholder interests

Forms of engagement

The timely and accurate delivery of quality goods and services by suppliers and contractors 
has a direct impact on the quality of our products and the stability of NLMK’s production 
processes.

Strong and mutually beneficial relationships with reliable suppliers and contractors  
are essential if the Group is to sustain its operations and fulfil its obligations. 

The unit responsible for working with suppliers and contractors is the NLMK Procurement 
Service.

The Group’s priorities are to ensure that goods and services are of high quality, that  
the right goods are purchased at the right time, and that procurement is as competitive  
and transparent as possible. 

Most of the Company’s tender procedures are conducted electronically using the SAP SRM  
and SAP Ariba Network systems, ensuring the transparency of procurement activities.

The Company seeks to develop mutually beneficial long-term relationships with its business 
partners, based on the principles of transparency, ethics, and fairness. The fundamental 
collaboration principles are contained in the Supplier Code of Conduct, which indicates what  
we expect from our suppliers and highlights our aspiration to attain a high level of fairness, 
ethical behaviour, and responsibility in all of our business areas. The Code also stipulates 
compliance with the requirements of occupational safety, anti-corruption, and conflict-of-
interest management.

 ● Transparent competitive procurement procedures for goods and services
 ● Fulfilment of contractual obligations
 ● An effective system for processing feedback and complaints
 ● A risk management and anti-corruption system

 ● Conducting prequalification of suppliers
 ● Developing competitive procurement procedures for goods and services
 ● Developing electronic data interchange with EDI suppliers
 ● Negotiating with potential partners
 ● Organizing the work of category managers
 ● Offering a feedback form and a digital assistant based on the QUBO dialogue platform  

on the corporate portal for contractors

 ● Conducting business meetings with suppliers and participating in conferences and industry 

associations

strategy and inform them of their role in the strategy

 ● Carrying out assessments and audits of suppliers and contractors in order to confirm 

their reliability, status as suppliers, production capacity, and compliance with occupational 
health and safety, industrial safety, and environmental requirements

For more information on the results of supplier and contractor engagement, see the Supply 
Chain Management section.

 ● Organizing online conferences for suppliers to present NLMK Group’s procurement 

Stakeholder interests

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Importance for NLMK

The long-term stability of NLMK’s business is largely dependent on the social and economic 
stability of the regions where it operates. NLMK’s contribution to developing local communities 
has a positive impact on stakeholder loyalty and the Company’s overall reputation.

NLMK Group enterprises are some of the largest employers and taxpayers in the regions 
where they operate. 

The Company has an interest in improving the living standards of local people and involving 
them in the Group’s social and environmental initiatives. NLMK holds public hearings, conducts 
surveys of local people to identify their needs, and organizes various volunteer and charity 
programmes. The effectiveness and coverage of these programmes increases each and  
every year.

The local community development activities are organized by the HR Department together  
with the Government Relations team.

Stakeholder  
interests

Jobs for local people

 ● Company involvement in addressing the problems of local communities
 ●
 ● Safe production practices and reducing environmental footprint
 ● A conscientious approach to doing business

Forms of engagement

 ● Engaging in a dialogue with local representatives to inform them about the Company’s 

activities in the regions where it operates

 ● Publishing corporate reports
 ● Publishing information in the media and on the Company’s website
 ● Holding thematic conferences and events

For more information on the results of local community engagement,  
see the Developing Local Communities section.

TRADE UNIONS

Importance for NLMK

Trade unions are important partners for NLMK in providing workers with social welfare  
and employment-related guarantees.

A key focus of NLMK’s work with trade unions is the conclusion of collective bargaining 
agreements. These agreements are designed to guarantee the provision of decent working 
conditions and a bonus and compensation system. NLMK’s effective engagement with trade 
unions helps to strengthen its employer brand.

 ● Compliance with employment legislation and protection of employee interests
 ● Compliance with the sectoral tariff agreement
 ● Compliance with the terms of collective bargaining agreements

Forms of engagement

 ● Conducting collective bargaining: in 2020, we continued a series of collective negotiations 

with the trade union organisations of NLMK Group companies. Steps were taken 
to harmonize the basic benefits provided under collective bargaining agreements
 ● Concluding collective bargaining and other agreements and signing joint resolutions: 

in 2020, the terms of collective agreements were renegotiated for the Stoilensky Mining 
and Beneficiation Plant and VIZ-Steel. Previously, in 2019, collective bargaining agreement 
terms were renegotiated for nine NLMK Group sites
 ● Working jointly on various commissions and committees
 ● Holding employee conferences

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANNUAL
REPORT    
2020

RUB  153

billion
total volume of goods  
and materials procured  
from third parties  
by NLMK's Russian  
companies

33

audits 
of suppliers of goods  
and services conducted 
over the year

SUPPLY  
CHAIN  
MANAGEMENT1

MAJOR THEME
SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL  
ASSESSMENT

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● Expanded use of electronic document management with suppliers
 ● Part of investment procurement process automated via SAP Ariba 

Sourcing

 ● Interactive category reporting implemented
 ● Claim management automation project introduced 
 ● Vice President of Procurement recognized as the best Professional  
in Competitive Procurement at the main professional competition  
among procurement experts in Russia 

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLES
 ● Principle 8. Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater 

environmental responsibility

 ● Principle 10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, 

including extortion and bribery

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE  
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1 

Information on procurement practices is presented for the Group’s Russian companies.

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

The Group’s efficient supply chain is 
crucial to its sustainable operation and 
the fulfilment of NLMK’s commitments. 
The Group regularly partners with 
more than 3,500 suppliers of goods 
and materials as well as contractors 
from which it procures a wide range of 
goods and services, including equipment, 
ferroalloys, non-ferrous metals, 
refractory products, and spare parts, 
among other things. 

The main principles governing the Group’s procurement activities are:
 ● Focus on goals, objectives, and outcomes
 ● Integrity and transparency
 ● Mutually beneficial cooperation
 ● Continuous improvement
 ● Qualified and motivated staff
 ● Teamwork and commitment to a company-oriented spirit
 ● Proactive approach

OUR APPROACH TO SUPPLY  
CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The procurement process at the Group 
is coordinated by a dedicated team  
and designed in such a way as to ensure 
that high-quality goods are procured  
in a timely and accurate manner  
and that the procurement process  
is as transparent and competitive  
as possible.

The procurement team’s main goal is 
to meet the expectations and needs 
of  specific groups of NLMK stakeholders, 
including shareholders, employees, 
customers, internal customers, and 
regulatory bodies. The procurement 
team’s key objectives are to unify and 
standardize procurement systems and 
processes, ensuring that they all have 
the same level of maturity. 

The main documents governing 
procurement activities at the Group are:
 ● Supplier Code of Conduct
 ● Contractor Audit Regulations
 ● Corporate-level regulations  

describing liaising with contractors: 
 — Contractor Qualification 

Regulations

 — Contractors Selection Regulations
 — Contractor Assessment 

Regulations

 — Regulations on Contractors 

Selection in Cooperation with  
the Tender Commission, etc.

 ● Category strategies

The organizational structure of the Group’s procurement team consists of centralized 
and decentralized components, which helps make the procurement process and 
cooperation with suppliers as efficient as possible. Interrelated procurement structures, 
policies, and procedures ensure that the approaches taken across all of the Group’s 
companies are consistent. 

The Opex Procurement and Capex Procurement teams are represented by category 
managers, who are responsible for the entire procurement process, from the moment 
that a procurement request is received from an internal customer to the moment that 
a supplier is selected.

SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT PROCESS WITHIN NLMK GROUP

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (SRM)

Supplier 
qualification

Supplier 
segmentation

Supplier 
evaluation

Quality control  
and identification 
of risks  
associated  
with supply of 
products

Distribution  
of suppliers  
by group  
relative to their 
importance  
to the business

Supplier 
performance 
assessment

Supplier 
efficiency 
management

Ensuring 
continuous 
improvement  
of suppliers’ work  
to meet NLMK’s 
requirements

Preliminary  
audits  
and audits  
of existing  
suppliers

RISK MANAGEMENT

Systematic monitoring of potential risks associated with the work of suppliers,  
taking measures to minimize threats and losses

In order to ensure a reliable and 
uninterrupted flow of goods and 
materials to the Group’s companies, 
the procurement team has developed 
over 50 category-based strategies. 
Procurement strategies for certain 
categories of goods are developed 
to take into account potential risks  
and determine scenarios depending  
on the level of risk and potential losses, 
and they also include plans to prevent 
any risks from arising.

Managing risks associated with  
the late, incomplete, or incorrect 
supply of goods and services is key to 
ensuring a reliable supply chain and 
the continuity of the Group’s operations. 
In 2020, a project to automate claim 
management was launched. 

Each year, suppliers of goods are 
evaluated and then divided into A, B, 
C, and D groups. Group D includes 
those suppliers that have proven to 
be unreliable based on the evaluation 

result. These contractors are excluded from the list of suppliers and are not allowed 
to participate in tender procedures in the future. As a result of the evaluation, 
28 suppliers were assigned the D status in 2020. 

The bulk of the Group’s procurement is carried out centrally, with local procurement 
classified in a separate category and supervised by the heads of local procurement 
departments. The centralized procurement support office in Lipetsk ensures  
the efficiency of procurement processes. Having a single service centre for 
processing transactions will reduce costs, improve levels of internal customer 
satisfaction, and speed up procurement procedures.

The Group is particularly focused on digitalizing and automating procurement 
activities. Most key procurement processes have been automated, and the majority 
of the Group’s tender procedures are carried out electronically using the SAP SRM 
(Supplier Relationship Management) system. NLMK’s achievements in automating 
procurement activities were recognized within the broader professional community. 
In 2020, NLMK Group Vice President of Procurement was recognized as the best 
Professional in Competitive Procurement at the main professional competition among 
procurement experts in Russia. 

Procurement service managers actively participate in corporate training 
programmes, which aim to develop competencies in a period of change, that would 
enable employees to prepare for challenges in a situation of uncertainty and 
turbulence, to form skills and ambition to be a role model, to learn the tools that 
support the Company in its strategic development in new economic conditions, and  
to develop expertise in the field of innovation, strategy, and inspiring leadership.

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ASSESSING  
PERFORMANCE

As part of efforts to increase responsibility across the supply chain, NLMK focuses on:
 ● Cooperating with suppliers and contractors with a strong commitment tosustainable 

A system of key performance indicators 
(KPIs) is used to monitor and control 
the performance of suppliers and 
procurement staff, eliminate losses 
sustained in procurement processes, 
and achieve savings for the Group.  
The KPIs, which are approved on an 
annual basis, include the following:
 ● Availability
 ● Cost-efficiency
 ● Cost avoidance
 ● Inventory turnover
 ● On-time deliveries

The Procurement team holds regular 
meetings with internal customers 
to identify the main supply issues. 
The Procurement staff also conducts 
regular satisfaction surveys of major 
internal customers in order to improve 
the quality of the procurement process. 
Survey results are collected and 
carefully analysed, and measures are 
then developed to further improve  
the team’s work.

SUPPLY CHAIN  
RESPONSIBILITY

As a large consumer of a number  
of goods and services, the Group  
is able to have a positive impact  
on reducing social, environmental,  
and production risks within the  
supply chain.

The Group seeks to cooperate  
with suppliers of goods and contractors 
that demonstrate a commitment  
to sustainability principles. In addition, 
in accordance with NLMK Group’s 
Procurement Policy, the Group  
is committed to purchasing goods  
and services that have as few  
negative impacts on society and  
the environment as possible during  
their lifecycle. 

development strategy

 ● Assessing occupational health and safety risks among contractors
 ● Ensuring that suppliers of goods used in the production of automotive body sheet 
hold certificates of compliance under ISO 9001:2015, IАTF 16949, and ISO 45001 

 ● Assessing contractors that provide waste collection services
 ● Reducing waste through reusing and recycling, as well as through the utilization  

of recycled and recovered products and materials

SELECTION AND QUALIFICATION OF SUPPLIERS  
AND CONTRACTORS

An efficient and reliable supply chain is essential to the stable operation of all divisions 
within the Group. The Group carefully selects and screens suppliers and contractors, 
and sets high requirements for its counterparties in terms of complying with 
deadlines, OTIF (on-time in-full) requirements, and quality standards for the goods and 
materials it supplies. All suppliers and contractors that work at hazardous production 
facilities at NLMK companies have to be qualified. 

In order to work with NLMK Group, it is imperative that suppliers and contractors 
operate ethically and conscientiously. In this regard, all potential counterparties are 
invited to familiarize themselves with the Supplier Code of Conduct at the screening 
stage and to confirm that they agree with its provisions.

The Group also expects its suppliers and contractors to comply strictly with all 
applicable legal requirements, including environmental protection and occupational 
health and safety regulations. The check-list developed by the Group for assessing 
potential contractors reflects state requirements for occupational safety and 
environmental protection, and suppliers and contractors operating at the Group’s 
sites must meet these requirements.

EVALUATING AND AUDITING SUPPLIERS  
AND CONTRACTORS

The Group annually assesses the quality, efficiency, and reliability of all current 
suppliers and contractors. It also monitors compliance with delivery deadlines 
throughout the year. If the Group has a negative experience with a supplier, 
the Group’s Conciliation Committee may decide to discontinue its partnership with 
the supplier or to impose restrictive measures. The procurement team can also work 
with the supplier to create a development plan aimed at improving the supplier’s 
performance.

Conciliation Committee

The Conciliation Committee is NLMK Group’s collegial body that was set up 
to review situations involving inappropriate, unethical, or unreliable supplier 
behaviour. Some of the issues that fall within the remit of the committee  
include violations of the pricing policy, occupational health and safety rules,  
and environmental protection requirements.

CONCILIATION COMMITTEE

Indicator

Number of suppliers on which partnership restrictions were imposed

Number of suppliers with which NLMK Group decided to temporarily suspend relations

Number of suppliers with which NLMK Group decided to terminate relations

2019

2020

18

6

11

15

7

13

Conducting systematic audits of 
suppliers and contractors that provide 
services to the Group’s Russian 
companies is another important tool for 
managing partnerships with contractors. 
When drawing up annual audit plans,  
the Group’s specialists take into account 
critical areas that affect the continuity 
and safety of production and product 
quality, including, among others:
 ● The contractor’s technical equipment
 ● Staff competence levels 
 ● Quality control measures
 ● Maintenance and repairs
 ● Compliance with legal requirements 
for occupational health and safety  
and environmental protection, etc.

When auditing suppliers of goods, the Group pays special attention to the counterparty’s 
compliance with obligatory standards in matters concerning occupational safety and 
reducing its environmental footprint. Audits of contractors include a more detailed 
review of issues related to safe working conditions and compliance with environmental 
regulations. 

When auditing contractors that conduct hazardous work or large volumes of 
work, or companies that are the Group’s main contractors, the Group considers 
the following aspects in detail:
 ● Availability of equipment
 ● Provision of human resources
 ● Provision of technical resources
 ● Issues related to occupational health and environmental protection, etc.

Audits of contractors involve checking that the necessary documents are in place  
and authentic. They also include directly monitoring the work of contractor 
employees and ensuring that they meet the requirements stipulated on the screening 
check-list. The contractor’s status is determined and a report is prepared on 
the basis of the audit results. The report should specify the measures needed to 
eliminate and prevent the reoccurrence of any of the issues that have been identified. 
In 2020, the number of audits declined, due to the pandemic. 

NUMBER OF SUPPLIER AND CONTRACTOR AUDITS CONDUCTED

Subject of audit

Goods and materials

Services

2016

22

1

2017

35

21

2018

39

17

2019

34

24

2020

13

20

For more detailed information about supplier and contractor environmental assessments,  
see the Supplier Environmental Assessment section of the Environmental Protection chapter.

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Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

2020 PERFORMANCE

The Company continued to actively 
improve its procurement processes and 
centralize the procurement of basic 
materials, raw materials, and services. 
NLMK Regulations on Category Strategy 
Development were updated.

and equipment were diversified. The procurement team and internal customers’  
efforts helped to avoid the negative impact of the pandemic on production 
performance.

There were no significant changes in the Group’s supply chain structure during 2020  
 GRI 102-10 .

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,  
suppliers of basic raw materials  

In the reporting year, procurement from local suppliers for the Russian companies 
accounted for 82%, or RUB 126 billion  GRI 204-1 .

PROCUREMENT FROM  
SUPPLIERS OF GOODS  
AND MATERIALS  
BY SUPPLIER COUNTRY,  
% OF TOTAL  GRI 102-9 

0.9

0.8

1.9

3.2

11.0

RUB 153.4 
billion

DATA ON PROCUREMENT VOLUME BY KEY PROCUREMENT  
CATEGORY IN 2020, RUB M (VAT EXCLUDED)  GRI 102-9 

Goods and materials category

Coal and coal concentrates

Provision of repairs and maintenance

Raw materials (without the main raw material categories)

Refractory products

Process equipment

Provision of technology

82.3

Coatings

Russia (2,0771)
Europe (139)
Kazakhstan (8)
Ukraine (17)
China (11)
Other countries (39)

Iron ore (concentrate, pellets, and ore)

Fuel and lubricants

Rolls

Coke and chemical raw materials, fluxes

Information technologies

Electrode coke

Other

Total

Procurement volume

45,523

34,413

24,742

15,145

8,352

5,980

5,677

4,016

2,016

2,002

1,448

1,406

1,349

1,356

153,425

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

The Group intends to continue  
with its work to further automate 
procurement processes and to 
centralize the procurement of global 
categories of materials and raw 
materials. More specifically, the Group’s 
plans include:
 ● Expanding the practice of signing 

purchase orders in electronic form
 ● Automating purchase order drafting
 ● Expanding the practice of using 

supplier catalogues and managing 
them, which will enable internal 
customers to choose the necessary 
items themselves

 ● Enhancing the efficiency of interaction 

with suppliers through the digital 
assistant functionality

 ● Expanding SAP Ariba Sourcing functions 

to other categories of investment 
procurement

 ● Robotization of standard procurement 

procedures

1  Number of suppliers. 

Note: data on purchases of goods and materials from third parties for Russian companies. The amount does not include transporation and handling 
expenses and customs duties.

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANNUAL
REPORT    
2020

0

violations  
of human rights 
recorded during  
the reporting year

HUMAN RIGHTS

MAJOR THEMES
NON-DISCRIMINATION
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION  
AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
PROHIBITION OF CHILD LABOUR
PROHIBITION OF FORCED  
OR COMPULSORY LABOUR

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
NLMK Group presented its human rights management practices at 
the Respect for Human Rights as a Corporate Responsibility Indicator 
conference organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and 
Entrepreneurs and attended by representatives of the Office of the United 
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International 
Labour Organization, relevant ministries, and Russian and international 
companies.

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLES
 ● Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection  

of internationally proclaimed human rights.

 ● Principle 2: Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit  

in human rights abuses.

 ● Principle 4: Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms  

of forced and compulsory labour.

 ● Principle 5: Businesses should uphold the effective abolition  

of child labour.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

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Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

MANAGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

Respecting human rights is a key 
underlying principle in all of NLMK’s 
operations. In its activities, the Company 
does not tolerate human rights 
violations related to discrimination 
based on gender, age, religion, race, 
ethnicity, physical traits, or identity, 
or any other form of discrimination. 
NLMK also devotes special attention 
to ensuring the right to freedom of 
association and collective bargaining, 
as well as to issues concerning child 
labour and forced or compulsory 
labour  GRI 407-1, GRI 408-1, GRI 409-1 .

Our corporate ethics dictate that we 
consistently adhere to the generally 
accepted principles and norms of 
international law, as well as applicable 
employment laws in all countries of 
the world, regardless of the business 
practices in those countries. In its 
activities, NLMK is governed by 
the provisions of the following 
documents:
 ● The International Bill of Human Rights
 ● The main conventions of 
the International Labour  
Organization (ILO Conventions)

 ● The UN Guiding Principles on Business 

and Human Rights

 ● The UN Global Compact
 ● Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN)
 ● The ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility
 ● The laws of the Russian Federation and other countries in which NLMK Group 

companies operate

Along with international norms, our human rights efforts are regulated by internal 
corporate documents: NLMK Group’s Corporate Ethics Code, Anti-Corruption Policy, 
and collective bargaining agreements. One important component in the Company’s 
approach to managing these issues is NLMK Group’s Human Rights Policy. The goal 
of the policy is to ensure that human rights are observed in the Group’s activities 
everywhere we operate.

NLMK’s efforts to protect human rights in all the regions where it operates are 
coordinated by the HR Department, covering 100% of the Company’s assets. 
If necessary, experts from other functional areas of the Company are invited 
to participate (in particular, the Occupational Health and Safety team) in order 
to safeguard its corporate interests and to manage risks. The Company’s senior 
management team is always involved in making important decisions  GRI 412-1 .

The Company shares its Human Rights Policy with stakeholders, including employees, 
subcontractors, and business partners  GRI 412-2 .

The Company welcomes information from all stakeholders about any activities 
that violate human rights. Employees, clients, suppliers, subcontractors, and other 
stakeholders can use any feedback channel, including in languages other than 
Russian, listed on the official NLMK website. 

In 2020, NLMK received no communications regarding human rights violations  
 GRI 102-17 .

INTEGRATING FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS PRINCIPLES  
INTO NLMK GROUP’S ACTIVITIES 

Fundamental principles

Areas of activity

Prohibition of forced labour  
and child labour

Prohibition of discrimination

NLMK Group only signs employment contracts with individuals that meet the minimum  
age requirements stipulated by prevailing legislation. The Company does not make  
use of child labour. The Company also forbids the use of forced labour, penal and military 
labour, slavery, and human trafficking. All employment at the Company is exclusively 
voluntary in nature.

Prohibition of discrimination  NLMK Group does not tolerate discrimination based on 
gender, religion, or any other grounds in its staff management activities, including hiring, 
and adheres to the same principles when determining wages.

For additional information, see the Our Employees section.

Respect for the right  
to a minimum wage

Ensuring decent working conditions, including competitive salaries, and providing both 
employees and retirees with a social benefits package are key priorities for NLMK Group.

Support for freedom of 
association and collective 
bargaining

Provision of safe working 
conditions

For additional information, see the Our Employees section.

NLMK Group fulfils all of the requirements set forth in collective agreements, and regularly 
engages with trade unions. The Company also ensures that conditions are in place  
to facilitate the creation of associations to represent the interests of NLMK employees 
by making corporate communications tools available and by supporting employee 
volunteering initiatives. 

For additional information, see the Our Employees, Stakeholder Dialogue, and Corporate 
Communications sections.

In organizing production, the Company prioritizes the health and safety of its employees 
above all. The Company’s management team monitors and reduces risks associated with 
hazardous working conditions, increasing safety levels at the production sites of every 
NLMK company from year to year. The Company is continuously improving its approaches 
to environmental policy and energy management, with a view to reducing the negative 
impacts of production on the environment and on the health of stakeholders.

For additional information, see the Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental 
Protection sections.

Respect for the rights  
of indigenous peoples 

NLMK Group estimates that there are no indigenous populations in the regions where its 
companies operate  GRI 411-1 .

NLMK’S HUMAN RIGHTS PRINCIPLES

HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTING CHANNELS

Prohibition  
of forced labour

Prohibition  
of discrimination

Prohibition  
of child labour 

Respect  
for the right  
to a minimum  
wage

Provision  
of safe working 
conditions

Feedback forms  
on the NLMK 
website 

Telephone  
hotline 

Anonymous  
text messages

Anonymous  
email

NLMK intranet 
portal

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

All messages and complaints are 
recorded in an aggregated database 
accessible via the NLMK corporate 
portal. Each specific instance is examined 
separately to ensure that decisions 
are made on a case-by-case basis. 
The individual that sends a complaint 
always receives a written response with 
an explanation, except in the case of 
anonymous messages.

During the reporting period NLMK  
recorded no cases of discrimination 
related to human rights violations  
 GRI 406-1 , including violations of the right 
to freedom of association and collective 
bargaining or violations concerning 
child labour and forced or compulsory 
labour  GRI 407-1, GRI 408-1, GRI 409-1 .

NLMK is committed to improving its 
competency in human rights, drawing  
on best practices from colleagues  
in various industries and international 
organizations to introduce responsible, 
fair business principles into our 
corporate culture.

In 2020, the Company continued its 
efforts to integrate human rights 
provisions into the standard terms 

of business with contractors. This implies that suppliers and counterparties must 
confirm that they adhere to and respect the human rights principles envisaged  
by the Russian law and international legal instruments at the time of signing 
a contract. Obligatory compliance is required for the following human rights:
 ● Support for freedom of association
 ● The right to liberty and security of person
 ● Respect for the prohibition of child labour and forced labour, and the prohibition 

of discrimination

 ● Ensuring the occupational health and safety of workers, as well as safe working 

conditions

 ● Respect for the right to a minimum wage

In 2020, NLMK Group shared its human rights management experience  
at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs conference dedicated  
to the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and  
the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations. Conference participants included 
representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for  
Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Labour Organization, relevant ministries,  
and Russian and international companies. The companies invited to present  
their practices at the conference all have extensive experience in managing human 
rights issues and initiatives.

NLMK participates in organizations that support and foster human rights principles. 
For example, the Company is a member of the Committee on Corporate Social 
Responsibility and Demographic Policies of the Russian Union of Industrialists and 
Entrepreneurs.

In 2019, NLMK Group joined the UN Global Compact, an international United Nations 
initiative to promote sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.  
By signing the Compact, NLMK Group reaffirmed its commitment to the 10 fundamental 
principles of the initiative, including those related to human rights.

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

Given the international nature of 
NLMK’s operations and stakeholders’ 
interest in protecting human rights,  
the Company will continue to enhance 
its approach to human rights issues. 

In future reporting periods we plan  
to perform a number of activities 
aimed at implementing the provisions 
of NLMK’s Human Rights Policy in 
the operations of all Group companies, 
including those outside Russia. Another 
task will be to develop methodological 
approaches to assessing how well our 
activities comply with the principles 
set out in NLMK’s Human Rights 
Policy. Company representatives will 
also continue to play an active role 
in important events dedicated to 
protecting human rights.

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR EMPLOYEES

MAJOR THEMES
SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS
DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGERIAL SKILLS
ENGAGEMENT OF EMPLOYEES IN CONTINUOUS 
IMPROVEMENT
DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● Developing online trainings, introducing new professional training formats
 ● Working on an international project to create competency maps and 

assessment tools for key steelmaking professions

 ● Internships for students of basic educational institutions
 ● The annual HeadHunter1 rating of employers in Russia placed NLMK among 

the Top 5 Russian employers in the Production category

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLES
 ● Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and  

the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.

 ● Principle 6: Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination  

in respect of employment and occupation.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1  The largest Russian online recruitment company operating in Russia, Belarus,  

Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.

RUB 1,383

million
invested in staff training  
and development

3.2

million man-hours
of training 

6%

voluntary  
staff turnover rate  
at NLMK Group

Women account for 

48%

of management  
and administrative staff

Women account for 

25%

of the total number  
of employees

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR APPROACH  
TO STAFF MANAGEMENT

Our key personnel management goals 
are to attract and retain the best 
professionals in their field and engage 
them in the process of continuous 
improvement. To do this, NLMK Group 
needs to remain as progressive as 
possible and attentive to safety, talent, 
and innovation.

NLMK has built up a mechanism that allows employees and their representatives  
to address top management directly. For instance, during the live call-in with 
the NLMK Group CEO any employee can ask a question to the head of the Company. 
We also foster a culture of ‘open doors’ and availability of management to address 
operational issues during strategy sessions or live call-in events for functional 
areas. In addition, NLMK has an internal corporate portal, where employees can 
communicate with management of any level. The discussions on the portal are 
grouped by theme.

In order to achieve these goals, 
the Group continued to work actively in 
the following key areas of the HR policy:
 ● Labour productivity improvement
 ● Development of managerial skills
 ● Development of employee initiative  
and engagement in the process  
of continuous improvement
 ● Development of the vocational  

training system

 ● Creating a system for independent 
employee qualification assessment

 ● Developing practices of mentorship and 
knowledge sharing on production sites

 ● Working with young specialists and 

high-potential employees

 ● Further integration of international 

companies into the Group's HR 
processes

 ● Digitalization and implementation 
of best practices in HR processes
 ● Increasing the share of employees 

transferred to open positions within 
the Group

 ● Developing internship programmes  
and increasing intern hiring rates

 ● Increasing employer brand 

attractiveness

One of the main focus areas of 
the HR strategy is increasing labour 
productivity. We achieve this goal by 
optimizing business processes, ensuring 
the automation and mechanization  
of labour, and developing processes  
that utilize the expertise of contractors 
and suppliers.

A positive driver is the NLMK Production 
System project, which focuses on 
increasing the Group's efficiency 
through continuous improvement,  
loss reduction, occupational safety, 
respect for each employee, and  
the development of a regular dialogue 
between management and employees.

In order to maintain the high qualification level of employees we are constantly 
enhancing training at NLMK and ensuring its continuity. For many professions, 
employees are required to take a range of courses within a certain timeframe, 
including courses on the rules of access to equipment and operation of networks, 
communications, or complex units. If an employee does not complete the course 
in time, they may be not allowed to proceed with their work in line with regulatory 
requirements and for safety reasons. That is why we have transferred professional 
course training and training aimed at receiving and prolonging OHS permits into 
a remote format as a matter of priority.

NLMK opens a multidisciplinary qualification assessment centre in Lipetsk

NLMK Lipetsk, the flagship site of NLMK Group, has opened the first 
multidisciplinary qualification assessment centre for the manufacturing  
industry in Russia. The centre will independently assess whether the skills  
and abilities of NLMK Group employees conform to the requirements  
of uniform professional standards. 

Irina Efimchuk, NLMK Group Training and Development Director, said:  
“In line with the changes in federal legislation, all Russian sites are obliged  
to gradually shift to an independent assessment of their employees’ 
ualifications. NLMK Group actively participates in the activities of industry 
councils on professional qualifications, updating professional standards, 
and developing the methodological foundations of independent qualification 
assessments. By opening this centre we are facilitating the formation of 
a base for the state policy of qualification development in the regions where 
the Company operates.”

Another notable area of activity is NLMK’s collaboration with basic educational 
institutions, with internship programmes organized for students. Internships are 
an integral part of their studies. They enable students to develop practical skills  
in an actual production environment, gain experience with operating equipment and 
production processes, and learn to work in a team. Approximately 2,000 students 
from various educational institutions intern at NLMK Lipetsk every year. 2020 was  
an exceptional year due to the pandemic: in-person internships were suspended 
in March, and students were no longer allowed on site. Certain elements of 
the internships were taken online. In addition, we help our basic educational 
institutions in the development of the educational and material base, improve 
the qualifications of the teaching staff. We also support the process of involving 
experts from NLMK departments in training students.

We are committed to applying a unified approach to managing human resources 
issues, including at our international companies. NLMK Group’s Human Resources 
Department is responsible for all staff-related issues, including hiring and retaining 

NLMK GROUP STAFF1 BREAKDOWN BY SEGMENT IN 2020,  
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE  GRI 102-8 

2.1 1.1

2.8

7.0

8.3

51.9

30.6

NLMK Russia Flat Products
NLMK Russia Long Products
Mining division
Service and auxilliary companies
NLMK Europe
NLMK USA

NLMK GROUP STAFF1 BREAKDOWN BY REGION  
IN 2020, %  GRI 102-8 

2.2 0.4

4.1

93.2

Russia
EU
USA
India, Turkey, Switzerland

NLMK GROUP STAFF2 BREAKDOWN BY CONTRACT TYPE  
IN 2020, %  GRI 102-8 

3

qualified employees, building systems 
to reward and motivate them, and 
developing their professional skills.

In its HR activities, NLMK Group is guided 
by the following internal and external 
documents:
 ● The Constitution and Labour Code  

of the Russian Federation

 ● International declarations, including 
the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights and the ILO Declaration on 
Fundamental Principles and Rights  
at Work

 ● NLMK Group’s Corporate Ethics Code
 ● Collective bargaining agreements
 ● General corporate regulations  

on staff management

OUR EMPLOYEES

NLMK Group’s average 2020 headcount 
was 51,900 people, of whom 48,500 
(93.4%) were employed at the Company’s 
Russian companies, 2,100 (4.0%)  
at European divisions, 0,200 (0.4%)  
at international auxiliary companies,  
and 1,100 (2.2%) in the United States  
 GRI 102-7 .

Approximately 97% of NLMK Group 
employees work under permanent 
contracts, and around 3% under  
fixed-term contracts.

The nature of the steel industry  
is such that the proportion of men  
in NLMK Group (75%) outweighs  
the proportion of women (25%) –  
this has always been the case  
historically. As for administration  
and management staff, women account 
for 48% of all specialists, including  
50% of specialists and office employees, 
22% of office managers and 4%  
of shop-floor (revenue-generative) 
managers (the total share of female 
managers is 15%). 

97

Permanent contract
Fixed-term contract

NLMK GROUP2 STAFF BREAKDOWN BY GENDER AND  
CATEGORY IN 2020, %  GRI 102-8, GRI 405-1 

Shop-floor (revenue-generative) managers

Office managers

Specialists and office employees

50

96

4

22

50

22

25

78

78

75

The average work experience of men 
and women at NLMK companies is at  
a comparable level.

Shop-floor employees

Total NLMK Group

NLMK employees represent various  
age groups, which attests to the lack  
of age discrimination in NLMK Group’s  
HR policy. In 2020, 23% of all employees 
were aged over 50, 61% were aged 
between 30 and 50, and 16% were  
under 30. Of those in management 
positions (shop-floor managers and 

Men
Women

Administrative and management staff

1  Average headcount.
2  Headcount as of 31.12.2020.

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

office managers), 75% were aged 
between 30 and 50, and 21% were  
aged over 50.

AVERAGE WORK EXPERIENCE  
OF NLMK GROUP EMPLOYEES1 IN 2020:  
BREAKDOWN BY GENDER, YEARS

NLMK is committed to supporting 
gender diversity within its governance 
bodies in a way that takes into account 
the specific nature of the Company’s 
activities. In 2020, NLMK Group’s Board 
of Directors and Management Board 
were made up of both men and women.

LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY

NLMK pays special attention to increasing 
labour productivity. This strategic goal 
encourages the implementation of 
effective technological and management 
processes within the Group, as well as 
the use of advanced technical solutions.

In 2020 labour productivity across  
NLMK Group stood at 305 tonnes of 
steel per person, growing year-on-year 
as major investment projects were 
implemented to upgrade the sites’ main 
equipment. The changes vs. previous 
years are due to preliminary hiring and 
personnel training in anticipation of 
higher output in 2021 (+2 million tonnes  
at the Lipetsk site vs. 2020).

Men

Women

NLMK GROUP1 STAFF BREAKDOWN  
BY GENDER AND CATEGORY  
IN 2020, %  GRI 102-8, GRI 405-1 

Shop-floor (revenue-generative) managers

Office managers

Specialists and office employees

Shop-floor employees

Total NLMK Group

Under 30 
30–50 years
Over 50

11

12

76

75

63

59

61

20

20

21

23

23

4

5

16

18

16

Administrative and management staff

GENDER COMPOSITION  
OF NLMK GROUP GOVERNANCE BODIES  
AS OF 31.12.2020, PEOPLE  GRI 405-1 

TURNOVER

Management Board

Board of Directors

In 2020, voluntary staff turnover 
decreased year-on-year to 6.0%.

Men
Women

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTARY  
TURNOVER3 AT NLMK GROUP  
 GRI 401-1 

6.8

7.0

6.9

LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY,  
TONNES OF STEEL/PERSON

482

502

503

6.0

308

321

328

4992

461

4972

448

3222

297

3252

305

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

8

8

1

1

NLMK Group
Lipetsk site

STRATEGIC PLANNING  
FOR LABOUR RESOURCES

In strategic planning for labour resources, 
our key objectives are to determine 
the qualitative and quantitative employee 
composition to ensure site productivity 
and to formulate a request for in-demand 
specialists on the 3–5 year horizon 
for student admissions to specialized 
educational institutions. 

Resource planning work in 2020 was 
carried out jointly with the Lipetsk 
region community of employers –  
the RUIE1 HR Club. The project ‘HR Club 
of Lipetsk Region employers as a tool 
for managing the regional qualifications 
market’ received special recognition 
for its contribution to the region’s 
development in the HR project of 
the year category of the Crystal 
Pyramid 2020 prize. Every year  
this competition identifies the leaders  
in human capital management.

STAFF RECRUITMENT

The Company understands 
the importance of attracting and 
retaining experienced and highly 
qualified staff in its efforts  
to achieve a strong performance.

When assessing applicants, the Company 
does not tolerate discrimination based 
on gender, age, or any other factors. 
NLMK always complies with applicable 
legal requirements, particularly with 
respect to the employment of women  
in hazardous roles. For example, Russian 
legislation2 places restrictions on 
the use of female labour in hazardous 
conditions and in situations involving  
the movement of heavy weights.  
The Company adheres strictly to these 
requirements.

In its efforts to provide social support  
to the communities of the regions  
where it operates, NLMK pays attention  
to employing representatives of low-
income and socially vulnerable groups. 

Training programmes developed specifically for this purpose facilitate  
the successful adaptation of employees with low social status and no formal  
education or qualification.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, NLMK Group focused on digitalizing recruitment 
processes:
 ● Video interview technologies based on the Sever.AI platform were introduced  

to assess candidates and interns.

 ● A SAP SF solution for worker selection was further rolled out.
 ● The Group’s careers page, NLMK.team, runs on the SAP RMK module, enabling 

prompt publication of 100% of vacancies for external users.

A project to provide the service of filling in a questionnaire to become a candidate 
for employment at NLMK Lipetsk was implemented jointly with the Authorized 
Multifunctional Centre for the Provision of State and Municipal Services. 
The questionnaires are directly uploaded into the recruitment database so that 
relevant candidates can be considered.

In 2020, 3,755 people (7% of the average headcount) joined the NLMK team, 25% of them 
women. 94% were hired by the Group’s Russian companies  GRI 401-1 .

NLMK GROUP NEW HIRES  
BY REGION IN 2020,  
PEOPLE

NLMK GROUP NEW HIRES  
BY AGE GROUP IN 2020,  
PEOPLE

50 123 40

222

1,556

Under 30
30–50 years
Over 50

3,542

1,977

Russia
USA
EU
India, Turkey, 
Switzerland

The Company created more than 600 jobs in 2020, the majority of which were linked 
to the launch of investment projects.

NLMK is committed to boosting employment in the regions where it operates, thus  
we prioritize local applicants during the recruitment process.

NLMK implements targeted employment projects for people with disabilities. In 2020 
the share of people with disabilities employed by the Company was 0.1% (29 people)  
of the total headcount. Due to the specific nature of roles in the steel industry, which 
involve working in hazardous conditions, recruitment specialists pay particular care 
and attention to the employment of people with disabilities. The Company complies 
with all respective legal requirements in this area.

1  Headcount as of 31.12.2020.
2  Labour productivity without reduction of output at the Lipetsk site associated with large-scale BF and BOF repairs.
3  Voluntary staff turnover occurs when employees leave their positions voluntarily, including retirement. Involuntary staff turnover occurs when employees 

leave their positions due to termination or death. In 2020, involuntary turnover stood at 4.4%, with overall turnover at 10.3%.

1  Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. 
2  Labour Code of the Russian Federation dd. 30 December 2001 No. 197-FZ (11 October 2018 edition), Art. 253: Labour restrictions for female employees.

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

CAREER GUIDANCE

NLMK is launching and implementing  
new projects aimed at actively engaging  
young people into the Company’s 
operations. We introduce schoolchildren 
and their parents to world of professions 
(Kids Inc.), offer a mobile application 
where users can build up their future 
carer track in the Company (NLMK 
Navigator), and inform schoolchildren 
and students about the influence  
of the Lipetsk plant on the city’s 
environmental situation (Green City).

PERSONNEL TRAINING 
IN SPECIALIZED 
EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS

In order to increase the share of highly 
qualified specialists on the labour 
market, NLMK collaborates with over 
30 specialized educational institutions 
(vocational schools and universities)  
in the regions where it operates.  
Our future employees receive in-depth 
training in competencies that are relevant 
for NLMK, do internships and traineeships 
at NLMK Group sites, implement 
actual work tasks, and participate 
in the Company’s projects. In addition 
to their degrees and specializations, 
graduates are trained for up to three 
professions, enabling their swift 
professional and career growth at NLMK.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
AND RECOGNITION 
PROGRAMMES

In 2020, three NLMK Group sites –  
NLMK Lipetsk, Altai-Koks, and the Mining 
Division – simultaneously held 
the Foreman of the Year corporate 
competition. Over 160 employees 
competed in the event. The objective  
was to form a progressive team  
of middle managers and boost 
motivation to develop managerial and 
professional competencies.

PLANS FOR 2021 AND THE MEDIUM TERM

NLMK’s personnel training and development programmes represent a full cycle 
of continuous professional and personal improvement: from vocational social projects 
to niche educational solutions for specific production purposes.

The Company plans to further roll out its best practices of career guidance using 
modern digital technologies, with production experts personally participating 
in teaching schoolchildren and students of specialized educational institutions.

In order to address the need for engineering talent and specialists with higher 
education, in 2021 we will launch a new internship programme for university students 
and graduates, the Steel Opportunities Academy. Candidates from over 600 leading 
specialized universities in Russia will be considered for internship positions, and 
the selected applicants will be gradually immersed in NLMK’s corporate culture and 
production system.

In 2021 the Company will continue to implement a number of projects aimed  
at personnel development and increasing labour productivity. We will prioritize 
supporting talents, developing a mentorship system, and building individual career 
routes under NLMK’s updated unified employer brand.

The Company intends to further develop acknowledgement and recognition 
programmes for young specialists, foremen, and mentors. We will also expand  
the system of financial and non-financial incentives for production personnel  
involved in occupational safety programmes and production system improvements.

ASSESSMENT AND REMUNERATION

NLMK Group employees receive 
competitive remuneration.  
We annually collect and analyse  
data on industry peers and in 
the regions where the Group operates 
as well as the purchasing power  
of remuneration by personnel  
categories and individual professions  
to assess the competitiveness  
of our remuneration.

Financial remuneration for employees 
consists of a basic salary and a bonus. 
The NLMK remuneration system 
has been developed in accordance 
with best Russian and international 
practices. The Company also takes 
the views of trade union organizations 
into account when drafting local 
remuneration regulations.

Remuneration management in the Group 
is based on employee performance 
evaluation. For many years, NLMK Group 
was using a ‘flat’ approach to annual 
indexation: all employees’ salaries were 
increased by the same percentage. 
The current approach introduced in 
2019 enables the Company to further 
encourage the best of the best, while 
maintaining a competitive level of salary 
indexation for all employees. This way 
a more dynamic increase in the salaries 
of high-performing employees will help 
strengthen the principles of external 
competitiveness and the internal equity 
of remuneration across the Group’s 
companies, while unlocking the potential 
and stimulating the professional activity 
of each employee. In 2020 this system 
covered 96% of NLMK Group’s Russian 
company employees.

The average salary of NLMK Group 
employees at Russian companies  
in 2020 was RUB 70,900, a 10% 
increase versus 2019. The increase 
was significantly ahead of the inflation 
rate due to additional measures to 
support employees during the COVID-19 
pandemic. At our international 

companies, remuneration is determined based on collective bargaining agreements 
and employment legislation, and also includes annual income indexation.

AVERAGE EMPLOYEE SALARY AT NLMK GROUP’S RUSSIAN  
COMPANIES, RUB '000  GRI 202-1 

52.0

9%

56.6

7%

60.8

6%

64.5

10%

70.9

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

The Company does not tolerate any form of discrimination on grounds of gender  
or other factors when implementing or further developing its remuneration system.

In the reporting year, in order to further expand the disclosure of the remuneration 
structure, NLMK Group provides data on the average monthly salary of entry-level 
employees by gender and category. The methodology for calculating this indicator 
implies taking into account the actual payroll by initial grades in each of the categories 
of workers.

AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY OF ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYEES  
BY GENDER AND CATEGORY AT RUSSIAN NLMK GROUP COMPANIES  
IN 2020, RUB ‘000  GRI 202-1 

Women

Men

73,402

46,901

42,617

73,266

50,648

48,884

Management
Engineers and technicians
Blue collars

The Company also continues to develop an end-to-end management system that  
aims to achieve the Group’s goals (Management by Objectives (MBO)). More than  
9,500 employees receive their annual bonus based on their achievement of key 
performance indicators (KPIs). All employee KPIs are linked in a single cascade  
of the Group’s strategic goals down to functional area goals.

Bonuses for employees not covered by the MBO system are also determined monthly 
based on the performance indicators of their unit or position.

In 2020, 47,497 employees of NLMK Group, or 91% of all staff, underwent an official 
performance assessment  GRI 404-3 .

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

FEATURES OF  
THE МВО SYSTEM

 ● Objectives are discussed and agreed 

between the manager and their 
employees

 ● Constructive two-way feedback 

throughout the year and at the end  
of the year

 ● Employee development plan that 
allows them to improve their 
managerial and professional skills  
year by year

An active dialogue between managers 
and their teams allows each employee 
to better understand their goals and 
achieve better results. According  
to the MBO system, annual performance 
is assessed using a scale of ambition: 
when a KPI is exceeded, the bonus also 
increases. The maximum possible bonus 
for a KPI can reach 150%.

PROPORTION OF NLMK GROUP EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVED  
A REGULAR PERFORMANCE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT REVIEW,  
BY CATEGORY AND GENDER AS OF 31.12.2020,  
PERSONS  GRI 404-3 

By category

Of total white collars1

Of total blue collars

By gender

Of total men

Of total women

86%

14,026
15

93%

38,342

63

90%

39,028

91%

13,340

Each employee who has expressed a desire or accepted an offer for relocation 
receives an appropriate relocation package and the opportunity to move his/her 
whole family to a new and interesting place of work.

360/180 APPRAISAL

By 2022, NLMK Group plans to extend 
the MBO system to cover 100%  
of employees at all levels, including  
blue collars.

Since 2018, the Company has been using the 360/180 personnel appraisal system.  
It involves surveying employees using the 360-degree method on SAP Success 
Factors. The responses are strictly anonymous and are presented as average data. 
The appraisal results are strictly confidential.

Incentive systems for individual groups 
of employees are also being developed: 
incentives for participating in project 
activities, incentives for initiatives, 
etc. All of them are coherently linked 
to the main remuneration systems, 
complement each other, and expand  
the opportunities for salary growth.

The criteria used in the 360-degree surveys mainly stem from NLMK’s model  
of corporate and managerial competencies, as well as the Leader Standard Work 
practice. Subject to approval by their direct superior, any employee may request 
this competency model survey and include respondents at their own discretion: 
their manager, colleagues, subordinates, clients, and partners. Before the survey, 
employees undergo specialized training. The appraisal results are used to determine 
development goals and may not serve as grounds for HR decisions (termination, 
bonus reduction, etc.).

NLMK has a policy of personnel relocation. 
The Company is interested in allowing 
employees to move freely to new jobs  
in any regions where we operate, 
thereby enhancing opportunities for 
career and professional growth.

In 2020, 360-degree surveys were carried out for over 800 employees.

Starting with 2021, we plan to regularly implement 360/180 appraisals based on 
the competency model for all managers, specialists, and office employees. In addition, 
employees with an individual development plan will have access to an annual survey  
on the competencies they are developing.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Employee proficiency and qualifications 
are an important factor in ensuring 
sustainable development at NLMK.  
A key objective for the Company  
vis-à-vis staff development and training 
is to ensure that employees receive  
the necessary level of training  
in vocational knowledge and skills  
so that they can perform at a high level. 
The Company also makes active use  
of the Leaders Train Leaders approach 
(see the NLMK Corporate University 
section for more information).

NLMK invests considerable resources  
in the training and development of its 
employees. Investment allocated to staff 
training and development measures  
in 2020 amounted to RUB 1,383 million, 
including 1,112 million alocated to 
construction of Corporate University 
campus in Lipetsk, RUB 249 million  
to training measures and RUB 22 million 
to in-house coaches payroll. 

In 2020, the NLMK employees received  
a total of 3,173,228 man-hours  
of training (including OHS training),  
with 169,542 of them delivered  
to NLMK Group’s Russian companies  
via the Corporate University. Divided  
by NLMK Group’s average headcount, 
this implies 61.1 hours of training 
per person (65.1 hours divided by 
the average headcount of the Russian 
companies). NLMK Lipetsk employees 
also provide trainings on the Company's 
professional competencies to students 
of basic educational institutions.  
These trainings promote the development 
of the mentors themselves as well as 
potential employees for NLMK Group. 
Therefore, in the reporting year,  
an additional 706,658 man-hours were 
included in the total amount.

The overall time of OHS training in 2020 was 661,379 hours (594,877 hours  
of centralized training and 66,502 hours in the Corporate University)  GRI 404-1 .

The staff training and development process features a number of stages, which 
include not only educational programmes for the Company employees, but also 
work with potential future employees, such as students from secondary and higher 
educational institutions.

INVESTMENT IN NLMK GROUP’S COMPANIES, INCLUDING  
FOREIGN ASSETS, BY TYPE OF TRAINING PROGRAMME  
IN 2020  GRI 404-2 

2%

18%

RUB 1,383
million

Corporate University campus construction
Training measures, incl. foreign assets
In-house coaches payroll

80%

1  White collars are managers, specialists, and office employees

126

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

COOPERATION 
WITH EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS

As part of its cooperation with 
schools and supplementary education 
centres, the Company implements 
a broad spectrum of informational and 
educational initiatives. These include 
organizing tours of production sites  
and encouraging students to study 
technical disciplines via corporate  
career guidance projects (steelmaking 
camps, School of Professional Skills,  
NLMK Class, the Steelmaking for 
the Curious community, the NLMK Career 
Guidance group on the VKontakte social 
network, thematic meetings dedicated to 
the Company, training school students 
for blue-collar jobs).

NLMK works closely with vocational 
training and higher education institutions, 
proposing changes to course content 
to reflect NLMK practices, organizing 
various types of work experience  
at the Group’s sites, operating 
scholarship programmes for students, 
and conducting additional and dual 
education programmes.

The Company also organizes NLMK 
ReSolve, a corporate case championship 
for students of higher educational 
institutions and vocational schools aged 
16 to 30. In 2019/2020: 
 ● Over 100 student participated  

in the championship

 ● 23 technological development  
projects were proposed when 
resolving the cases

 ● 35 NLMK experts acted as team 
mentors and experts evaluating  
the case solutions

 ● 20 best students were invited to do  
an internship/receive a promotion
 ● 3 finalists joined the Russian national 
team at Metal Cup, the international 
steelmaking case championship 

Effective cooperation with schools  
as well as secondary and higher 
education institutions not only allows 
NLMK to attract young professionals 
who are already familiar with the working  
life at NLMK, but also to ensure that  
the Company is perceived as an attractive 
employer in the regions where it 
operates.

STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AT NLMK

5.  Mentoring, corporate programmes for the development  

of high-potential employees and the talent pool

4.  Upskilling, corporate competitions and programmes to identify  

high-potential employees and the best professionals

3.  Orientation  

and internships

3.  Vocational training  
and orientation

RECRUITMENT

2.  Work with students from 
secondary and higher 
educational institutions

1.  Career guidance  
for schoolchildren

LABOUR MARKET

VOCATIONAL TRAINING  
 GRI 404-2 

Vocational training and onboarding programmes for NLMK employees, including 
specialized ones, play a significant role in the training process given the nature 
of the Company’s operations. These programmes include training that qualifies 
employees to access production sites and work with equipment as well as specialist 
vocational training. Training takes place at NLMK sites or in collaboration with  
certified third-party training institutions. For example, NLMK Lipetsk has an educational 
centre that holds state-licensed training sessions in over 300 occupations.

NLMK devotes considerable attention to other areas of training that are valuable for 
business. During the reporting period the Company proceeded with its corporate 
programme of English language training. In-house mentors participate in creating 
specialized glossaries for the programmes so that the participants can learn 
industry-specific vocabulary and terms.

NLMK CORPORATE 
UNIVERSITY  
 GRI 404-2 

NLMK Corporate University (CU) 
was established in 2016 in order to 
introduce a unified management training 
system throughout the Group.

The mission of the Corporate 
University is to make the Company 
more competitive by helping to develop 
the leadership skills of managers 
and talent pool candidates, and to 
develop the Company’s ecosystem 
(representatives of client, partner,  
and contractor companies).

Objectives:

 ● Development of NLMK managers  

at all levels, enhancing the management 
system by instilling unified working 
standards, uncovering managers’ 
leadership potential, developing 
managerial competencies

 ● Identifying and rolling out NLMK’s 

best practices, including via leaders’ 
participation in training course 
development

 ● Supporting organizational changes 
and strategic projects by creating  
an integrated information environment 
and focusing on cooperation and 
teamwork

 ● Developing NLMK Group’s leadership 
capital, creating an environment  
of engaging leadership

The target audience  
for the NLMK Corporate 
University consists of more than  
6,300 Company executives and talent 
pool candidates for senior positions.

NLMK Corporate University allows 
managers of any level to take at least 
four training courses every year.  
The recommended percentage of 
managerial training for one employee  
is approximately 5% of their working 
hours annually.

On average, employees receive  
20.7 hours of training.

Corporate University training  
solutions are also used at the Group’s 
international companies.

The Leaders Train Leaders approach

Senior and middle managers and key experts at the Group assist in the development 
of the Corporate University programmes, and they also deliver training as in-house 
coaches for at least four days every year. Company vice presidents act as trainers  
at programmes for foremen and line managers in various functional areas.  
The Leaders Train Leaders approach is the foundation of training in the Corporate 
University, enabling:
 ● An engaging environment and unity of meanings via sharing personal experiences
 ● An exchange of views, which ensures an effective two-way feedback channel  

during training

 ● Managers’ development with the help of in-house coaches via repeated 

internalization of programme contents

All in-house coaches undergo special training and receive support from professional 
trainers in order to ensure that educational programmes are taught according to high 
quality standards. Over 300 employees act as the Company’s in-house coaches.

The Leaders Train Leaders approach is developed by scaling up a single methodology 
of in-house coach training and development both within the Company and in its 
ecosystem (partner companies).

Educational solutions (programmes)

All Corporate University educational solutions represent a synthesis of the knowledge 
and best practices of NLMK Group’s experts and cutting-edge international 
developments.

At present the Corporate University portfolio includes 150 educational solutions  
that are differentiated into the following streams:
 ● Value strategy and management
 ● Production system
 ● People and teams
 ● Innovation and change
 ● Level-specific programmes 
 ● Onboarding (as the Company CEO)
 ● Development of in-house coaches
 ● Training solutions for the NLMK ecosystem

Level-specific programmes are a new stream that was added to the Corporate 
University portfolio of educational solutions in 2020. A level-specific programme  
is a product that develops knowledge and skills and forms certain attitudes  
of the target audience at one management level (usually the talent pool) in order  
to achieve business goals in the most efficient way. In 2020, the Corporate University 
ran three level-specific programmes.

One of them is DREAM 100 executive development leadership  
(for the top management’s talent pool), a joint development  
with INSEAD Business School. The first stream of DREAM 100, which 
gathered 49 participants, took place in February–November 2020.

The programme is aimed at training top managers with developed management 
competencies who are able to implement the Company's ambitious strategy  
in a changing environment.

During the training, DREAM 100 participants work in project teams and solve 
specific business tasks in various areas: sales and customer service, cyber capital, 
sustainability, ecosystem approach, etc.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

The development programme  
for the talent pool of mid-level  
managers has been in place at NLMK 
since 2018, while in the framework  
of the Corporate University it is being 
implemented since 2020. The third 
stream took place in September–
December 2020.

The programme is aimed at preparing 
managers for their transition  
to the next management level with 
the expansion of their area of 
responsibility and the scale of tasks.

School of Foremen  
(for newly appointed foremen and  
the blue-collar talent pool for foreman 
positions) was developed in 2020.  
The pilot project was tested in 
July–November 2020. Cascade training 
started in September 2020 and will  
be carried out until 2022.

The programme is aimed at developing 
managerial competencies among 
foremen/talent pool members  
to improve their efficiency in solving 
work tasks, develop their people and 
process management skills, and teach 
them to interact within their team  
and related departments.

NLMK Corporate University 
campus

In 2017, construction of the NLMK 
Corporate University building began 
at the site of the former Metallurgists’ 
Palace of Culture in Lipetsk.

NUMBER OF TRAINING  
HOURS BY YEAR FOR ALL 
CORPORATE UNIVERSITY 
EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS  
(NLMK GROUP RUSSIAN 
COMPANIES)1

169,542

145,828

71,828

NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL 
SOLUTIONS, UNITS

45

28

9,460

2

3

2017

2018

2019

2020

2017

2018

2019

2020

NUMBER OF CORPORATE 
UNIVERSITY DISTANCE  
LEARNING COURSES, UNITS 

NUMBER OF SESSIONS  
AND CONFERENCES HELD,  
UNITS

143

35

28

25

27

36

12

2017

2018

2019

2020

2018

2019

2020

In Q3 2021, the NLMK Corporate University campus, a modern multifunctional cultural 
and business centre, unique for the region, is scheduled to open. It is worth noting 
that the building preserved its original appearance.

The campus will house a conference hall that can seat 492 attendees, with gradually 
rising seating to ensure audience sightlines. The transformed hall system is used: 
within 10–15 minutes, the telescopic folding grandstand allows you to completely 

free up the space of the stalls. Multi-
level sector seats for the audience, 
in the form of an amphitheater, can be 
organized on the stage. Glassroom,  
a physical space in the form of 
a classroom with a video wall, on which 
the audience screens are broadcast, 
will be installed on the stage.

The exhibition space will be organized  
on the first floor of the atrium.  
On the third and fourth floors, there  
will be two zones for design thinking 
sessions. On the fourth floor, under 
the glass dome, special rooms where 
people can unleash their creativity  
will be set up.

The area around the campus will also 
be landscaped, and NLMK will build 
a children's playground, as the Mayor's 
office requested. A beautiful fountain 
with a century-old history, well-known  
in Lipetsk, is already functioning.

Investments in the project will total  
close to RUB 4 billion.

Participation in the work of 
international communities

Since 2019, the Corporate University  
has been a member of several 
international communities, including 
the European Foundation for 
Management Development (EFMD), 
the Executive Corporate Learning  
Forum (ECLF), and the Education  
and Training Committee (ETCO)  
of steeluniversity and worldsteel.

management vacancies. It also aims to further the career aspirations of NLMK 
employees and ensure the continuity of knowledge and technology.

In 2020, the Talent Pool process was automated. The Company continues to hold 
regular career committees for the positions of foremen and heads of sections.  
The talent pool management indicators are automated and available for analysis  
to the Company's managers.

The stewardship over the talent pool is assigned to the heads of structural 
subdivisions. Managers are being trained in managerial skills evaluation for this 
purpose. In 2020, 83% of positions covered by the programme were filled from  
the talent pool.

CAREER PLANNING

In 2020, the Company continued to develop its standard career routes system.

The initiative aims to encourage employees to proactively develop the necessary 
competencies as they advance in their career within the Company, to provide 
guidance on possible growth directions, to support them in gaining interdisciplinary 
experience, and to increase the attractiveness of geographical mobility between 
the Group companies.

Career planning offers access to career opportunities not only to the talent pool  
members, but also to a wider range of employees interested in developing 
competencies, gaining new experience and knowledge. This process enabled planning 
career routes to adjacent fields and functions, to the positions of specialists and 
experts: an expert career gets a new impetus, which is important for preserving 
the Company's production culture.

In 2020, a pilot project in the Logistics function was successfully implemented. Close  
to 220 managers, specialists, and blue-collar workers selected and discussed with 
their immediate superiors possible options for developing their careers, including 
changing their specialization, functionality, and geography.

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT  
 GRI 404-2 

PREPARING  
A TALENT POOL

Ongoing work to develop the Company’s 
talent pool aims to identify, train, 
and promote members of the pool. 
The fundamental goal of these efforts 
is to foster in-house talent to fill 

NLMK provides opportunities for career advancement within the Group and offers 
free re-skilling programmes. Should an employee wish to switch specialization,  
we are ready to provide full support in acquiring new skills. The Company offers 
employees the opportunity to proactively apply for company-reimbursed training  
in order to gain new qualifications and progress in their careers at NLMK.

Former NLMK employees that are highly skilled and who possess unique  
experience have the opportunity to act as expert consultants, passing on their 
knowledge and experience to new Company employees on the basis of a paid  
services agreement.

1  The stats do not include sessions and conferences

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SOCIAL POLICY 

Collective bargaining agreements govern 
the following social support measures:
 ● Medical services for employees  

SOCIAL SPENDING FOR NLMK GROUP EMPLOYEES 
(INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES)  
IN 2020 BY AREA  GRI 201-1 

NLMK Group’s internal social policy is 
a key tool for supporting a high level 
of employee engagement and also 
helps create additional labour market 
advantages. Since 2017, social policy 
issues have fallen within the remit  
of the Human Resources functional area, 
which helps to develop social projects 
more effectively and maintain a sharper 
focus on employee needs. Company’s 
internal social policy aims to support 
NLMK’s HR strategy and sustainable 
development goals.

In 2020, NLMK Group continued to 
implement its Social Strategy through 
2022, approved by the Management 
Board in 2019. The Social Strategy  
is a set of programmes that promote 
the long-term sustainability of business 
taking into account the interests  
of both the Company and its employees. 
The Strategy’s key objectives include:
 ● Achieving a high and well-balanced 

level of staff satisfaction and 
involvement

 ● Reducing losses (time, health, personal 

efficiency)

 ● Higher competitiveness/attractiveness 

of jobs/employer

The Social Strategy sets out KPIs,  
the structure of social programmes,  
and key aspects of such key 
programmes as Medical Services, 
Catering, My Family, Sports, and 
Communities.

SOCIAL SUPPORT

NLMK Group has developed social 
support measures for its employees 
that aim to boost their motivation  
and satisfaction levels. We are 
committed to constantly improving 
the content of these measures  
as well as the conditions under which 
they are provided.

NLMK Group’s total social investments in 2020, including NLMK Group’s international 
assets, stood at RUB 8.4 billion, of which RUB 7.4 billion was allocated to social support 
programmes for NLMK Group employees. In 2019, the Company switched to disclosing 
social investments for the entire Group, including its international companies.

NLMK GROUP’S SOCIAL SPENDING, RUB BN  GRI 201-1 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

4.79

1.03

2.61

0.00

8.43

2.26

0.56

2.87

0.01

2.44

0.29

2.29

0.39

2.15

0.85

2.11

1.19

5.70

2.73

2.68

3.00

3.30

Social support expenses for the Group's Russian employees
Investment in local community development in Russia1
Social support expenses for the Group's international employees 
Investment in foregn local community development1

and their children, including as part 
of the voluntary medical insurance 
system

 ● Provision of hot meals on-site
 ● One-off financial aid for employees 
and their family members as well as 
a system of compensation payments
 ● Organizing mass cultural and sporting 

events and creative competitions
 ● Provision of transport to and from 

the workplace

 ● Private pension programme  

(at some NLMK Group companies)
 ● Comprehensive support programme 

for retired employees

Along with this, NLMK provides additional 
benefits for employees that aim to 
support their health, improve working 
conditions, and care for their family 
members, and also organizes various 
corporate events.

The Company also has PRIMEZONE.
NLMK, a corporate loyalty programme 
developed for employees at major 
Russian companies. As part of 
the programme, employees have access 
to discounts and special offers from 
retailers in the cities where the Group 
has companies: Lipetsk, Stary Oskol,  
and Moscow.

NLMK Group employees can participate 
in private pension programmes at 
companies with additional contributions 
made by the Company, thus securing 
additional pension payments once 
they become eligible to receive their 
pension  GRI 404-2 .

NLMK Group’s Employee Health 
Programme was also further enhanced 
in 2020 with a special focus on activities 
that would ensure employee safety  

6% 2%

7%

7%

RUB 7.41
billion

42%

36%

Medicine and wellness
Material assistance and payments to employees 
not involved in production
Co-financing for private pension programmes
Meals
Transport to workplace
Sport and cultural activities

amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic  GRI 403-6 . The voluntary health 
insurance programme was extended to provide free medicines for the treatment  
of COVID-19 and pneumonia, telemedicine, psychological support services, and 
additional examinations after COVID-19. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcal 
infection was also organized with a target coverage of 75% of the staff  
(see the COVID-19 response section for more details).

NLMK GROUP’S EMPLOYEE HEALTH PROGRAMME 

WORKING  
CONDITIONS

 ● Healthy eating 
 ●
 ● Optimizing work-life balance

Improving social conditions at work

 ● Health training sessions
 ● Promotion of healthy lifestyle in corporate 

LIFESTYLE

media services

 ● Getting employees involved in sport  
and healthy living (gamification)

MEDICINE

 ●

 ●

Improving the effectiveness of occupational 
medicine
Improving the voluntary medical insurance 
system

 ● Developing preventative and wellness 

programmes

1  For more information about investment in the development of local communities, please see the Development of Local Communities section.

1 

Including RUB 4.8 bn expenses at Russian assets.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

NLMK Group’s Employee Health 
Programme was highlighted by  
a number of key projects in 2020.

1. Accident and critical  
illness insurance  
 GRI 403-6, GRI 403-10 

consumed less than the normal amount of fruit before completing the programme, 
while after the programme their share reduced to less than 5%.

 ● A total of 40% of the smoking participants quit smoking: 13% of the participants 

smoked before the programme, and only 7% after the programme.

 ● The average number of steps per day taken by participants increased by 25% 

during the project. 

 ● As much as 6% of participants improved their body mass index scores.

In 2019, the Company introduced an 
accident and critical illness insurance. 
The new privilege was introduced as 
part of its Social Strategy of NLMK 
Group and aims to provide financial 
support to employees and their families 
in difficult health-related situations.  
This insurance covers all accidents, 
including ones that occurred outside  
of production facilities or office 
premises, for example at home or  
on vacation, as well as critical illnesses 
that are initially identified during  
the insurance coverage period (including 
oncological diseases). Moreover,  
the programme envisages additional 
payments for accidents at work 
and occupational illnesses that are 
diagnosed for the first time, and long-
term disability. In 2020, in the context  
of the pandemic, the largest number  
of appeals were received from 
employees with temporary disability 
(more than 21 days), the amount of 
payments exceeded RUB 53 million with  
a total of 1,649 payments made.

2. Healthy Choice project 
 GRI 403-6, GRI 403-10 

The goal of the Healthy Choice 
project is to involve NLMK Group 
employees in championing a healthy 
lifestyle, developing a healthy lifestyle 
culture within the Company, and 
promoting global best practices to 
this end. During the first stage of 
the project, the Company implemented 
a set of activities that aim to increase 
awareness among the members of 
the Healthy Choice project as regards 
their health status and build a conscious 
attitude towards health management. 
The project focuses on the principles of 
cascading and the gradual involvement 
of new members. In 2020, 600 
participants of different age groups 
took part in the project, with more  
than 90% of them being blue-collars.  
In 2020, the results of the first cycle  
of the project were summed up:
 ● More than 70% of the participants 
managed to stick to a healthy diet: 
for example, 81% of the participants 

At the end of the year, the project participants received awards in the form of healthy 
lifestyle paraphernalia.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus infection, the second cycle of the Healthy Choice 
project was postponed to 2021. Nevertheless, the participants continued to actively 
promote healthy lifestyle among their colleagues, participated in online competitions 
and training sessions, and continued yoga and volleyball classes initiated before 
the outbreak of the pandemic in compliance with anti-epidemic norms.

The Healthy Choice project received the highest award of the People Investor 2020 
corporate projects competition in the Healthy Lifestyle category among the best 
practices in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

RESULTS OF THE HEALTHY CHOICE PROJECT

Signs of depression 
disappeared in a third 
of the project participants

More than 70% 
of participants began 
to follow a healthier diet

As much as 6% 
of participants improved 
their body mass index scores

The participants' risk 
of developing chronic 
diseases decreased 
by more than a third

46% of smokers 
quit smoking during 
the project

The average number 
of steps per day 
taken by participants 
increased by 25% 
during the project

3. Transferring corporate medical assets to professional management  
 GRI 403-6, GRI 403-10 

The Company continued working on reorganizing its medical assets and transferring 
them to responsible management in 2020. This measure aims to achieve planned 
employee health indicators, enhance the quality of medical service, and also establish 
a single cost and analytics center.

Medical services for NLMK Group employees are provided by three infirmaries and  
29 medical centers. Employees are also able to undergo treatment at health resorts 
and take wellness holiday time, either at NLMK’s resorts and spas or in other regions 
of the country  GRI 403-3 .

In 2019, a multi-disciplinary medical 
holding company that specializes in 
emergency medicine evaluation and 
optimization conducted a medical risk 
assessment for the Group and optimized 
the response sequences for the medical 
personnel. In 2020, based on the results 
of the assessment, the Company 
approved its Regulations on Emergency 
Medical Care and Medical Evacuation, 
trained paramedics in line with modern 
standards of emergency medical care  
at the hospital stage, prepared a manual  
on first aid, developed medical 
procedures, and organized training 
sessions. The company health centres 
are equipped with modern medical 
resuscitation equipment  GRI 403-3 .

Healthy eating

The Company develops and promotes 
a culture of healthy eating at NLMK 
sites. In 2020, as part of its strategic 
partnership with the best federal 
catering companies, NLMK implemented 
the following projects:
 ● Improving the quality of meals  

and service at corporate canteens 
and cafeterias

 ● Lunch box deliveries to remote 
production sites and offices
 ● Providing a subsidy to partially 
reimburse the cost of meals for 
employees

The implementation of the NLMK 
Employee Health Programme  
in 2018–2020 achieved the following:
 ● Modifying the voluntary medical 

insurance programme to focus more 
on early diagnosis and prevention
 ● Introducing a new type of insurance 
for accidents and critical illnesses

 ● Handing over management  

of corporate medical assets to 
an external provider

 ● Conceptualization and launch of 

the Health School awareness-raising 
project

 ● Conceptualization and launch of 

the first cycle of the Healthy Choice 
project, which aims to promote 
a conscious attitude to health

NLMK Eats!

As part of its Social Strategy NLMK Group has launched a new corporate 
nutrition programme titled “NLMK Eats! Delicious, healthy, accessible.”  
The programme will gradually cover all the Group companies during  
2020–2021.

What changed for employees?
 ● Food became cheaper: the employer reimburses part of the cost of lunch 

when an employee pays at the canteen. 

 ● Food became more accessible: an employee can order food to be delivered  

to their workplace.

 ● Paying for food became more convenient: an employee can one-touch pay 

with their pass.

PULSE OF NLMK CORPORATE SURVEY

In 2019–2020, our corporate Pulse of NLMK survey covered over 20,000 employees, 
or close to 74% of the full-time headcount at the Group’s Russian sites. The survey 
identified the strengths of the Group’s companies as well as areas for growth.  
In addition to the survey itself the cultural diagnostics cycle includes the analysis  
of survey results and permanent cultural councils developing and implementing 
activities in areas for growth as well as improving employee communication.  
The Pulse of NLMK survey will be conducted annually as part of a continuous cultural 
diagnostics cycle.

The Company carries out an additional detailed survey on staff satisfaction with 
social programmes every three years, with the last one in 2018. The next survey is 
scheduled for 2021.

TRADE UNIONS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 
AGREEMENTS

As part of its HR policy, the Company fully complies with the requirements set forth 
in collective bargaining agreements and holds regular meetings with representatives 
from trade unions. Collective bargaining agreements are in force at all the Group’s 
companies, including at our international companies. As of 2020, collective bargaining 
agreements covered 100% of employees at NLMK Group’s Russian companies.

In 2020, a series of collective negotiations was held with the shop-floor trade union 
organizations of NLMK Group’s companies and steps were taken to harmonize basic 
benefits provided under collective bargaining agreements.

The main focus of this effort was to provide equal social support to all NLMK Group's 
employees.

134

135

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY  
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS, %   GRI 102-41 

NLMK Group region

Russia

EU1

USA 1

2016

100

90

n/a

2017

100

89

n/a

2018

100

88

72

2019

100

88

71

2020

100

87

72

VOLUNTEERING

Three key areas for developing 
corporate volunteering were identified 
for all the Group’s companies:
 ● The environment: including taking 

action to clean up and improve NLMK 
sites and environmentally sensitive 
areas, eco-quests for children and 
young people, and eco-expeditions
 ● Healthy living: including events to 

promote a healthy lifestyle, involving 
local people in regions where NLMK 
operates in accessible sporting events, 
furnishing sports facilities

 ● Social assistance: assistance for 

vulnerable groups, including helping 
children, retirees, and people with 
disabilities, and providing urgent 
assistance for community needs 
without employer involvement

At the end of 2020, about 1,500 
NLMK employees took part in 
the volunteer movement. The spread 
of the coronavirus infection made 
it impossible to hold mass volunteer 
events, but the Company's volunteers 
played an active role in the We are  
Here for You corporate campaign  
to support veterans and retired 
employees (see the Developing local 
communities section for more details), 
and were able to put their own ideas  
into practice in the first corporate 
competition of volunteer projects.

In December 2020, the Bonfire at 
the Volunteer Lighthouse meeting was 
held in an online format for the top 40 
corporate volunteers at all the Group 
companies.

Volunteer project competition

The first competition of NLMK Group's volunteer projects was held in 2020, with 
social assistance as its primary focus. The volunteers offered a wide variety of 
projects for the competition: social English lessons, improvement of recreation 
areas for the elderly, assistance to special needs children, veterans, people with 
disabilities, organization of charity fairs, and much more. Since the competition 
was held at a difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors of the projects 
reflected the risks associated with changes in the epidemiological situation. 
Following the competition, 19 winners received cash prizes of up to RUB 100,000 
for the implementation of their volunteer project.

VOLNA educational volunteer accelerator

In 2020, at the VOLNA educational accelerator, NLMK Group's corporate 
volunteers improved their knowledge and skills in the field of volunteerism 
and shaped ideas for new social initiatives with the support of YouSocial 
project partner. Depending on their own competence and awareness of 
their role, employees could choose the sessions of interest to attend. During 
the accelerator, there were meetings and dialogues with representatives  
of local administration, as well as team design workshops on social initiatives 
ideation. When the epidemiological situation changed, VOLNA went online.  
NLMK employees participated in a two-week online campus and received expert 
advice on their initiatives, which they subsequently submitted to the volunteer 
project competition.

NLMK's corporate volunteering programme was recognized  
at the federal level

A team of Lipetsk volunteers led by NLMK employee Maria Trukhacheva won  
the Best Eco Volunteer Team national competition in the Eco Youth category.  
For two years the activists participated in the Ecopatrol project to clean up  
the banks of the Voronezh River from garbage.

1  % of the actual headcount number. In accordance with national legislation, several employee categories do not have the right to a collective agreement, 

while for the other categories the coverage is 100%

CORPORATE SPORT

NLMK Group provides its employees 
with all the conditions they need to 
engage in sports. The Group supports 
onsite sports halls and centres at 
its companies, maintains corporate 
sports facilities, hires external halls 
and facilities for team sports, provides 
employees with subscriptions to 
swimming pools and gyms, and arranges 
employee discounts at fitness centres. 
Corporate contests and tournaments 
are held on a regular basis. Around 
400 employees pass Russia’s Ready for 
Labour and Defence physical fitness test 
every year.

Amid the spread of the new coronavirus 
infection, the First Open Multidiscipline 
Competition was held online in 2020.  

It was held in four disciplines among men, and four disciplines among women, in three 
age categories. A total of 60 athletes from main NLMK Group companies participated 
in the competition.

NLMK teams also took part in BlitzBusinessChess-2020, the first online chess 
tournament among companies.

Nordic walking – a new way of living

NLMK Group companies took part in the Nordic Walking – a new way of 
living national project from July to October 2020. Close to 100 employees of 
the Group, including about 50 at the Lipetsk site, actively trained and prepared  
for competition. As part of the project, NLMK Group fielded seven teams  
in four home regions: the Lipetsk, Kaluga, and Sverdlovsk Regions and  
the Altai Territory. NLMK Group teams came in first in these regions. According 
to the results of the national individual competition among men, NLMK Group 
employees won 1st, 4th, and 10th places (of 157 total). Thanks to the project, 
NLMK Group companies have formed teams of caring and active employees who 
are ready to promote Nordic walking and engage their colleagues in this sport.

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

Human resources management is a key 
component that impacts NLMK Group's 
development. NLMK Group is developing 
an action plan to increase awareness 
of the NLMK brand in the external and 
internal labour market and increase 
the share of employees filling internal 
vacancies. An important area of 
NLMK’s HR policy is the development 
of corporate programmes to 
attract students for internships and 
the creation of standard career routes  
and educational programmes for HiPos, 
high potential employees.

As far as personnel assessment  
and remuneration is concerned,  
the Company plans to further  
develop the MBO system to ensure  

100% coverage of employees at all management levels by 2022. Incentive systems  
will also continue to evolve: incentives will be provided for participation in projects,  
for submitting initiatives, and more.

NLMK Corporate University plans to create more than 20 new educational solutions 
with a focus on personalization and global trends in training and development,  
as well as to expand the range of programmes for managers of various levels and  
the talent pool. Work will be carried out to improve the online learning environment:  
a virtual campus will be opened, personal account functionality will be added 
for internal coaches, etc. In 2021, NLMK Corporate University is expected to get 
internationally recognized CLIP accreditation, which is testament to the quality  
of corporate training. In addition, the opening of the Corporate University campus, 
the most modern and innovative space in the region, will take place.

In terms of its social policy, in 2021 the Company plans to develop and carry out 
a programme for updating medical equipment and introducing a unified medical 
information system, carry out the second cycle of the Healthy Choice project, 
continue the VOLNA educational volunteer accelerator, and hold the second 
competition of volunteer projects. 

136

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OCCUPATIONAL 
HEALTH  
AND SAFETY

MAJOR THEME
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● Severe injury rate decreased by 30%
 ● NLMK Group approved its fire safety, industrial healthcare,  

and road safety strategies

 ● Injury prevention programmes for the top risks were developed
 ● A training programme on the 8 OHS tools was completed,  

with the courses adapted to remote format

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

$ 47.8

million
invested in the development  
of safe production

16

large-scale  
OHS projects 
curated by the Company’s  
Top 100 executives

5

comprehensive  
top risk  
programmes 
currently underway  
to prevent injuries

3

new IT services 
launched: 
Hazard Reporting, Safety  
Behavioural Dialogues,  
and Safety Contact

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

 OUR APPROACH TO MANAGING  
 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

 GRI 403-1 

Occupational safety is a top priority  
for NLMK Group. The Company strives 
for a zero injury rate at all its operations 
by continuously improving the OHS 
management system.

The Company’s approach is based  
on the following measures:
 ● Strict compliance with Russian and 

international OHS regulations
 ● Introduction of best practices
 ● A risk-based approach and control  

of key risk factors

 ● Maintaining and developing a safety 

culture among NLMK Group’s 
employees and contractors

OHS aspects are integral components  
of a large-scale project to develop  
the NLMK Production System.

To ensure a high level of safety  
at work, the Company is guided  
by a set of internal principles that  
shape the OHS culture throughout  
the Group.

In order to implement these principles, 
the Group is committed to:
 ● Identifying hazards and efficiently 
managing risks, thus controlling  
the level of risk to the life and health 
of the Group’s employees and 
contractors

 ● Constantly increasing the skills  

of managers, employees,  
and contractors in matters 
concerning occupational health  
and safety

 ● Complying with Russian and 

international OHS regulations
 ● Ensuring transparency of OHS 

indicators

OHS issues are regulated at all 
management levels within NLMK Group. 
The Group ensures that all NLMK 
employees and contractors are  
involved in measures to improve 
workplace safety. 

NLMK GROUP'S OHS PRINCIPLES

Our employees are our most highly prized asset.  
Protecting their lives and health is a priority  
in our production operations

Occupational health and safety are an integral part  
of our business and at the heart of our decisions to develop  
and improve business processes

All injuries, accidents, incidents, and occupational illnesses  
can and must be prevented

Safe operations are the responsibility  
of every employee 

safety. He determines the Company’s OHS development strategy and approves 
the fundamental document, the Integrated Management System Policy  
(see Sustainability management section for more).

One of the Policy’s objectives is to ensure efficient operations without accidents, 
emergencies, and injuries. The Company strives to attain this objective by 
introducing best OHS practices and by continuously developing and promoting  
a production culture among NLMK Group employees and contractors.  
NLMK Group management recognizes its responsibility for ensure safe and 
favourable working conditions and protect the life and health of its employees 
and contractors. NLMK Group plans its economic activities based on the results 
of regular and objective risk analysis of environmental risks. The Company’s 
management regularly discusses OHS matters with employee representatives  
and labour unions. Structural unit employees can submit proposals related  
to safety, safe working methods, and the measures required to improve labour 
conditions through their OHS representatives.

The Company’s Management Board is updated on a monthly basis on the status  
of the OHS Strategy, OHS projects, and the results of occupational accident 
investigations. These reports make it possible to analyse the performance  
of the OHS management system and develop next steps to improve it. In addition,  
the Management Board reviews the achievement of OHS KPIs.

The CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board) plays a key role in regulating 
the Group’s approach to operational 

These KPIs are included in the annual assessment system for managers at all levels 
and are taken into consideration when promoting candidates to management 
positions.

The Occupational Health and Safety 
Department manages OHS issues  
at all the Group’s companies, including 
international ones. Each of the Group's 
companies has an OHS team. Dedicated 
occupational safety teams operate in 
the shops of the largest companies. 
A dedicated project office operates 
within the Department to develop and 
maintain the NLMK Group contractor 
safety management system. A separate 
unit works on contractor engagement at 
major reconstruction and development 
investment projects. All participants in 
the OHS management structure, including 
international companies, collaborate to 
ensure that a unified approach is adopted 
to improving safety at all NLMK companies. 
Requirements for compliance with NLMK 
Group’s OHS principles are identical for 
Company employees and contractors. 

The list of corporate documents 
also includes:
 ● OHS risk management regulations
 ● Fire safety regulations
 ● Regulations on machine enclosures
 ● Road safety regulations
 ● Regulations governing the safe 
operation of lifting equipment

 ● Contractor management 

regulations

A factor analysis of incidents at NLMK Group’s Russian companies over 2018–2020  
was completed in the reporting period. It encompassed the following areas:
 ● Work-related injuries across NLMK Group, functional areas,  

and production sites

 ● Fires and fire safety incidents
 ● Industrial safety incidents
 ● Road traffic incidents
 ● Industrial healthcare

The main objectives of the exercise were to identify problem areas with the highest 
injury rate and to conduct an analysis of the root causes of the incidents. The results 
of the analysis also formed the basis of the corrective measures for 2021 aimed at 
reducing OHS risks.

OHS INVESTMENTS

In order to achieve the objectives that have been set in a timely and high-quality 
manner within the framework of the OHS Strategy, the Company invests in this 
sphere annually. In 2020, OHS expenses amounted to $47.8 m.

BREAKDOWN OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND  
SAFETY INVESTMENTS IN 2020, % 

15.8

4.8

1.0 0.3
1.3

2.5

2.7

5.3

47.8
$ m

Personal protective equipment
Maintenance  programme
Industrial safety
Repair of sanitary facilities
Fire safety
Improving workplace conditions
Risk management
Healthy meals
OHS training
Other

 ● Regulations governing working  

5.3

8.7

at height

 ● Regulations on the use of safety 

behavioural dialogues

EFFECTIVENESS  
OF OHS EFFORTS

Since 2018, our main focus has been  
on developing a culture of safety  
at NLMK. Particular attention has been 
paid to improving the level of safe 
behaviour: internal and external  
training sessions have been conducted 
for Group employees and contractors.

The Company has established 
the following strategic objectives  
in matters concerning OHS:
 ● Zero fatalities involving employees  

and contractors

 ● Achieving a total Lost Time Injury 
Frequency Rate (LTIFR) among 
employees and contractors of not 
over 0.5 by the end of 2022

 ● Raising awareness among staff  

vis-à-vis personal safety

Each NLMK Group company submits its planned measures and projects for OHS risk 
management to the Investment Committee for review. As part of the Maintenance 
and Major Repairs Programme, the Investment Committee decides on the allocation 
of funds for OHS projects. A detailed implementation schedule is prepared for 
each project, and a risk assessment is conducted. Maintenance and Major Repairs 
Programme projects are prioritized by assessing the risks of personnel injury and 
critical equipment malfunctioning.

In 2020, over $15 million was invested into projects to improve production safety 
(Russian and international companies) in the following areas:
 ● Occupational health and safety
 ● Risk management
 ● Fire safety
 ● Improving working conditions for employees

Renovation of sanitary and amenity facilities

In 2020, NLMK Group continued a renovation programme for sanitary  
facilities to increase the level of employee satisfaction with their working 
conditions. 

More than 110 facilities with a total area of more than 6,000 m2 were  
renovated at two production sites of the Group. Investment totalled  
RUB 380 million.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 
AND CERTIFICATION  
 GRI 403-8 

NLMK is committed to establishing 
an OHS management system that 
operates effectively and covers 100% 
of employees and contractors. As of 
late 2020, the number of employees 
covered by the OHS management 
system was 50,000, or almost 100% of 
the headcount. Furthermore, in 2020 
the Company achieved 100% coverage 
of contractor employees under the OHS 
management system.

The Company carries out certification 
of the OHS management system at 
individual enterprises. Initially, the sites 
were certified for compliance with 
OHSAS 18001:2007 requirements, 
with certificates still valid for NLMK 
Strasbourg (until 2021) and NLMK 
DanSteel (until 2021).

In 2018, a working group was set up to 
transform OHS management systems 
at sites and ensure ISO 45001:2018 
certification. NLMK Lipetsk and VIZ-Steel 
were certified in 2019, and NLMK Verona 
in 2020. More than 30,000 employees 
were covered by the OHS management 
system, which was certified by a third 
party.

OHS RISK ASSESSMENT  
 GRI 403-2, GRI 403-7 

NLMK Group applies a risk-based 
approach to OHS management. A full 
risk assessment of operations falling 
into the top-5 category (at the sites of 
the Production System’s deployment) 
was conducted: the Company assessed 
the risks for Top 5 operations and 
initiated an operation-by-operation 
risk assessment for all production 
operations. Currently, risks have 
been assessed for 80% of production 
operations.

The highest injury rate was observed 
in materialized risks of same-level falls 
(slips, trips, false steps). To reduce  
these risks, a programme was developed 
to systematically prevent such injuries, 
a steering committee was formed, 
and a working group was set up 
to introduce and implement measures  
to reduce injuries.

The most severe injuries occur as a result of falling from heights. In order to prevent 
them, a programme was developed to systematically reduce the risks related to 
working at heights, a steering committee was formed, and a working group was set 
up to introduce and implement measures to reduce injuries.

Industrial Medicine  
 GRI 403-9 

In November 2019, a new occupational health and medicine area was introduced. 

In 2020, Regulations on ensuring readiness for medical emergency response 
and medical evacuation were adopted, along with a first aid guide and medical 
algorithms. 

As part of the programme for initial response actions to prevent cardiovascular 
disease aggravations, all sites have been equipped with training mannequins  
and machines. A dedicated remote training course on CPR was organized and 
taken by over 5,000 people, and over 500 employees were trained in person.  
59 automatic external defibrillators were installed at 8 NLMK Group sites.

In order to continuously monitor the condition of employees with heart  
diseases in real time, NLMK Lipetsk Railway Transport Unit launched an ECG 
T-shirt pilot project.

In 2020, 24 electronic check-up system terminals were installed at 5 Group sites. 
The electronic check-up system reduces the length of pre-shift and pre-trip 
medical check-ups and allows for the analysis of employees’ health condition. 
In addition, a pilot project for issuing electronic trip tickets was launched 
at Stoilensky. Both projects are being implemented as part of the industrial 
healthcare development strategy.

Paramedics were trained in providing aid in case of various diseases and  
injuries at production sites. New equipment and workwear was purchased  
for the medical units, and training sessions were held. 

In the area of managing occupational hazards and diseases, constant  
use of personal protective equipment for the eyes became a requirement,  
and eye washing stations were installed. The results have been positive: 
significantly less patients have come to the medical units with cases of eye 
microdamage. 

A pilot project was launched at Altai-Koks to prevent occupational deafness. 
The launch included determining the risk group, developing individual treatment 
programmes, creating videos to raise awareness, organizing training, and 
defining the requirements for purchasing noise protection equipment.

STAFF TRAINING AND ENGAGEMENT  
 GRI 403-4, GRI 403-5 

The Group conducts all OHS training programmes prescribed by state regulations.  
NLMK also implements additional measures to bolster the safety culture at the Group 
and to improve employee engagement.

In order to ensure a systematic approach to organizing employee training,  
NLMK develops training plans for employees aimed at developing particular skills 
and boosting professional competencies. When organizing and conducting training 
sessions, NLMK particularly emphasizes the practical application of the obtained 
knowledge at dedicated practice grounds and visits to operating production sites.

Safety culture development: Leadership in OHS

The Company continued to deliver its ‘Safety Culture Development’ training 
programme in an online format. Additionally, in 2020 the second part of 
the programme was developed, entitled ‘Safety Culture Development 2.0: 
Leadership in OHS’. Five e-courses on safety tools were developed for 
the programme. The programme’s objective is to introduce OHS leadership 
tools to management and develop the skills of applying these tools in practice. 
The programme was launched in September 2020 for Top 100 executives.  
In 2021 it will be cascaded down to the next management levels.

NLMK Group elaborated development programmes for the personal protective 
equipment (PPE) management system:
 ● Vision protection: developing the culture of safety goggle use. As a result, 
there were 45% less lost time injuries compared to the previous period. 

 ● Comfortable safety footwear: individual shoe selection considering 

the working conditions, including shoes with anatomic insoles to reduce 
pressure on the spine.

 ● Hand protection: effective hand PPE selection considering work risks and  

the life cycle and cost of PPE

Electronic work permit project launched

In 2020 NLMK Lipetsk began implementing an electronic work permit project. 
The pilot project included handing out over 3,000 electronic work permits and 
training over 300 NLMK employees and over 100 contractor employees. 

Modules on highly hazardous works are currently being developed.  
In 2021 the electronic work permit system will be rolled out further across  
NLMK Group.

LOTO safety system

In 2020, the LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) system integration methodology for 
NLMK Group sites was developed and approved. LOTO is a hazardous energy 
management system to protect personnel and processes from unplanned 
start-up or energy supply during maintenance and repair of equipment and 
power grids. LOTO projects were implemented at 7 NLMK Group sites in 18 units. 
Investment in the projects exceeded RUB 42 million.

The system blocks all possible energy sources mechanically and minimizes 
risks during equipment maintenance. LOTO will be integrated at all potentially 
hazardous production areas.

Within five years, the project will be deployed in all production divisions of  
NLMK Group companies.

In 2020, 98% of OHS functional 
area employees took professional 
development courses. Employees were 
trained in two areas: managerial skills 
and command of OHS tools. Overall, 
employees took 19 different trainings 
and seminars in 2020.

In early 2020 NLMK’s OHS Director 
officially joined the Safety and Health  
Committee of the World Steel 
international association. He now 
participates in the committee’s  
meetings regularly. 

In addition, the Group’s representatives 
regularly take part in OHS conferences 
and seminars organized by various 
international and Russian organizations. 
NLMK representatives participated 
in the 24th Occupational Health and 
Safety 2020 international specialized 
exhibition, presenting best practices 
in safety culture development during 
the pandemic, OHS management 
leadership, and incident investigation.

As part of its activities, the Group seeks 
to integrate innovative technologies,  
not only into production processes,  
but also into other areas of its activities, 
including occupational health and safety. 
Theoretical OHS training is conducted 
using advanced training technologies, 
such as computer-equipped classrooms, 
simulators, virtual reality, and effective 
media materials.

NLMK’s OHS Director initiated  
the cooperation of Russian  
and international companies 
in the sphere of OHS. EVRAZ, 
Severstal, Metalloinvest, MMK, 
Rusal, Alrosa, Nornickel, Nordgold, 
and OMK have already joined 
the collaboration initiative. 
The first meeting of leading 
company OHS directors was held  
on 21st December 2020. Moving 
forward, such meetings will be held 
on a quarterly basis. In addition, 
continuous interaction is envisaged 
between specialists in certain OHS 
spheres: for instance, fire safety 
and working at heights. The main 
goal of this collaboration is sharing 
best practices in reducing injury 
rates and finding the most effective 
solutions.

142

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Transparent feedback, instant 
responses to messages, and  
the resolution of issues enable  
the Company to improve working 
conditions and prevent injuries.

In 2020, over 450 contractor and subcontractor organizations employing over 
25,000 people worked at NLMK Group sites. NLMK Group management understands its 
responsibility for providing safe working conditions and protecting the life and health 
of contractor employees. Special emphasis is placed on arranging and overseeing OHS 
matters when working with contractors.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH 
CONTRACTORS

Contractors that interact with NLMK 
are fully covered by the Group’s 
OHS standards. Information about 
contractors is taken into account when 
calculating incident statistics and setting 
targets, and also when planning OHS 
training and awareness activities. 

In 2019, the Group drafted and 
implemented an Agreement concerning 
occupational health, industrial and 
fire safety, work performance, 
environmental protection, internal 
security and access control procedures 
(the Agreement), which defines 
the division of responsibility between 
the contractors and NLMK, regulates 
incentives and penalties, and defines  
the rights and obligations of the parties. 
The Agreement is the first of its kind  
to provide contractors with a mechanism 
for financial incentives to work safely.

NLMK regularly assesses contractors 
that are involved in production at 
its enterprises for their compliance 
with OHS requirements according to 
a specially developed methodology. 
Based on the results of the evaluation, 
a rating is awarded that may affect 
whether the Group decides to continue 
working with the contractor in question. 
The Group provides tools for motivating 
contractor employees to comply with 
OHS rules.

Partnership lies at the heart  
of the Company’s strategic approach  
to working with contractors.  
If a contractor is exposed to certain  
OHS risks, the Company is willing to help 
improve the OHS system in order  
to maintain a working relationship  
with the contractor.

In order to minimize the risk of incidents, the contractor safety management  
system was fully revised in 2020. This included reconsidering the Company’s  
approach to counterparty qualification. The new system has an expanded list  
of qualification processes and requires that counterparties for low-value operations 
and subcontractors go through these processes. It also introduces expanded 
qualification requirements for the participants of high-risk projects. 

In the Company’s efforts to organize safe contractor operation, special attention 
is paid to managing the risks emerging during the performance of works. Analysis 
of violations and injuries has highlighted the following high-risk areas that currently 
require more thorough consideration and additional measures: work at height, hot 
works, handling, and works with electrical equipment. A set of priority programmes 
was developed for each of these risks.

In order to verify contractors’ compliance with the legislative and corporate OHS 
requirements and to develop measures for strategic contractor development, 
a comprehensive check procedure was introduced in 2020. In the course of this 
process an audit organization assesses contractor organizations in over 12 OHS 
areas using an assessment sheet with more than 270 questions. The assessment  
was implemented for five contractors. As a result, corrective action plans were 
formed to address any gaps and develop the contractors’ OHS systems. 

A dedicated system of financial and non-financial incentives has been developed 
to engage the leadership of contractor organizations in OHS management matters 
and to attain a high level of contractor safety in NLMK Group. In 2020, two non-
financial incentive programmes were implemented.

A Safety Week was held at all NLMK Group sites. The purpose of the event was 
to find places of possible slips, trips, and falls. Over 4,000 contractor employees 
were engaged in the process, and they detected over 3,700 hazards in five days.

ASSESSING THE MATURITY OF THE OHS SYSTEM

NLMK has implemented a unified approach to the internal evaluation of the OHS 
system. Each year, OHS team employees complete maturity assessment reports. 
This report is a tool that is used to assess the extent to which the OHS approaches 
that are in place at each company comply with corporate regulations. A quantitative 
assessment of the Group's compliance with each of the existing corporate regulations 
is compiled based on these reports. In the event of there being any inconsistencies, 
remedial measures are developed and changes are made to the current approach 
to OHS management. To improve the quality of OHS system assessments, the Group 
is working to establish an internal institution of OHS auditors.

EMERGENCY 
PREPAREDNESS  
AND INCIDENT  
REPORTING

NLMK prioritizes efforts to prevent and 
respond to emergencies. Each company 
has developed regulations on preventing 
and managing the consequences of 
both man-made and natural disasters. 
The schedule of planned emergency 
training sessions for 2020 included 
sessions on fires, gas leaks, acid/alkali 
spills, molten zinc leaks or spillages,  
as well as power outages.

In order to ensure prompt incident 
reporting, every site has a reporting 
algorithm, indicating key process 
participants and persons responsible 
for the timely identification of first- 
and second-level incidents, as well as 
reputational incidents, and for informing 
the management about such incidents. 
The incident reporting algorithm is 
presented at the introductory briefing  
at all sites and prominently displayed. 
In an effort to enable employees to 
contact the OHS team promptly, NLMK 
companies publish information sheets that 
provide the contact details of the persons 
responsible for overseeing such issues. 

According to the Regulations on 
identifying, recording, and investigating 
OHS incidents, all first-level and high-

potential second-level incidents, as well as potential reputational incidents should be 
immediately reported to the CEO. Incident alerts are sent out in order to promptly 
inform employees and contractors about first-level and high-potential second-level 
incidents and in order to prevent such incidents in similar production environments 
of other units or when working with similar equipment or processes. If a serious 
production-related incident is reported in other similar steelmaking companies, 
the OHS function drafts an information sheet and sends it out to production sites in 
order to raise awareness of the incident and take prompt action where applicable. 
The information sheet procedure is identical to the incident alert procedure. 

Incidents of all levels are subject to investigation, and corrective measures are taken 
to prevent such incidents and mitigate their consequences. The tools ensuring this 
process are Lessons Learned and the Action Plan. The head of the site is responsible 
for their implementation. 

Corrective measure implementation is checked during line walks, step-wise control, 
and targeted checks.

The heads of OHS teams at the Group’s companies conduct regular inspections  
during which any employee or contractor can ask a question or put forward  
a suggestion.

OHS HOTLINE

The OHS hotline launched in December 2019 continued its operation in 2020. 
Employees have had a positive response to the new OHS communication tool. During 
the reporting period, employees of different sites called the +7 (800) 600-04-74  
toll-free number and wrote emails to HSE@nlmk.com over 190 times to ask questions 
about OHS standards and requirements, labour conditions, working during 
the COVID-19 pandemic, and PPE provision, as well as to report concealed incidents 
and any detected breaches or hazards. The OHS team immediately conducted 
thorough investigations and staff members were given feedback.

The hotline is available 24/7 for all employees of the Group’s Russian operations, 
including contractors, former employees, and trade union representatives.

144

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

2020 PERFORMANCE

LTIFR stood at 1.25 in 2020:
 ● Most of the year-on-year growth was due to light injuries, with slips and same-level 
falls accounting for the absolute majority. The ratio of serious and light injuries was 
1:7 vs. 1:3 in 2019.

 ● The number of light injuries increased by 80%, while the serious injury rate (severe 

and group injuries, fatalities) went down by 20% year-on-year.

Having formed a complete base for injury analysis, the Company went on to implement 
new targeted programmes to reduce risks and introduce new OHS tools (Q1 2020).  
As a result, LTIFR went down consistently throughout the year (see the breakdown  
by quarters below).

Among contractors, LTIFR decreased by 30% due to a number of measures addressing 
the top risks as part of investment project implementation: training and knowledge 
assessments, targeted and comprehensive checks, technical solutions, and work 
planning.

NLMK GROUP’S LTIFR IN 2019–2020:  
BREAKDOWN BY QUARTERS

1.78

1.12

1.21

1.06

1.02

0.63

0.74

0.89

The Group also keeps records of all 
work-related injuries and measures  
the Total Recordable Injury Frequency 
Rate (TRIFR)1, which is calculated every 
month for each subsidiary and includes 
data on contractors. In 2020, TRIFR 
increased to 3.17 year-on-year due to  
an increase in the total number of 
registered injuries.

The number of fatalities decreased 
year-on-year, from 6 to 3. The Company 
deeply regrets these incidents that 
occurred to employees and contractors 
at its sites in Lipetsk, Zarinsk and Revda. 
The accidents were investigated to 
identify the root causes and re-evaluate 
the relevant risks. In order to avoid 
a recurrence of such cases in the future, 
the Company is focusing on the top 
risks and has also launched a project to 
improve the efficiency of work permit 
procedures, including an electronic work 
permit project. In addition, the Company 
is building a process for improving work 
with contractors.

TRIFR (RI) FOR NLMK GROUP EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS1  
 GRI 403-9 

5.88

3.97

3.58

5.23

3.50

3.22

2016

2017

Employees
Contractors
Employees and contractors

2.55
2.47

2.12

2018

2.43
2.42

2.37

2019

INJURY SEVERITY, NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS

85

10

2016

98

23

2017

77

12

2018

80

25

2019

Severe and group injuries, fatalities
Light injuries

3.66

3.17

2.01

2020

147

20

2020

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Q4 2019

Q1 2020

Q2 2020

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

INJURY RATES IN 2016–2020

NLMK Group (employees and contractors)

NLMK GROUP’S LTIFR  GRI 403-9 

2.05

1.12

0.97

1.06

0.77

0.69

1.22

0.86

0.76

1.42

1.25

0.85

2017

2018

2019

2020

1.00

0.85
0.82

2016

Employees
Contractors
Employees and contractors

Indicator

2016

2017

2018

Total number of occupational accidents

Employees

Contractors

Number of occupational fatalities

Employees

Contractors

Number of lost time injuries

Employees

Contractors

Total man-hours worked  
for employees

Total man-hours worked  
for contractors

95

75

20

5

2

3

90

73

17

121

90

31

11

5

6

110

85

25

89

65

24

3

3

0

86

62

24

2019

105

72

33

6

2

4

99

70

29

2020

167

133

34

3

1

2

164

132

32

91,943,948

92,677,015

93,637,091

95,179,559

93,693,124

19,901,080

15,108,161

22,612,132

26,995,931

39,797,555

In 2020 the Company continued to 
support a policy of openness for incident 
registration at all levels that was 
introduced in late 2019. NLMK strives 
to determine the systemic causes, 
develop corrective measures, and 
prevent incidents from happening again.

In 2020 the Company proceeded  
with the maintenance programme  
aimed at reducing fatal and high  
risks. The programme is based on  
the Vision Zero concept: all incidents  
are preventable.

WORK-RELATED 
INCIDENTS

NLMK's efforts to improve the NLMK 
safety system, including developing 
methods to respond to emergencies and 
incidents at work, enable the Company 
to minimize the consequences of 
incidents.

The system for recording work-related 
injuries at NLMK Group is based  
on industry-wide methods adopted  
by the World Steel Association.  
The main injury rate indicator used in 
the Group is Lost Time Injury Frequency 
Rate (LTIFR). 

The year-on-year increase in the number 
of injures in 2020 is due to improved 
light injury registration. In late 2019, 
the Company launched a programme 
to prevent incident concealment, which 
includes the following actions:
 ● A large-scale communication 
campaign (top management  
talking about the inadmissibility of 
concealing production incidents, 
videos, instruction pamphlets)

 ● Launching the OHS Hotline
 ● A moratorium on sanctions for 

reporting incidents that were initially 
concealed

 ● Harsher sanctions for concealing 
incidents, including contractor 
disqualification, dismissal, etc.

146

147

1  TRIFR includes fatalities, lost time injuries and cases requiring treatment. It is calculated on the basis of the method adopted by the Group for determining 

recordable injuries (RIs).

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

CONTRACTOR 
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

 ● Undertake OHS activities on 

priority investment projects in line 
with the requirements of the new 
contractor management system 
and the top risk management 
programme.

 ● Develop the top risk management 

system: a system for safety 
awareness training and assessment 
for contractors' employees,  
a system of ad hoc inspections  
and audits, marking of equipment, 
training videos and memos.

 ● Adopt a new approach to 

the assessment of the contractors' 
OHS management system maturity.

 ● Develop IT services for contractor management: the contractor's personal 

account, pilot projects for e-training of contractor employees, electronic access 
system for contractors, electronic work permit system pilot.

 ● Develop and implement an incentive system to motivate contractors to develop 
their OHS management systems and increase the level of safety culture of their 
employees. 

INDUSTRIAL HEALTHCARE

 ● Implement a set of measures on emergency medical response: the Company will 
continue to supply advanced and affordable means of emergency medical care  
to production facilities, introduce emergency medical response plans, and promote 
the accessible defibrillation programme.

 ● Extend mass training for workers in international standard of cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation, set up a network of training centres for practicing first aid skills, 
retrofit production sites with fully automatic external defibrillators.

 ● Supply automated complexes for medical examinations before work to health 

centres, identify and monitor risk groups for cardiovascular diseases.

OHS TOOLS AND  
INJURY REDUCTION 
PROGRAMMES

to control risks and determine coordination arrangements between  
the employee and the manager when identifying conditions that prevent  
the safe performance of work tasks.

 ● Develop an electronic work permit system to improve the efficiency  

 ● Continue implementing programmes 

and quality of the access control process.

to manage top injury risks. 

 ● Implement benchmarking and ensure exchange of experience with  

 ● Implement projects to roll out OHS 

the largest peers.

tools at the Group companies. Roll out 
corporate training programmes  
on dealing with hazardous events, 
near misses, and behavioural 
dialogues on safety, among others.
 ● Set up OHS Committees at the Group 
companies to increase the level of 
employee engagement in OHS matters 
and the management's interest 
in implementing industrial safety 
measures.

 ● Extend the OHS Leadership 

programme to cover line managers 
of the Group companies as part 
of an integrated approach to 
the development of a culture of 
safety.

FIRE SAFETY

 ● Develop and carry out trainings on fire safety during performance of hot works  

to improve the personnel’s expertise.

 ● Apply advanced approaches to the development of fire protection systems, 
including fire risk assessment mechanisms aimed at improving the safety  
of people and property and reducing operations downtime.

ROAD SAFETY

 ● Introduce international practices for the development of personnel driving 

automotive, industrial (in-shop), and mining transport and special equipment.

 ● Introduce and develop a pool of corporate coaches in Defensive driving  

as taught in international driving schools.

 ● Implement a dynamic risk assessment 
tool for employees to analyse hazards 
at the site of work and assess existing 
measures and necessary additions  

 ● Introduce new technologies and digital solutions in railway transport, update 
and finetune security/control systems (video analytics, impact sensors, driver 
identification, video infrastructure monitoring (signalling, centralization and 
blocking devices, track sections, etc.)).

148

149

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

DEVELOPING  
LOCAL  
COMMUNITIES 

MAJOR THEMES
INDIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACTS
LOCAL COMUNITIES

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● Over RUB 577 million allocated to support local communities amid  

the COVID-19 pandemic

 ● The Steel Tree grant competition of the Miloserdiye Charity Fund  

won the Best Social Projects of Russia award

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

RUB 8.4

billion
NLMK’s total social  
investment

RUB 1.0

billion
investment in external  
social programmes 

61

projects 
supported through  
the Steel Tree grant  
competition 

150

151

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR APPROACH TO MANAGING  
EXTERNAL SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

As a major extraction, steelmaking, 
and steel product manufacturing 
company, NLMK has a significant impact 
on the environment as well as local 
communities. The Company’s extractive 
and production facilities are located 
in cities and regions across Russia, 
Denmark, Belgium, Italy, France, and 
the United States  GRI 203-2 .

Two business unit coordinate 
local community engagement and 
the implementation of projects that fall 
under NLMK’s external social policy – 
the Social Policy Unit within the Human 
Resources function, together with 
Government Relations, which are 
subordinated to Vice President, HR & 
Management System and Vice President, 
Risk Management accordingly.

The work of these units in terms 
of developing local communities is 
aimed at determining common interests 
shared by NLMK Group, employees, local 
communities as well as governmental 
and local administrative bodies related 
to the sustainable development of 
the Company and the regions in which 
it operates and creating a positive 
environment for both employees and 
local communities.

In an effort to improve the approaches 
taken to implement social programmes 
in 2019, NLMK Group developed and 
approved its Sustainable Development 
Policy. According to the standards 
set forth in this document, one of 
NLMK Group’s key goals in sustainable 
development is to contribute to the social 
development of the regions in which 
the Company operates.

NLMK’s social and charitable activities 
to support and develop the regions 
in which it operates are pursued chiefly 
in collaboration with the Company’s social 
partner, the Miloserdiye (Mercy) Charity 
Fund for Social Assistance. The Fund 
supports the development of sport and 
healthcare, the preservation of cultural 

heritage, and provides assistance to pensioners, veterans, and other vulnerable social 
groups. The Miloserdiye Fund is a longstanding trusted partner of NLMK in the Lipetsk 
and Belgorod Regions and in Altai Territory.

Over 30,000 people benefit from the Miloserdiye Fund each year. Miloserdiye implements 
charity projects in the following key areas:
 ● Assistance for veterans: supporting veterans’ organizations and former NLMK 
employees in their retirement, providing assistance in obtaining medicines and 
reimbursing treatment costs, and organizing cultural events.

 ● Health: providing assistance by paying for expensive operations, targeted funding 
for medical organizations, and health resort packages for children with disabilities 
and wheelchair users.

 ● Sport: support for sports federations, funding for children’s and young people’s 

sports schools, and purchasing equipment.

 ● Children: supporting children’s homes and residential schools and conducting 

charity campaigns for children.

 ● Science and culture: supporting gifted children (winners of science Olympiads and 
music and art competitions), creative groups, libraries, museums, and art galleries.

 ● Environment: purchasing specialized equipment, feed, and medicines for use 

in nature reserves and parks, forests, and veterinary practices.

 ● Cultural development: funding charity concerts, drama festivals, and holiday 

events for residents of Lipetsk and the Lipetsk Region.

 ● One-off assistance: providing one-off assistance to public organizations, municipal 
institutions, and citizens affected by terrorist attacks or natural or man-made 
disasters.

The Miloserdiye Fund has received a number of awards: in particular it was named 
Benefactor of the Year by the Lipetsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and  
is also a two-time recipient of the Golden Badge for Services to the City of Lipetsk.  
In 2017, the Chairman of the Miloserdiye Fund Board, Sergey Melnik, was presented 
with the Lipetsk Municipality’s highest honour, the Mitrofan Klyuev medal, for his  
many years of charitable work.

In 2020, the Steel Tree grant competition of the Miloserdiye Charity Fund won  
the Best Social Projects of Russia award. The award has been in place since 2012 and 
aims to support social projects and promote the development of partnerships  
in the social sphere.

The Miloserdiye Charity Fund was included in the top 20 funds in the first rating 
of private and corporate charitable funds in Russia, compiled by the RAEX agency 
together with the Association of Rating Compilers (ARC) in 2020.

NLMK Group was awarded the B+ rating (Best Practice) in the Leaders of Corporate 
Charity 2020 rating, compiled by Donors Forum, the Association of Grantmaking 
Organizations, which confirms the high maturity level of systemic charity in 
the Company.

NLMK is committed to enhancing the tools it uses to collaborate and engage with 
communities. Since 2017, the Fund, together with NLMK Group, has been implementing 
the Steel Tree programme – a grant competition to support social and environmental 
public initiatives.

Train of Good Deeds

The year 2020 saw a continued 
inflow of charitable contributions by 
NLMK staff on the Miloserdiye online 
crowdfunding platform. In December 
2020, a dedicated campaign webpage 
ran Train of Good Deeds, a New Year 
donation marathon. The donations 
went to the fund’s beneficiaries – 
veterans living alone, multi-child 
families, severely ill kids. All proceeds 
were earmarked for beneficiaries in 
the Lipetsk, Belgorod, Sverdlovsk, 
Kaluga, and Moscow Regions, as well 
as in Altai Territory. 

Total personal contributions since 
the launch of the programme have 
exceeded RUB 8.5 million.

M O S C O W   O B L A S T

Train of Good Deeds

Hi and welcome to our 
Geed Deeds Train!

Steel Tree grant competition

In 2017, the Miloserdiye Charity Fund launched the Steel Tree grant competition 
in Lipetsk. The competition offered local employees the opportunity to develop 
their own programmes to support the environment and to obtain grants 
to fund them. In 2020, grants were awarded to projects in the following 
categories: ecology and urban improvements, family values, science and 
culture, sports and health, supporting children and young adults, mercy  
and care, and longevity. A jury board was set up to select the best initiatives, 
with members to represent NLMK, the Miloserdiye Fund, regional and local 
authorities. The number of applications in 2020 set a new record at 189. 
A total of 61 grants were awarded to projects, of which NLMK contributed 
RUB 17.9 million. The context of the pandemic informed the decision to 
change the arrangements for selection and implementation of the projects: 
pitch presentations were made online, no mass gatherings were organized, 
all participants received personal protective gear.

Theatre for All (City of Yelets)

The project helps children with disabilities to participate in theatre arts.  
It was developed by Lidiya Polosina, teacher at Yelets School No. 1, who received 
a Steel Tree grant in 2020. The project actively involves children with disabilities 
into staging theatre performances. The grant funds went to procure new audio  
and visual equipment for the theatre (microphones, a mixing console, and  
a video camera), make stage clothes, and build stage designs. A number of new 
performances were delivered by young artists from local schools and colleges, 
celebrating the days of Russia’s military glory. All performances were organized 
in full compliance with the epidemiological precautionary requirements.

LIPETSK OBLAST

STEEL TREE PROJECT 
GEOGRAPHY, NUMBER  
OF PROJECTS

3

6

23

14

61

15

Lipetsk
Stary Oskol
Sverdlovsk Region
Zarinsk
Kaluga Region

Another charity fund operating  
in the Sverdlovsk Region is Zabota, 
Pomosch, Miloserdiye (Care, Help,  
Mercy).

NLMK also operates various  
volunteering and charity programmes 
and conducts research on the needs 
of local communities in areas where 
it operates. It determines such needs 
through surveys and public hearings 
as well as various internal corporate 
communication channels.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

STRATEGY DOCUMENTS  
IN CHARITY

LOCAL COMMUNITY IMPACT  
ASSESSMENT

A major effort was undertaken in 
2020 to draft a Strategy on External 
Social Programmes and Charity for 
2021–2023 and a Policy on External Social 
Programmes and Charity. Contributing 
to the strategic goals of the Company, 
the new high-level documents are to 
become an integral part of the Group’s 
package of strategies: Strategy 2022, 
Human Resources Strategy, and Social 
Strategy. Drafting was done in line  
with best Russian and international 
practices. It was based also on 
the outcomes of evaluating the potential 
of the Group key home regions that  
was conducted in 2020. The project 
included consultations with NLMK 
stakeholders in the relevant regions.  
In light of the pandemic, the framework 
documents of NLMK Group for charitable 
activities were discussed at an online 
strategy session. A joint discussion 
tapping about 40 participants addressed  
systemic aspects of charitable activities. 
Among the contributors were  
managing directors of main NLMK Group 
companies, heads of functions, and 
invited experts. The documents are  
to be adopted in Q1 2021.

Within the reporting period, NLMK Group ran programmes on engaging and developing 
local communities in all regions of operation. This included a local community impact 
assessment. 

As part of developing the Strategy on External Social Programmes and Charity  
in 2020, an assessment was done of the key Group geographies potential.  
The assessment aimed to identify the most significant social and environmental 
issues. The assessment results were discussed with internal stakeholders.  
External stakeholders were reached out to with a questionnaire on charity and 
human rights. The survey was conducted on the Anketolog platform and received 
responses from 23 companies – existing and potential business partners of 
the Group. The data obtained informed the priorities for social investment  
by the Group and for development of the relevant strategy documents  GRI 413-1 .

RESULTS OF THE EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER SURVEY  
ON NLMK CHARITABLE PROJECTS, %

9

69

22

Do you know of the charitable projects 
implemented by NLMK?

I know that NLMK pursues charitable activities, 
but can not provide any examples
I am aware of NLMK's charitable initiatives 
and projects
I am not aware of NLMK's charitable initiatives 
and projects

TOOLS USED TO ENGAGE AND DETERMINE THE NEEDS  
OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES  GRI 413-1 

No.

Tool

Description

Assessment of existing  
social programmes

NLMK regularly analyses ongoing social programmes in order to determine their 
impact and audience reach and to obtain feedback from the intended beneficiaries.

1

2

3

Direct engagement via  
internal communication 
channels

Working with local  
authorities

4

Public hearings

Given that many of NLMK Group’s companies are the main employers in their 
respective areas and that a significant proportion of the regional population work 
for them, the social needs of local people can be determined with the help  
of internal communication channels, including telephone hotlines, text messages,  
and the intranet portal. The portal can be used to leave messages, which  
a specialist then responds to; these messages can be read and commented on  
by all portal users.

For more details about the internal communication channels used,  
see the Stakeholder Dialogue section.

The Company works with regional and local authorities that are fully aware 
of the current needs and requirements of local communities in the regions 
where the Company operates. Using this information, NLMK collaborates with 
representatives from these authorities to develop social initiatives that meet 
the needs of local communities.

For additional information, see the Stakeholder Dialogue: Government Authorities 
section.

Public hearings are held to review the environmental impacts of NLMK investment 
projects that are subject to State Environmental Expert Review. The hearings help 
identify the expectations of the locals and integrate them into project development 
and operations. In 2020, six NLMK projects were heard publicly and approved by 
Lipetsk residents.

A public hearing on rezoning was held at Stagdok, also approved by local residents.

154

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

2020 PERFORMANCE

Each year, NLMK allocates significant 
resources to social programmes  
in a variety of areas. In 2019, 
NLMK Group allocated RUB 1.028 billion 
to external social programmes,  
including support for veterans and 
retired employees. In light of  
the COVID-19 pandemic, significant  
funds went to support healthcare 
institutions and most vulnerable  
groups.

SUPPORT FOR 
HEALTHCARE

Projects in this area aim to promote 
development of healthcare institutions, 
including through procurement of 
medical equipment and targeted 
aid to people with severe illnesses 
(reimbursement of costly surgery, 
medicines, and rehabilitation).

A total of RUB 430.6 million was allocated 
to support healthcare in 2020, which 
amounted to 42% of the Company’s 
total investment in external social 
programmes.

SUPPORT FOR SOCIALLY 
VULNERABLE GROUPS  
IN REGIONS WHERE  
NLMK GROUP OPERATES

Social support by the Group is delivered 
in the form of targeted aid to people in 
need, support to initiatives with positive 
social impacts, facilitation for Group 
employees and proactive local residents 
to participate in social causes, including 
through the grant competition.

In light of the pandemic the Group 
provided targeted aid to the most 
vulnerable groups. It allocated funds to 
provide food parcels to groups that are 
in need of support today in the cities 
where the Group operates, namely 
families with three or more children 
under the age of 18, families raising 
children with disabilities, and single 
parents. Around 15,000 parcels was 
delivered to families in Lipetsk, Stary 
Oskol, and Zarinsk. 

INVESTMENT IN EXTERNAL SOCIAL PROGRAMMES IN 2020, %  GRI 201-1 

10.5

11.7

3.8 1.2

7.1

RUB 1.03
billion

23.8

42.0

Health
Grassroots and children's sports
Support for socially vulnerable groups
Support for veterans and retires employees
Funding education
Social support
Culture and arts

Support to the home regions in the fight against COVID-19

The Group provided funds to counter the spread of the new coronavirus 
infection in its home regions in the amount of RUB 577 million. The contributions 
were proportionate to the scope of operation in the Lipetsk, Belgorod, Kaluga, 
and Sverdlovsk Regions, and in Altai Territory. As agreed with regional and 
city administrations, the funds were used to procure highly needed medical 
equipment and PPEs (masks, respirators, sanitizers, etc.).

NLMK Lipetsk and its social partner, the Miloserdiye Charity Fund, made  
in-kind donations to 13 regional and municipal healthcare institutions  
in the Lipetsk Region. The donated medicine, equipment, and PPEs, including  
57 ventilators, X-ray machines and oxygen concentrators, totalled over  
RUB 392 million. 

Families with multiple children under the age of 23 provided for by the parents,  
living in seven cities where the Group operates, received targeted financial aid. 

A total of RUB 120 million was allocated to support socially vulnerable groups 
in regions where NLMK Group operates in 2020, which amounted to 12% of 
the Company’s total investment in external social programmes.

SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND RETIRED EMPLOYEES

NLMK places considerable emphasis on supporting veterans and retired employees. 
This includes organizing regular trips and other cultural events, regular exhibitions 
of creative works by veterans as well as sporting tournaments and healthy lifestyle 
activities. One important aspect of our work with veterans is computer training, 
which helps elderly people use computers, mobile apps, and the Internet to find useful 
information, access electronic services, and communicate with family and friends 
online.

In order to bolster ties between generations, NLMK works with local veterans’ 
organizations and trade unions to host meetings with veterans, organize visits to war 
memorial sites, and give lessons on courage in schools and colleges basic educational 
institutions.

Due to the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the scale of support for this group was 
significantly increased.

Helping our veterans

From April to June 2020, the Group ran the We are Here for You corporate 
campaign in support of NLMK veterans. It was pursued with the help of 
the Group’s social partner, the Miloserdiye Charity Fund, and corporate caterers 
Roteks and OMS. The campaign involved 277 corporate NLMK volunteers who 
were a tremendous support in the implementation. A total of 15,814 food and 
essentials parcels were put together and handed out. 

 “Thank you for the real support and help to us, the veterans, in this challenging 
time. Your help inspires hope and will to live... Kindness and care cure all ills if 
we are here for each other. With kind regards, appreciation and best wishes,  
G. Sychev, veteran of labour.”

A total of RUB 108 million was allocated 
to support veterans and retired 
employees in 2020, which amounted to 
10.5% of the Company’s total investment 
in external social programmes.

GRASSROOTS  
AND CHILDREN’S  
SPORTS

The development of grassroots and 
children’s sport is one of the priorities 
within the Company’s social activities. 
NLMK creates conditions for engaging 
in sports not only for the Company’s 
employees and their family members, 
but also for local communities, 
regularly allocating resources for 
the maintenance of sports facilities 
and to provide assistance to children’s 
and young people’s sporting academies 
and groups as well as sports clubs and 
promising athletes. For example,  
NLMK covers all costs for the Lipetsk 
Metallurg sports club in Lipetsk and  
for Olympic Reserve School No. 13  
for Children and Young People, which 
was set up on the core of the club. 
The school trains world-class athletes 
in skeet shooting: around half of 
the current Russian skeet shooting team  
are its former students.

In 2020, the Company allocated  
RUB 244 million to support grassroots 
and children's sports in the regions 
where it operates, or 24% of total 
investment in the Company's external 
social programmes.

Racing yacht for a Lipetsk athlete

NLMK and its social partner, the Miloserdiye Charity Fund, donated  
a world-sailing Laser-class dinghy to Ekaterina Zyuzina, a professional sailor 
from Lipetsk. Evgeniya Donskikh, Director of the Miloserdiye Fund, officially  
presented the memorial certificate to the prize winner of the Russian  
Yachting Championship. 

At the Sailing World Cup in Japan, Ekaterina Zyuzina won Russia the qualification 
for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was pushed to 2021 because of COVID-19. 
As the sailor used to have no personal boat, Russian Yachting Federation 
approached the Miloserdiye Fund for help. Ekaterina serves as a role model for 
young people of Lipetsk and promotes grassroots sailing in the Lipetsk Region.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SUPPORT  
FOR EDUCATION

The main focuses of scientific and 
educational development pursued 
in NLMK Group’s social policy consist 
of multifaceted support for certain 
educational institutions in the regions 
where the Company operates, and 
support for high-quality technical 
education for young people. 
The Company provides targeted funding 
for scientific and educational activities 
at educational institutions, and also 
arranges and sponsors conferences 
dedicated to scientific research as well 
as scientific and technical competitions 
for students. In order to introduce 
the next generation of employees 
to the Company, NLMK organizes 
open days and trips to production 
facilities for schoolchildren as well as 
industrial internships at the Company’s 
enterprises for students from certain 
educational institutions. NLMK also 
finances a range of grants.

The Company also allocates significant 
resources to improving facilities at 
nursery schools, schools, secondary 
schools, vocational institutions, children’s 
centres for the creative arts, children’s 
homes, and residential schools.

In 2020, a total of RUB 73 million was 
allocated to support science and 
education in regions where the Company 
operates; this amount represented  
7% of the Company’s total investment  
in external social projects.

Webinars for MISiS students

The Group hosted a series of 
webinars as part of the Career Fair 
organized by the National University 
of Science and Technology MISiS. 
Events like this one help students 
learn about the Group’s products 
and technologies, and about the jobs 
different specialists do at NLMK.

DEVELOPING SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF REGIONS 
WHERE NLMK GROUP OPERATES

The main priorities of NLMK Group’s external social programmes include determining 
and facilitating solutions to issues that currently affect the regions where the Company 
operates as well as social infrastructure development.

In 2020, a total of RUB 39.4 million was allocated to develop the social infrastructure 
of the regions where NLMK Group operates, or 4% of the Company’s total 
investment in external social programmes.

Support for improvements at Lipetsk public parks

NLMK and the Miloserdiye Fund launched a public realm improvement programme 
for garden squares and recreational areas in Lipetsk. 

The Fund paid to manufacture over 180 benches and about 110 sandboxes. 
The amenities were installed in the common areas and garden squares of new 
and existing residential developments in the Levoberezhny, Pravoberezhny, 
Sovetsky, and Yugo-Zapadny districts of Lipetsk. Neighbourhood residents 
provided inputs on where to best place the amenities. 

Benches and sandboxes are made of modern wear-resistant materials.  
All sandboxes came with fresh sand. About 70 volunteers from NLMK helped  
with the installation.

SUPPORT FOR CULTURE 
AND ARTS

As part of efforts to support culture 
and the arts, NLMK Group provides 
assistance to organizations that 
promote cultural history and education 
in the regions where the Company 
operates and makes financial 
contributions to the preservation and 
proper maintenance of cultural and 
architectural monuments and other 
sites with cultural and historic value. 

The Group also supports the activities  
of corporate museums, including  
NLMK’s Novolipetsk Museum in Lipetsk, 
the Demidov Centre in the Sverdlovsk 
Region town of Revda, and museum sites 
at Stoilensky Mining and Beneficiation 
Plant and Altai-Koks.

A total of RUB 12.2 million was allocated 
to support culture and the arts in 2020, 
which amounted to 1% of the Company’s 
total investment in external social 
programmes.

A total of RUB 12.2 million was allocated to support culture and the arts in 2020,  
which amounted to 1% of the Company’s total investment in external social 
programmes.

Support for the construction of the Intercession Church in Lipetsk

NLMK provided more than 7,000 tonnes of building materials and contributed 
money for the construction project. NLMK repair workers manufactured four 
metal domes and four crosses for the church. Each dome fit with a cross weighs 
1.1 tonnes, its height is approximately 9 metres, and base diameter is 5 metres. 
The domes have been coated with titanium nitride and mounted on the church.

Online paintings

NLMK Museum opened its first online exhibition with paintings about metal. 

The online exposition features artwork by Lipetsk painter Ivan Kolesnikov. 
The exhibition is available on the NLMK Virtual City website under “Exhibition 
Room”. The collection of NLMK corporate museum holds works by many  
well-known artists from Lipetsk, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. It includes 
paintings by Ivan Kolesnikov, member of the USSR Artists’ Union, participant  
of regional exhibitions. His works are also held by the Lipetsk Art Museum, 
private collections in the UK, US, and other countries.

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

The following strategy documents are to be adopted in 2021: the Policy on External 
Social Programmes and Charity and Strategy 2021–2023, including the implementation 
of Stage 1 of the Strategy.

It is planned to further develop the Steel Tree grant contest, including a revision 
of the programme based on stakeholder feedback and digitalization of the contest 
procedure.

158

159

ANNUALREPORT   2020ENVIRONMENTAL

162  Environmental protection

186  Climate change

202 Energy efficiency 

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANNUAL
REPORT    
2020

ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION

MAJOR THEMES
WATER
BIODIVERSITY
ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS
WASTE
SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● Major overhauls of Blast Furnaces No. 4 and No. 6 and BOFs No. 2 and No. 3 
completed at NLMK Lipetsk BOF Shop No. 2 with a total emission reduction  
of 9,000 tonnes 

 ● Upgrade of the NLMK Lipetsk local treatment facilities and a set of projects  

to reduce wastewater discharge completed; at 2020 year-end, the volume of 
domestic wastewater discharge into the Voronezh River was reduced by 73% 
(industrial wastewater discharge seized in 2009) compared to the design target 
values before the upgrade

 ● A new section for waterless blast furnace slag cooling built at NLMK Lipetsk  

with a 3.5x hydrogen sulfide emissions reduction at the site

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLES
 ● Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental 

challenges.

 ● Principle 8: Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater 

environmental responsibility.

 ● Principle 9: Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of 

environmentally friendly technologies.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE  
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

$ 430

million
allocated to investment  
projects with  
an environmental  
impact as part  
of Strategy 2022

$ 183

million
allocated to operational 
and investment projects 
with an environmental 
impact in 2020

97%

of water in production  
is recycled and reused

99%

of waste recycled

Awards

The NLMK Lipetsk slag dump processing 
project was shortlisted for the Excellence 
in Sustainability category of the Steelie 
Awards held annually by the World Steel 
Association. Thanks to this project  
25 hectares of land were reclaimed  
and 6 million tonnes of recyclables  
was processed thus avoiding the emission  
of 85,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

NLMK Lipetsk won the Environmental 
Culture. Peace and Harmony  
international competition, held under  
the auspices of the Vernadsky  
Non-Governmental Environmental 
Foundation, in the Environmental  
Culture in Industry and Energy category.

NLMK Group was awarded the gold  
medal of the 26th international  
industrial exhibition Metal-Expo 2020  
for the construction of a dry slag  
cooling complex at NLMK Lipetsk.

For the fourth consecutive year  
NLMK Kaluga was a prize-winner 
in the regional Eco Organization 
competition. In 2020 the company took 
second place among major corporations 
in the Environmentally Responsible 
Organization of Production category.

Altai-Koks won the Metals and Mining 
Company with High Social Efficiency 
industry competition in the Environmental 
Protection and Resource Conservation 
category. 

NLMK Lipetsk won the Ecology – a Reliable 
Partner national competition in the Best 
Project for Reducing Harmful Emissions 
into the Air, Ensuring Environmental Safety 
of the Air category.

NLMK Lipetsk was awarded with  
a Certificate of Merit of the Vernadsky  
Non-Governmental Environmental 
Foundation for active participation  
in the Green Spring national community 
clean-up and for supporting environmental 
initiatives.

NLMK Lipetsk topped the Best Separate 
Waste Collection System category of 
the Green Healthy Office competition.

162

163

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

OUR APPROACH TO MANAGING  
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A responsible attitude towards 
the environment and the efficient use  
of natural resources are the key 
principles of NLMK Group’s Sustainable 
Development Policy. The Group 
objectively assesses environmental risks 
and is committed to minimizing them.  
It allocates significant resources  
to various environmental programmes 
and the implementation of innovative 
technologies. Environmental protection 
is a top priority of NLMK Group’s 
activities.

NLMK takes a comprehensive approach 
to environmental management by 
focusing on improving energy efficiency, 
reducing air emissions by upgrading 
equipment, reusing and processing 
waste, conserving water resources,  
and rehabilitating contaminated land.

 STRUCTURE

NLMK’s management team is actively 
involved in the environmental 
management process:
 ● The Group’s CEO and Board of 

Directors review environmental 
performance on an annual basis.
 ● The Strategic Planning Committee 

under the Board of Directors 
studies risks related to sustainable 
development, including those related 
to environment, atmospheric air, 
water resources, soil, biodiversity,  
and climate change (including 
greenhouse gas emissions), and 
approves the Environmental 
Programme and investments 
in environmental protection projects. 

 ● The Management Board reviews key 
components of the Environmental 
Programme, approves its key 
performance indicators, and signs 
off on its execution at all the Group 
divisions.

 ● The Management Board’s Investment Committee is directly involved in reviewing 
NLMK’s Environmental Programme. The Investment Committee includes vice 
presidents and directors of NLMK companies. The Investment Committee devotes 
special attention to the results of the annual environmental assessment, approves 
the investment budget for projects aimed at reducing environmental impacts, 
and oversees the investment budget for the Environmental Programme and its 
execution.

 ● NLMK Vice President for Energy and Environment is responsible for ensuring  

the efficiency of environmental and energy management, overseeing the execution 
of the approved portfolio of projects, achieving environmental targets, and 
resolving key issues in the field of environmental protection. 

 ● The Environmental Department coordinates environmental management, 

including managing environmental risks and implementing advanced eco-friendly 
technologies, and organizes activities which aim to reduce the Company’s impact on 
climate. Each of the Group’s companies has an environmental protection service, 
which is responsible for, among other things, daily monitoring of compliance with 
environmental requirements, supporting production units, assessing environmental 
risks, supporting the implementation of environmental projects, and implementing 
systems that assess the maturity of environmental indicators and improve 
environmental management.

 ● Laboratories of production and environmental control, which are part of 

NLMK Group’s Environment function, monitor and measure the amount and/or 
composition of the emission, state of the air at the border of sanitary protection 
zones, the water quality in surface water, groundwater, industrial and household 
wastewater, drinking water quality, and soil condition at the NLMK Group 
production sites and sanitary protection zones, providing reliable data for 
the environment analysis, performed by the environmental protection services.

TARGETS AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

NLMK recognizes the importance of efficient environmental management. As part of its 
Environmental Programme under Strategy 2022, which is reviewed and supplemented 
annually following a risk assessment, the following targets have been established:
 ● Minimizing the impact that the Group’s Russian and international companies have 

on the environment, and complying with all applicable environmental standards and 
environmental risk management commitments

 ● Increasing the waste recycling rate
 ● Reducing specific air emissions
 ● Reducing the impact on water resources

An important highlight in 2020 was the update of the Group’s 2023 target to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions. NLMK Group intends to continue reducing greenhouse  
gas emissions while increasing its steel output by 2023. The specific emissions target 
is 1.91 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel vs. 2.00 tonnes in 2018. 

In 2020, NLMK Group set additional targets for reducing air emissions of selected 
substances and the impact it has on water, and for increasing the use of overburden, 
tailings, and iron-containing waste. The target indicators are given in the table.

NLMK Group Environmental Programme envisages the implementation of a portfolio 
of projects, which aim to achieve the targets mentioned above.

1  For more details on greenhouse gas emissions see the climate section of the Report.

NLMK GROUP STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS UNTIL 2023

Target

KPI

Units

2018  
(baseline year)

2020

2023  
target

Approved earlier

Compliance of environmental 
indicators of NLMK Group  
with best practices

СО2 emissions reduction 
program

Approved in 2020

Air impact reduction  
by individual substance  
(specific emissions)

Reduction of impact  
on water resources

Increased usage  
of overburden, tailings,  
and iron-containing  
wastes

Specific emissions

kg/t of steel 

Waste recycling share

% 

18.9

89

19.8 (18.61)

95

Specific СО2 emissions, 
stationary sources  
(Scope 1+2) 

CO (NLMK Lipetsk)

NОx (NLMK Lipetsk)

SOx (NLMK Lipetsk)

Dust

1st Class substances  
RF Group

Specific water discharge 
(NLMK Lipetsk)2

Pollutants discharge  
into water bodies

Overburden usage share 
(Mining Division)

Share of iron-containing 
waste utilization3

t/t of steel 

2.00

2.10 (1.981)

kg/t of steel 

kg/t of steel 

kg/t of steel 

kg/t of steel 

16.3

16.8 (16.01)

1.2

1.7

1.4

1.3 (1.21)

1.7 (1.71)

1.4 (1.21)

g/t of steel

0.08

0.08 (0.071)

m3/t of steel

0.8

0.7 (0.71)

‘000 t

17.6

12.5 (13.91)

%

%

26

93

29

99

18.0

92

1.91

14.8

1.1

1.6

1.2

0.07

0.6

13.2

30

101

CERTIFICATION

NLMK works continuously to systematize 
its environmental management 
operations in accordance with modern 
international standards. NLMK Group 
employs an Environmental Management 
System, which enables it to identify  
and monitor environmental issues and 
the risks of its activities.

The ISO 14001:2015 standard has been 
implemented at 14 of the Group’s 
facilities.

In order to ensure a systematic 
approach to environmental management 
at the Group’s facilities, supervision  
and recertification audits for compliance 
with ISO 14001:2015 are carried out on  
a regular basis.

In 2020, NLMK Group was awarded Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) 
certificates for rebar

EPD certification will boost the competitiveness of NLMK products in the Northern 
Europe market (in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland), where special attention 
is paid to energy efficiency and environmental safety when selecting a product. 

The Declaration includes a detailed description of the rebar product and  
how it impacts the environment throughout its life cycle: from feedstock and 
other materials used in production to the mode of transport used to deliver  
the product to consumers. It also discloses the main types of waste generated  
in rebar production, its amount and how it is disposed of. The volumes  
of emissions into the atmosphere and water bodies and the methods of handling 
them are also indicated as well as the recycling possibilities and methods after 
rebar loses its consumer properties.

The declaration assessment, carried out by an independent expert from  
the declaration developers, confirmed that the environmental performance  
in the production of NLMK Long rebar meets international requirements.

1  Without the impact of temporary factors, which have to do with lower production.

2 

Industrial and household wastewater, total.

3  Without overburden and tailings taking into account accumulated sludge.

164

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

INVESTMENT  
IN ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION

Each year NLMK Group commits 
significant resources to ensuring 
the accident-free operation of 
equipment and the implementation 
of investment projects that have 
an environmental impact. Spending 
on environmental management over 
the reporting period totalled more  
than $183 million, an increase of 44% 
over the past five years.

NLMK GROUP SPENDING  
ON ENVIRONMENTAL 
PROTECTION, $ M   
 GRI 103-2 

202,0

161,6

121,2

80,8

40,4

0,0

202
124

183
101

175
95

80

78

82

127
73

54

123
90

33

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Investment projects
Current expenditures 
on environment protection

In 2020, despite the pandemic, 
the financing of the Group’s 
environmental investment projects 
increased by 5% compared to 2019.  
Due to these capital investments,  
major overhaul of Blast Furnaces  
No. 4 and No. 6 and BOFs No. 2 and No. 3 
in the NLMK Lipetsk BOF Shop No. 2  
was completed with a total impact  
on emissions reduction of 9,000 tonnes. 
In addition, local treatment facilities 
were upgraded, and a new section for 
waterless BF slag cooling was built, 
enabling a 3.5x reduction in hydrogen 
sulfide emissions.

MONITORING, CONTROL, AND COMPLIANCE

NLMK conducts internal audits to assess its environmental impact. It also has 
a production control system in place. Internal environmental audits involve 
the comprehensive monitoring of operations at the Group’s companies, including 
treatment facility performance tests, measures to reduce the environmental  
impact of generated waste, and an environmental production plan to reduce  
specific air emissions.

The Group employs environmental production monitoring procedures with support 
from accredited laboratories in order to monitor the implementation of resolutions, 
prevent non-compliance with effluent discharge standards, and monitor sources  
of emissions and atmospheric quality at NLMK Group companies. These procedures 
have been agreed with state supervisory bodies and are regulated by legal 
documents  GRI 303-2 .

Supervisory bodies conduct regular annual checks, both scheduled and unscheduled, 
of the Group’s companies to ensure they comply with Russian legislation as well as 
stakeholder expectations. A total of 39 checks were carried out by local environmental 
supervisory bodies in 2020. No significant fines or non-monetary sanctions were 
imposed on NLMK Group, and no legal proceedings were brought against the Group 
seeking compensation for damage to the environment or to third parties. There were 
no environmental accidents since the beginning of NLMK Group’s operations  GRI 307-1 .

PAYMENTS FOR NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, $ M

Indicator

Entire Group 1

Russian assets

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2.4

1.6

2.6

1.9

2.3

1.3

1.7

1.0

1.8

0.9

The payments have been decreasing over the last five reporting years, which is 
evidence of the reduction in the negative impact of the Group’s businesses on 
the environment. In 2020, the share of over-limit payments in the structure  
of payments for the negative impact on the environment of the Group’s Russian 
assets amounted to 19% (compared to 21% in 2018).

In 2020, NLMK Lipetsk implemented a project on video surveillance of the main 
sources of the company’s emissions. A system of 63 video surveillance cameras 
enables identification of any visible emissions and allows reacting quickly to reduce 
the possible negative impact on the atmospheric air. Together with the video 
surveillance system, a system for analyzing NLMK’s visible emissions is being 
developed using machine vision algorithms and deep learning methods. This will 
enable identification of any atypical emissions into the atmosphere recorded by video 
surveillance cameras; determine their location, and the estimated volume. Upon 
receiving the results, the production department experts and the plant’s Industrial 
Environment Department will conduct detailed analysis and determine the causes  
of emissions. The video cameras cover the main facilities of the plant with significant 
gross emissions, and companies with a significant visible impact on the atmosphere 
at the plant border. The cameras also capture the view of the site as seen by  
Lipetsk residents. This new system will prevent and eliminate the causes of atypical 
emissions into the atmosphere.

1  For the Group’s international companies, costs of procuring permits are taken as payments for negative environmental impact.

The Company also engages its employees 
in the environmental control process.  
In 2020, NLMK Group’s Lipetsk site 
launched a rapid response system  
for environmental incidents. By calling 
the hotline or leaving a WhatsApp 
message, the company employees and 
local residents can report an incident 
or discrepancy. The hotline for 
environmental issues helps to quickly 
record appeals and inform the residents 
directly about the real state of affairs. 
In addition, the solution complements 
the internal environmental improvement 
system (IEIS), designed to ensure  
the environmental safety of the plant.  
As part of this system, shop employees 
themselves regularly find and eliminate 
environmental inconsistencies or their 
root causes.

In 2020, NLMK Group launched  
a project to equip air emissions  
and wastewater disposal sources  
with automated monitoring  
and data transmission devices. 
The Company plans to allocate  
close to RUB 800 million for 
the implementation of this legislative 
requirement in the next five years.  
The programme for creating 
an automatic control system for 
emissions and water runoff for  
NLMK Group’s Russian companies was 
approved by the Group’s Investment 
Committee in November 2020.

TRAINING

NLMK devotes special attention  
to fostering a culture of environmental 
awareness among employees at 
its companies and in communities 
in the regions where it operates. 
A series of educational courses, 
including the Key Rules for Protecting 
the Environment document and 
Protecting the Environment distance 
training course, have been developed 
for the benefit of all the Group’s staff. 
Special environmental protection 
training consists of modules covering 
the use of dust and gas cleaning facilities 
and treatment equipment, how to 
eliminate situations which could lead 
to environmental issues, and waste 
handling. At least 10% or 5,000  
of employees go through environmental 
training sessions and development 
courses every year.

NLMK Lipetsk introduced continuous environmental monitoring

The NLMK Lipetsk environmental laboratory successfully confirmed its 
accreditation following an audit by the Federal Accreditation Service. In addition, 
the laboratory was able to perform 17 new measurements of substances and 
compounds, as well as measure the level of industrial noise in line with best 
international practices. 

The plant’s environmental laboratory daily monitors the impact of production  
on the environment and assesses the air quality not only at the plant, but  
also in the city. Every year, more than 26,000 tests are carried out, or close  
to 100 every day. 

In 2020, the laboratory started testing the systems for online monitoring  
of air pollution. These are software and hardware complexes for live monitoring 
of substance concentrations. They include compact automatic measurement 
modules and information systems with a reporting function. Following the pilot 
tests, it is planned to install ten monitoring complexes in Lipetsk for continuous 
monitoring of the state of atmospheric air by meteorological parameters and 
21 pollutants. The installation of online monitoring systems will enable NLMK 
environmental experts to obtain the most objective and complete information 
about the state of the city’s atmosphere, respond to changes, and take 
necessary measures in case of deviations.

Also in 2020, the industrial and environmental control laboratories began 
implementing the Ecology Laboratory Information System (ELIS), which  
is expected to automate processing, storing, and creating reports based on 
the measurement results. In the ELIS, measurement data are received directly 
from laboratory equipment, measurement protocols are automatically generated, 
and data on previous measurements are stored. The implementation of ELIS will 
reduce the probability of errors in calculations, confirm the transparency and 
reliability of laboratory tests for the regulator, and increase labour productivity 
by 10%. In 2020, the project was implemented in three of the six laboratories of 
the Group’s Russian companies.

NLMK Lipetsk arranged Green City environmental seminars

The project aimed to raise awareness among residents of Lipetsk about 
the current environmental situation in the city and the Company’s projects to 
reduce its impact on the environment. Several important topics were covered 
at these seminars: health of the residents, areas affected by the industry, 
programmes for improving the environment at the plant and in the city, as well 
as sustainability tools. In 2020, 15 training sessions were arranged to reach 
a wide audience, including representatives of government authorities, the press, 
entrepreneurs, students, and schoolchildren. Open communication between 
NLMK Lipetsk and the city is key to building an effective partnership in the field 
of environmental safety. The Company also plans to hold interactive meetings 
on  ecology for students of all schools and universities of the city.

Online training is also available on the corporate portal. Two videos are currently 
available: ‘Environmental Initiatives’ and ‘Handling Class I and Class II Hazardous 
Waste’.

166

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

NLMK Group has been running the Green  
Office Programme for several years  
already. It aims to enhance 
the environmental commitment of 
the Group’s employees and teaches 
people about how they can contribute 
to reducing emissions into the air,  
water, and soil, and also reduce 
fuel costs in the process. In 2020, 
the programme was extended to all 
the Group’s Russian companies and 
standard Green Office activities became 
available for over 30,000 employees  
of the Group.

SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL 
ASSESSMENT

Starting from 2007, all suppliers  
of NLMK Group have been subjected  
to audits, which cover compliance  
with environmental standards. 
All providers of raw materials, supplies, 
and equipment to NLMK Group as well 
as suppliers of services (contractors), 
undergo a qualification procedure, 
which also includes assessments 
for compliance with environmental 
requirements.  The environmental 
criteria for assessing suppliers include 
compliance with legal requirements, 
availability of necessary permits and 
Environmental Management Systems.

The qualification, assessment, and audit 
procedures are set out in NLMK Group’s 
regulatory documents. In 2020, 
the Company updated its Regulations 
on the Qualification of Contractors for 
Compliance with the Management Systems 
Requirements and the Regulations on 
the Contractor Management in the field 
of Occupational Health, Industrial and Fire 
Safety, Environmental Protection and 
Road Safety.

Contractors who have been found 
not to meet the established criteria 
following the qualification and audit 
procedures are not permitted to supply 
raw materials, supplies, or equipment 
or to provide services to NLMK Group 
companies. In 2018–2020, 100% of new 
service providers were screened using 
the environmental criteria. In addition, 
all products supplied to NLMK companies 
come with safety data sheets that 
regulate potential hazards associated 
with the handling of products and 
prescribe the respective necessary 
precautions.

For contractors, the assessment is carried out on the basis of internal corporate 
documents through a specially developed qualification questionnaire  GRI 308-1 .  
They are obliged to sign the Agreement on occupational health, industrial and fire 
safety, work performance, environmental protection as well as onsite and access 
control for relations with its counterparties, which will also enable the Group’s 
enterprises to deal efficiently with suppliers and contractors on matters concerning 
environmental protection and to effectively prevent environmental violations from 
their side. 

The decline in supplier audits in 2020 is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Group works with its suppliers during the audits to eliminate environmental 
deficiencies. In particular, in 2020, based on the audit results for two suppliers, 
measures were initiated to finalize the permitting environmental documentation  
of the audited facilities in order to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.

SUPPLIERS OF FEEDSTOCK, 
MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT  
TO NLMK GROUP SCREENED 
USING ENVIRONMENTAL 
CRITERIA DURING AUDITS  
 GRI 308-2 

SUPPLIERS WITH MEASURES 
TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL 
COMPLIANCE FOLLOWING 
AUDITS, % OF TOTAL AUDITS 
CONDUCTED  GRI 308-2 

39

36

34

80

69

13

41

38

2017

2018

2019

2020

2017

2018

2019

2020

MEMBERSHIP AND 
PARTICIPATION  
IN ORGANIZATIONS

environmental developments in Europe and is particularly active in the EU carbon 
regulation activities. NLMK Group is committed to the sustainable steelmaking principles 
promoted by the EUROFER.

NLMK works with Russian and 
international associations to establish 
an effective dialogue on issues 
surrounding the sustainable use 
of natural resources. In particular, 
NLMK Group is a member of the World 
Steel Association (WSA), which 
represents over 170 steel producers 
across the globe. NLMK is a member of 
WSA expert groups on the environment, 
sustainable development and climate, 
and participates in the Association’s 
events and expert meetings. As part of 
its collaboration with the WSA, the Group 
collects and submits data on sustainable 
development indicators on an annual 
basis and participates in steel  
products life cycle assessment. In 2018,  
NLMK Group signed the Sustainable 
Development Charter, which spells 
out the commitment of WSA members 
to treating steel as a key element in 
a sustainable world and their willingness 
to be guided by environmental, social, 
and economic sustainability principles. 
In 2020, the Company participated 
in the Worldsteel Steelie Awards and 
was shortlisted in the Excellence in 
Sustainability category.

NLMK Group is also a member of 
the Russian Steel industry association 
and takes active part in the work 
of its environmental committee, 
which reviews various environmental 
aspects of steelmaking operations and 
environmental regulation issues.

NLMK is a member of the Committee  
on Ecology and Environment 
Management of the Russian Union  
of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, 
the main platform for consolidating 
the Russian business community’s 
position on various environmental 
aspects. In addition, NLMK Group 
became a member of the newly  
created RUIE Committee on Climate 
Policy and Carbon Regulation, where 
NLMK’s Director of Environmental and 
Climate Affairs heads the international 
carbon regulation area.

NLMK Europe is a member of 
the European Steel Association 
(EUROFER), which discusses 

In 2020, NLMK Group improved its standing in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Russia 
and National Rating Agency’s Environmental Transparency Rating of Mining & Metals 
Companies. NLMK ranked sixth, improving its standing by three positions compared 
to 2019. The main purpose of the report published by WWF Russia was to rank 
Russian companies according to their transparency in matters of environmental 
responsibility. The research examines the activities of 40 major companies and has 
been published since 2015, with the support of the UN Development Programme, 
the Global Environment Facility, and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and 
the Environment.

In 2020 NLMK Group took on the role of a strategic partner for the accelerator, 
GreenTech Startup Booster, organized by the Skolkovo Foundation, with the support 
of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. More than 
150 companies participated in the project, organized by the Skolkovo Foundation, 
with the support of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, 
Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Energy, and industrial partners. Experts from 
NLMK, the official industrial partner of the programme, evaluated their projects. 
NLMK experts were primarily interested in solutions to respond to the current 
environmental and climate protection challenges of the Company. These include 
efficient dust suppression systems, emission control systems, air and water 
monitoring systems, resource conservation, and waste recycling projects. Among  
the finalists of the accelerator, NLMK singled out a technology for producing 
marketable products from liquid metal slags for the construction of roads and 
housing, production of compact gas treatment plants, and digital solutions for 
optimizing waste management processes. These solutions will be further analysed 
and the companies may be offered the opportunity to develop their pilot projects  
at NLMK Group sites.

NLMK Group also cooperates with other steelmaking companies in exchanging  
best practices and promoting sustainability principles. In 2020, NLMK Group 
established regular contacts with voestalpine, Tata Steel Group, and SSAB.  
At regular meetings, the companies discuss their main environmental indicators, 
approaches to environmental protection, implemented and planned projects  
to reduce the impact on the environment. NLMK Group is open about environmental 
issues, recognizing that environmental protection is a common cause, free from 
competition.

NLMK joined the international Competence Centre  
for the development of advanced metallurgical  
and environmental processes

NLMK Group became an industrial partner of K1-MET, a leading European 
Competence Centre for the development of advanced metallurgical and 
environmental processes. 

The first joint project of NLMK, voestalpine, and K1-MET was launched  
in January 2021. The project aims to develop a technology for processing  
zinc-containing waste from electric arc furnaces and BOF steelmaking.  
The new technology will enable the production of materials with higher 
contribution margins from recyclables with the involvement of thousands of 
tonnes of iron in the production cycle of the Group companies. An important 
environmental impact of using this technology is the replacement of primary  
raw materials with secondary resources, which reduces the volume of storage 
of associated products and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

168

169

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

WATER RESOURCES

 GRI 303-1, GRI 303-2 

NLMK Group is committed to reducing 
the volume of water that it consumes, 
and devotes considerable efforts to 
lowering its water intake volumes in 
favour of reusing water. The Group’s 
companies are likewise focused on 
reducing the volume and improving 
the quality of wastewater produced, 
which is in line with the IMS Policy of 
NLMK Group. 

As part of the climate risk assessment 
initiated in 2020 by Carbon Trust 
Advisory Limited, an independent, 
competent third-party organization, 
which has relevant experience with 
commercial companies and government 
organizations since 2001, a risk 
assessment of water availability in 
the areas where NLMK Group operates 
was carried out. Based on the results  
of the assessment, it was found that  
in the short and medium term, this 
risk has a low probability of affecting 
the Group’s activities.

In March 2020, NLMK Lipetsk joined 
the initiative to discuss the state of 
urban sewage treatment plants and 
their potential upgrade with the Lipetsk 
city administration and the Lipetsk 
municipal WWTP. As part of this initiative, 
an upgrade programme was developed 
together with NLMK experts, which aims 
to improve the quality of wastewater at 

the outlet and reduce the emission of substances with an unpleasant smell, a source 
of discomfort for residents of nearby areas. In December 2020, the main design 
solutions for the upgrade of the structures at two sections of the Lipetsk WWTP were 
developed. NLMK experts’ participation in this work allowed finding the most efficient 
solutions for the city and significantly optimizing the amount of investment while 
maintaining the cleaning targets.

WATER WITHDRAWAL 
 GRI 303-1, GRI 303-2 

NLMK companies withdraw a small proportion of their water from external sources 
for production and drinking purposes (less than 4% of the Group’s total water 
consumption). Maintaining the same low level of freshwater intake as production 
volumes grow is an important objective of NLMK Group. For industrial water supplies, 
the companies use water from surface water bodies, underground sources, and 
rainfall. NLMK Group companies do not use wastewater from other organizations. 

The Group’s companies do not withdraw water from wetlands included on the Ramsar 
List of Wetlands of International Importance or from water bodies located within 
environmental conservation sites.

The water bodies that supply NLMK companies are assessed as being not particularly 
vulnerable given their size, role, or status as being rare, threatened, or endangered. 

The Group’s companies withdraw water in accordance with current permits and 
have no significant impact on the water sources in question. Water withdrawal by 
NLMK Group companies does not exceed 2.5% of the average annual water flow 
volume  GRI 303-5 .

The Group’s companies are focused on reducing the volume and improving the quality 
of wastewater produced, which is in line with the IMS Policy of NLMK Group. In 2020,  
the Lipetsk site started working on a project for feeding treated household 
wastewater back into the company production water supply, which will reduce 
the intake of fresh natural water by 2 to 8 million m3.

TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER CONSUMED BY NLMK GROUP   
 GRI 303-3, GRI 303-5 

7.5

5.5

124

138

7.0

4.9

119

131

6.8

4.7

118

130

7.5

5.3

118

130

7.2

5.1

113

125

91

84

81

82

81

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Total water withdrawn for production needs and domestic purposes, m m3
Water consumption for production needs, m m3
Consumptive water use (the difference between total water intake and wastewater disposal), m m3 
Specific consumptive water use, m3/t of steel
Specific consumption of fresh water for production needs, m3/t of steel

TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER 
WITHDRAWN FOR NLMK GROUP 
PRODUCTION NEEDS BY REGION, 
2020, M M3  GRI 303-3 

In 2020, there was a downward trend in water consumption volumes compared  
to 2019, and a five-year low of natural water consumption for industrial and 
household needs was reached, thanks to operational measures to control water 
consumption and eliminate leaks.

30.0

83.4

Russian companies
International companies

At the same time, 74% of the water consumed for production needs by the Group’s 
international companies is direct-flow water for cooling equipment, which is not 
polluted during use and is fully returned to the natural environment unchanged.

Over the last 40 years the annual withdrawal of fresh water from the Voronezh River 
by the Group’s core site in Lipetsk has been reduced by over nine times down  
to 21 million m3/year (from the level of 189 million m3/year in 1980 when production 
output was merely 9 million tonnes).

TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER WITHDRAWN FOR NLMK GROUP PRODUCTION  
NEEDS BY SOURCE, 2016–2020, M M3  GRI 303-3 

Indicator

Surface water

Ground water

Rainwater collected and stored by 
organization

Group total

Group total excl. direct-flow water  
for cooling equipment and mine drainage 
water (not used in the water loop)

2016

61.5

62.6

0.1

124.3

57.0

2017

60.9

58.1

0.1

119.1

54.6

2018

60.1

58.0

0.1

118.2

537

2019

60.9

57.1

0.1

118.2

54.1

2020

58.4

54.9

0.1

113.4

53.1

WATER WITHDRAWAL FROM THE VORONEZH RIVER,  
LIPETSK SITE

9.1

189.3

9.8

138.9

8.2

9.3

96.5

21.8

1980

1990

2000

2010

Water withdrawal from the Voronezh river, m m3
Crude steel output, m t

12.3

21.3

2020

WATER WITHDRAWAL 
(CONSUMPTION, INCL. FROM 
WATER UTILITIES) FOR 
POTABLE WATER SUPPLY AT 
NLMK GROUP’S COMPANIES,  
M M3  GRI 303-3 

13.4

12.2 12.3 12.0

11.1

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

170

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Appendix

The regions where the Group operates 
offer a high availability of water 
resources. The Group has no operations 
in water-stressed areas. According  
to the UN methodology, a region or 
country is considered water-deficient  
if its annual water supply is below 
1,700 m3 per person. The regions where 
NLMK Group companies are located  
are not water-deficient. Only one 
location, namely the Belgorod Region 
where Stoilensky is situated, is exposed 
to a local water shortage as related to 
potable and household water supply in 
some areas of the region during dry 
years (not in the area where Stoilensky 
operates). Recognizing the importance 
of preserving the water resources 
in light of shortage risks, Stoilensky 
is implementing projects to cut down 
potable water consumption and taking 
action to protect water resources 
from the harmful effects of operations, 
including though better safety and 
the reliability of hydraulic structures. 
A dedicated certified laboratory 
regularly samples and checks the quality 
of water withdrawn, sewerage and water 
bodies in the area of potential impact. 
In 2020, Stoilensky started working on 

a  roject to redirect pumped clean mine drainage waters directly into the water body 
without using them in the water-loop cycle, this way the company plans to return 
a valuable resource in the form of non-polluted water to the natural environment.

DISCHARGE

Monitoring of discharge into water bodies at all sites is an important environmental 
aspect of NLMK Group’s operations.

The Group’s international companies mainly discharge water that is used for cooling 
equipment in once-through systems. This water does not get polluted in use and 
is returned into water bodies in the same condition as it was withdrawn, without 
disrupting the natural state of the environment.

TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER DISCHARGE BY NLMK GROUP,  
INCLUDING RUSSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES,  
2020, M M3  GRI 303-4, GRI 306-1 

15.8

27.5

Russian companies
International companies

TOTAL VOLUME OF DISCHARGE BY RECEIVING WATER BODY, M M3  
 GRI 303-4, GRI 306-1 

Indicator

Total volume of water discharge  
for NLMK Group1

Water discharge as % from total  
water supply

Into surface water bodies, including 
rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and canals

including into seas and oceans

Transferred to third-party  
organizations for treatment

Specific water discharge1,  
m3/t of steel

2016

46.5

1

44.4

0.2

2.1

7.5

2017

47.3

1

45.2

0.2

2.1

7.0

2018

49.0

1

46.8

0.3

2.1

6.8

2019

47.7

1

45.7

0.3

2.0

7.5

2020

43.3

1

41.6

0.3

1.7

7.2

RECYCLED AND REUSED  
WATER

In order to reduce their negative impact 
on water resources, the majority of 
NLMK Group’s companies are equipped 
with water recycling systems. This also 
mitigates the Group’s water-related 
risks.

Water recycling solutions have been put 
in place at 14 NLMK Group assets. These 
solutions include both local systems  
for individual facilities and entirely 
self-contained subsidiary-wide systems. 
This helps to reduce water withdrawal 
and effluent discharge into surface 
water bodies. The share of recycled 
water supply at NLMK Group remains 
at a consistently high level. The goal of 
Strategy 2022 is to maintain a recycled 
water supply of at least 96% amid 
increasing production output.

The figures provided for recycled 
water supply show the additional water 
consumption by NLMK Group that would 
have occurred if no water recycling  
had been in place at its enterprises.

SHARE OF RECYCLED WATER  
IN NLMK GROUP’S TOTAL WATER 
CONSUMPTION, %

VOLUME OF WATER RECYCLED  
AT NLMK GROUP COMPANIES,  
M M3

96.3 96.4 96.5 96.6 96.6

3,193 3,173 3,265 3,312 3,186

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

POTABLE AND PUBLIC WATER CONSUMPTION  
AT STOILENSKY, ‘000 M3

1,183

885

650

610

428

391

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

1  Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, http://www.mnr.gov.ru/en/

1 

Industrial and household wastewater, total.

172

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Appendix

ACTIONS TO REDUCE DISCHARGES OF HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER  
INTO THE VORONEZH RIVER 

Actions

Environmental improvement

AIR EMISSIONS

Overhaul of mechanical treatment facilities of NLMK’s LWWTP, local wastewater 
treatment plants (repair of the sand traps and grease traps)

Improving the efficiency of NLMK's LWWTP (optimizing the process performance)

Reduction of water disposal through LWWTP due to the redistribution of flows 
in the plant's water supply system and restoration of the tightness household 
sewerage wells

Monitoring of the state of networks and structures of NLMK’s household sewerage 
system (detection and prevention of unauthorized discharges of wastewater into 
the plant's sewage networks)

Interaction with the Lipetsk municipal sanitation agency (improvement  
of wastewater quality and minimization of residential wastewater discharges  
to the plant’s sewage networks)

At 2020 year-end compared to 2019:

 ● Volume of wastewater disposal 
reduced by 0.7 million m3 (−8%)
Inflow of pollutants into the water 
body reduced by 1,900 tonnes (−19%)

 ●

In 2020, actions were taken at  
the main site in Lipetsk to reduce 
discharges of household wastewater 
into the Voronezh River.

Each company makes use of water 
purification and treatment technologies 
that ensure the quality of wastewater 
as well as water used for industrial 

and domestic purposes meets the standards set by applicable regulations. 
The appropriate methods are applied according to the type of wastewater in 
question (mechanical purification, oil/water interceptors, biological purification, 
decontamination). All discharged materials have a mineral content of less than 
1,000 mg/L. No untreated discharges are made into water bodies   GRI 304-4 .

The Company’s Environmental Strategy sets the goal of reducing the discharge of 
pollutants with wastewater into water bodies by 25% compared to 2018. The Group 
companies develop and implement projects aimed at achieving this target.

POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED  
INTO WATER BODIES  
WITH WASTEWATER, ‘000 T

16.2
15.7
13.5 12.7

17.6

11.2

15.3

10.0

12.5

8.2

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

NLMK Group
NLMK Lipetsk

NLMK Lipetsk implemented a project to reduce the discharge  
of pollutants into water bodies

NLMK Lipetsk implemented an investment project to upgrade local wastewater 
treatment facilities. In line with the project, the cleaning units (aerotanks)  
were upgraded and a pontoon pumping station was built to reduce the unbalanced  
water and use it for BF slag processing. The goal of the project was to achieve 
the standards for 13 substances out of 19 released into the Voronezh River. 
The total investment in the project amounted to RUB 118 million. The project 
helped to reduce maximum concentrations for all substances, while average 
annual concentrations reached the established standards for 15 out of 
19 indicators.

Over the last five years, the volume of water disposal at the Lipetsk site was 
reduced by 4.2 million m3 (−34%), the mass of substances going into the river  
was reduced by 5,300 tonnes (−39%).

Going forward, NLMK Group is considering the possibility of using wastewater 
treated in LWWTPs in the technical water supply system to seize the discharge 
of household wastewater into the Voronezh River.

NLMK Group devotes considerable 
efforts to reducing its air emissions. 
The Group’s Strategy 2022 includes 
a target of reducing specific air 
emissions from 18.9 kg/t in 2018 to  
18.0 kg/t of steel by 2023.

In order to attain this target,  
the Environmental Programme 2022 
envisages over 30 investment projects 
that aim to reduce the impact on 
the atmosphere. When upgrading its 
purification equipment, NLMK seeks 
to integrate and utilize best available 
technologies (BAT). 

In 2020, NLMK Group made an inventory 
of all existing de-dusting systems  
to check their compliance with  
the requirements of environmental 
protection and dustiness at 
the workplace. Following the inventory, 
deficiencies were identified and  
a long-term de-dusting system upgrade 

programme was developed. The Company plans to start working on priority projects 
under this programme already in 2021.

As part of the four-way Cooperation Agreement between NLMK Group, the Russian 
Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Federal Supervisory 
Natural Resources Management Service (Rosprirodnadzor), and the Administration 
of the Lipetsk Region, signed in summer 2019, by the end of 2020 NLMK Lipetsk 
implemented 5 out of 9 activities planned by 2024. They are aimed at implementing 
the Ecology National Project and reducing gross air emissions in the atmosphere. 
The total emissions reduction was 9,000 tonnes. Substantial environmental investment 
of $1.3 billion since 2000 reduced NLMK Group’s specific emissions by more than 
a half: from 43.3 to 19.8 kg/tonne of steel. Overall, with almost a two-fold increase in 
production the amount of cumulative impact on the environment was reduced by 10%.

Lipetsk: one of Russia’s cleanest steelmaking centres

Since 2014 the city of Lipetsk, which is home to NLMK Group’s largest asset, has 
been officially recognized as the ‘cleanest’ steelmaking city in Russia, according 
to data from Russia’s Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental 
Monitoring (Roshydromet). Thanks to environmental protection measures 
implemented at the Lipetsk site, the Integrated Air Pollution Index (IAPI)1 in Lipetsk 
decreased almost ten-fold from 2000 to 2020.

1  The IAPI indicator, which was developed and calculated by Roshydromet, is used by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment  

to conduct scientific assessments of air pollution in Russian cities.

174

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
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Appendix

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME EMISSION REDUCTION PROJECTS  
IMPLEMENTED IN 2019–2020

Site

Measure

Effect

NLMK Lipetsk

Revamp of de-dusting systems, replacement 
of hot-blast stoves and re-tooling of slag 
granulation plants during overhauls of Blast 
Furnace No. 6

 ● Reduction of H2S, SO2, dust, and CO, elimination  

of visible emissions

 ● Achieving a 99.9% purification rate, returning 100%  

of the captured dust to production

 ● Total effect – 5,663 tpa

Upgrade of de-dusting systems during  
the overhaul of Blast Furnace No. 4

 ● Dust emissions reduction, elimination of visible 

emissions

Reconstruction of off-gas ducts  
at BOF No. 2 and 3 and construction  
of secondary emission treatment  
systems at BOF Shop No. 2

 ● Achieving a 99.9% purification rate, returning 100%  

of the captured dust to production

 ● Total effect – 234 tpa

 ● Reduction of dust and CO, elimination of visible 

emissions

 ● Achieving a 99.9% purification rate, returning 100%  

of the captured dust to production

 ● Total effect – 3,096 tpa

Revamp of the de-dusting unit (ATU-24)  
in the refractory shop

 ● Over 90% reduction in dust emissions at the facility
 ● Performance of de-dusting system up by 20%  

Revamp of by-product collection facilities, 
including merging of coke gas flows from 
coke batteries

Construction of a new section  
for waterless slag cooling of all slag 
generated in BF Shop No. 1

Stoilensky

Technical re-equipment of the crushing 
and screening area de-dusting unit (DU-1), 
Beneficiation Plant

to 240,000 m3/h
 ● Total effect – 81 tpa

 ● Reduction of phenol by 66%, H2S by 31% 

 ● Full transition to waterless slag cooling, reduction  

of H2S emission

 ● The overall effect is a 3.5x reduction in hydrogen  

sulfide emissions at the site

 ● Additional capture of 700 tonnes of dust was 

implemented. The risk of exceeding the maximum 
permissible emissions at the source is eliminated,  
four-fold reduction in dust concentration at 
the workplace ensured

 ● Emission purification level increased from 35% to 96%

Blast Furnace No. 4 becomes  
cleaner

NLMK Lipetsk completed an upgrade 
of Blast Furnace No. 4 with a capacity 
of 2.1 million tonnes of pig iron per 
year. 

The project includes an environmental 
upgrade of the furnace infrastructure. 
All the dust generated during hot 
metal production will be captured  
by a highly efficient de-dusting 

system. The system ensures a purification efficiency of 99.9%, which is in line with 
the best available technologies. The new equipment will also enable more efficient 
blast furnace gas treatment for it to be utilized as a secondary energy source. 
Filtered dust will be utilized in the production of iron-containing briquettes,  
or fed back into the blast furnace process. As part of the project, the furnace 
was equipped with a new lining, special refractory blocks that will enhance 
the resistance of the furnace’s internal surface to thermal loads. Technical 
solutions and advanced materials will ensure stable operation of the furnace  
for the next 20 years. 

After the furnace overhaul, emissions are expected to reduce by 200 tonnes 
per year. After the associated upgrade of air heaters is completed in 2022, 
the reduction in gross emissions will total 7,700 tonnes per year.

In 2020, gross emissions decreased  
by 4,000 tonnes (by 1.3%) compared  
to 2019. Specific emissions per tonne  
of steel were also reduced, driven  
by implemented investment projects. 
Specific emissions display a planned 
decline towards the target of 18.0 kg/t 
of steel in 2023 with production output 
kept flat.

74% of NLMK Group’s emissions consist 
of carbon monoxide, a low-hazard 
substance of hazard class IV, which is 
not regulated as a harmful substance 
in many countries, and cannot harm 
human health, since it comes from high 
pipes, is lighter than air, and is dispersed 
without forming high concentrations  
in the surface layers of the atmosphere. 
At the same time, substances of hazard 
classes I–II account for only 0.2% of 
the Group’s gross emissions.

SPECIFIC VOLUME OF AIR 
EMISSIONS BY NLMK GROUP 

NLMK GROUP’S EMISSIONS  
BY HAZARD CLASS, %

20.0 19.5

18.9

16.6

17.1

17.5

20.2 19.8

18.91

18.61

15.7

15.8

332 334 332

317

313

<1 0.2

7

8

10

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Emissions total, '000 t
Steel output, m t
Specific emissions, kg/t

74

IV carbon oxide
III sulfur oxide
III nitrogen oxides
III dust
III-IV other
I-II class

I  –  Extremely hazardous
II  –  Highly hazardous 
III  –  Moderately hazardous 
IV –  Low-hazard substance

Road sweeping machines for NLMK 
and the city of Lipetsk

In the summer of 2020, NLMK Lipetsk 
purchased two road-sweeping 
machines. They will be used to clean 
industrial roads with high dust 
content on the territory of the plant 
and in the city of Lipetsk. They are 
able to remove up to 2,000 tonnes of 
dust from the plant’s roads annually.

Sergey Evseev, Head of NLMK’s 
Industrial Ecology Department, said: 
“The new equipment was delivered  
to the plant as part of measures  

to reduce dust content on site. Dust from production facilities settles on roads  
and secondary dusting is possible in windy weather. The new road-sweeping 
machines will reduce the dustiness of the plant’s roads and improve the air quality 
on its territory and in the city.”

Swiss Aebi Schmidt sweepers work as a washing vacuum cleaner and suck all 
the dust into a special hopper when cleaning. The efficiency of road surface cleaning  
is 98–99%, which is significantly higher than the usual dry and wet cleaning methods. 

The sweeper has a high level of dust suppression. This is achieved through filters 
for additional air purification and swirling dust flows. When the machine is running, 
the amount of fine dust particles released into the air is significantly lower than  
the established standard. 

The new sweepers are also equipped with a recirculation system for water, which 
can be reused after filtration.

176

177

1  Specific emissions w/o the impact of temporary decline in production output at NLMK EAF assets and NLMK Lipetsk amid overhauls of blast furnace  

and steelmaking operations

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Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

VOLUME OF SIGNIFICANT AIR EMISSIONS BY NLMK GROUP  
BY SUBSTANCE TYPE  GRI 305-7 

Indicator

Total, ‘000 t

NOx emissions, '000 t

per unit of production, kg/t

SO2 emissions, '000 t

per unit of production, kg/t

Particulate matter emissions, '000 t

per unit of production, kg/t

2016

332.4

24.8

1.5

28.9

1.7

25.2

1.5

2017

333.8

27.1

1.6

31.8

1.9

25.7

1.5

2018

331.5

27.2

1.6

31.7

1.8

24.4

1.4

2019

317.0

26.2

1.7

29.5

1.9

22.5

1.4

СО emissions, '000 t

249.6

245.9

244.8

235.3

per unit of production, kg/t

Volatile organic compounds, '000 t

Hazard class 1 substances1, t

per unit of production1, g/t

Hazard class 2 substances1, t

per unit of production1, kg/t

The increase in the specific SO2 
emissions compared to previous 
periods is due to a change in 
the coking charge mix: the share 
of additives with a high sulfur content 
was increased. This did not lead to 
exceeding the maximum permissible 
concentrations. The SO2 emission 
standards are met. In order to minimize 
the consequences of the increase 
in the sulfur content in the charge, 
NLMK Group started developing 
a project for the construction of 
a desulphurization plant.

15.0

2.6

1.4

0.09

560

0.04

14.4

2.6

1.2

0.07

552

0.03

14.0

2.7

1.3

0.08

547

0.03

15.0

2.8

1.2

0.08

514

0.03

NLMK Lipetsk cuts Н2S emissions

NLMK Lipetsk has launched an anhydrous cooling system for blast furnace slag 
as part of its environmental upgrade programme. This will enable it to reduce 
hydrogen sulfide emissions in the corresponding area by 3.5x and keep the smell 
from this chemical compound to a minimum. 

The implementation of the complex marks the full transition of NLMK Lipetsk’s 
Blast Furnace Shop No. 1 (three blast furnaces) to dry slag cooling technology. 
The complex was built in place of a slag dump that had been accumulating 
since the 1970s. Close to 6 million tonnes of various materials were processed 
and more than 300,000 tonnes of iron were fed back into steel production in 
the course of the project.

2020

313.3

26.1

1.7

31.0

2.0

23.0

1.4

230.1

14.5

2.6

1.2

0.08

480

0.03

WASTE HANDLING AND SOUND USE  
OF NATURAL RESOURCES 

WASTE MANAGEMENT

NLMK Group’s waste-handling operations 
are orientated towards key modern 
steelmaking trends: minimizing waste 
generation and increasing the proportion 
of waste that is processed, reused, and 
safely disposed of. For example, a priority 
of the Environmental Programme 2022 is 
to increase waste utilization and recycling 
at NLMK Group to 92% (not including 
such mining waste as overburden and 
beneficiation tailings). Utilization includes 
reuse, recycling, and disposal.

NLMK Group utilizes some of the waste generated at its sites in the course of its 
own activities, and transfers some for reuse by specialized organizations that hold 
relevant licences. 

The potential environmental impact is minimized through compliance with safe waste-
handling standards and by implementing corresponding measures.

In 2020, total waste generation increased by 14% (by 7.8 million tonnes) due to 
increased mining output at Stoilensky. The share of recycled waste in 2020, excluding 
overburden and tailings, increased by 3% compared to 2019 and by 6% compared 
to the baseline in 2018, thanks to the processing of iron-containing sludge at 
the Briquetting Plant built in 2019. The share of processed sludge increased from 47%  
in 2018 to 87% in 2020. Going forward, the Company plans to process the entire volume 
of generated sludge at the plant and start processing the accumulated sludge.

TOTAL WASTE GENERATED AND UTILIZED BY NLMK GROUP, M T   GRI 306-2 

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Indicator

Waste generation1 

Secondary raw materials recycled  
by the companies

Secondary raw materials recycled  
by third-party organizations

Waste disposal at third-party  
landfills, %

Recycling of secondary iron-containing 
raw materials, %

1.0

2.2

0.7

4

90

1.5

1.9

1.0

5

91

OVERBURDEN AND BENEFICIATION TAILINGS GENERATED AND UTILIZED  
BY THE GROUP, M T   GRI 306-2 

Indicator

Stoilensky overburden  
and beneficiation tailings

Overburden generation2

Share of utilized overburden, %

Generated beneficiation tailings

Utilized beneficiation tailings, %

2016

55.3

50.3

26

17.6

25

2017

53.9

48.5

25

18.2

25

1.5

1.8

1.2

4

93

2018

46.6

39.8

26

19.5

25

1.5

1.9

1.2

4

99

2019

53.7

51.3

29

20.5

26

1.4

2.0

1.2

3

99

2020

61.4

60.5

29

21.4

24

1  Russian assets.

178

1  Without taking into account secondary raw materials recycled by the companies.
2  The total volume of generated overburden is indicated. For Stagdok and Dolomit, overburden is not waste and is used for backfilling post-mining areas  
of the mine, as it is developed ‘to the side’, in contrast to Stoilensky, where the mine is being developed primarily ‘into the depths’, and the resulting 
overburden is mostly considered waste by Russian law, even though it is a non-hazardous inert material.

179

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Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

WASTE GENERATED BY  
NLMK GROUP BY HAZARD CLASS, 
2020, ‘000 T  GRI 306-2 

1,561.1

63.4

0.6

0.1

64,281.8

62,656.6 

Class V 
(including 61,393.6 
of mining waste)
Class IV
Class III
Class II
Class I

NLMK Lipetsk increased recycling of secondary raw materials

As part of its Environmental Programme, NLMK Lipetsk continued to implement 
projects to utilize recyclables and reduce the impact on the surrounding areas. 
The plant processed a 25 ha slag dump with the total weight of accumulated 
slag exceeding 5 million tonnes.

The slag dump started to accumulate when the first blast furnace was 
launched on the left bank of the Voronezh River in 1934. Blast furnace slag 
was drained at a special site far from the residential sector and gradually 
accumulated, some of it was processed for the needs of road construction. 
Targeted processing of the slag dump began in 2018 and was completed  
in just two years.

About a tenth of the recyclables in the dump are metal scrap, varying in size, 
which was extracted by magnetic separation during processing. The resulting 
raw materials were used in ironmaking and steelmaking, while the remaining 
waste rock was utilized in construction.

RECYCLING OF SECONDARY  
IRON-CONTAINING  
RAW MATERIALS1, %

99

99

The Company’s approach is to minimize waste generation, recycle as many secondary 
resources as possible in its own process cycle, and ensure that the remaining 
unused materials are processed, either internally or by third-party companies. 
The implementation of the recycling programme will ensure an increase in the rate of 
internal processing of secondary raw materials at the Lipetsk site from 81% to 94%.

93

90

91

Each company of the Group annually develops measures aimed at reducing waste 
generation, increasing its upcycling in the companies’ operations, and reducing waste 
disposal at landfills.

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

99.8% of the waste generated  
by NLMK Group in 2020 was non-
hazardous.

97.5% of the waste generated by  
the Group’s Russian sites is classified  
as Hazard Class 5 (non-hazardous).  
This waste category has virtually  
no impact on ecosystems and requires 
no special handling measures, including 
licensing.

Currently the Group companies  
process the absolute majority  
of secondary resources. In order 
to attain its targets, the Company 
instituted a recycling programme  
with over 15 projects.

Crushed stone and crushed stone mixtures obtained during the processing  
of steelmaking slags are an example of upcycling material. Construction companies 
widely use this type of materials for the construction of roads, reclamation  
of disturbed land, and strengthening the banks of reservoirs.

In the reporting year, NLMK Kaluga implemented an initiative to sift the residues  
from the cleaning of wagons to obtain man-made soil, which will be used as  
a material for reclamation. This will reduce the volume of waste placed at landfills  
by 7,000–8,000 tonnes per year.

In 2020, together with its partners NLMK Group managed to produce carbonized 
bricks from steel slag with a compression strength of 10 MPa (M100). The properties 
of this material enable it to be used in the construction industry, at the same time 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Company continues to develop the project 
for the transition to industrial production of this material.

Production lifecycle

NLMK Group companies manufacture steel products that can be fully assimilated into 
the environment once they are no longer of use to consumers. In this regard, ferrous 
metal products are a valuable raw material that can be reused in steelmaking.

All steel produced by NLMK Group companies can be recycled and reprocessed. 
About 35% of the liquid steel output is produced from ferrous scrap. NLMK Group’s 
operations are part of the circular economy.

1  When calculating the recycling index, data on the total generation and utilization of iron-containing waste and associated products is used. Mining waste is 

not factored in. In addition to iron-containing waste, the recycling index takes into account slags, slurries, gas cleaning dust, and ferrous metal scrap, which, 
in accordance with the process and national legislation, are not waste and are marketed or used for the company needs.

Class V 

(including 61,393.6 
of mining waste)

Class IV

Class III

Class II

Class I

Vtorchermet NLMK – a leader  
in scrap ferrous metal 
reprocessing

One NLMK Group asset, torchermet 
NLMK, is an industry leader in scrap  
metal processing technology. 
It collects and processes scrap 
ferrous metals, and supplies  
NLMK Ural, NLMK Kaluga, and  
NLMK Lipetsk with 85% of the high-
quality scrap metal they need for 
steelmaking. The scrap metal that 
arrives at Vtorchermet NLMK is 
given a second life in the form of 
products that are in high demand 
across various industries: rebar, 
steel duct, brackets, wire, fixing 
products, and flat-rolled products. 
Processing scrap metal helps both 
rid the environment of scrap and 
significantly reduce consumption  
of natural resources and energy. 

Vtorchermet NLMK is a member 
of RUSLOM.COM, an organization 
whose mission and objectives include 
safeguarding Russia’s access to raw 
materials and environmental safety 
by returning recycled resources 
to the economy and creating 
a high-tech and efficient sector for 
handling scrap metal and industrial 
and consumer waste.

TAILINGS DAMS AND HYDRAULIC  
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES

The organizational structure of NLMK Group includes dedicated services and units 
responsible for the safety of hydraulic structures.

The Stoilenskoye iron ore deposit is mined using the open-pit method. NLMK Group’s 
sole tailings dams are located at Stoilensky. They were established in 1984, and are 
being built on the upstream slope. Throughout their operation, no environmental 
incidents related to the tailings dam systems and structures have been recorded.

The safe operation of the tailings dam is ensured by means of a number of internal  
and independent inspections, including:
 ● Water level control at least twice a day.
 ● Visual inspection of engineering structures at least once a day.
 ● Quality control of tailings at least once a quarter.
 ● Quality control of tailings at least once a quarter.
 ● Control of water filtration at the dams at least once a month.
 ● The facility’s safety is checked weekly by inspectors from the Federal .
 ● Service for Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service 

(Rostechnadzor).

 ● Environmental compliance assessment twice a month.
 ● Geological survey is carried out annually.
 ● Planned inspections of the dam’s technical condition and safety are performed 

annually involving specialized government agencies.

 ● Hydraulic engineering structures at the tailings dam are checked involving 

government organizations, the general designer, and expert organizations  
at least once every three years.

In September 2018, a comprehensive survey of Stoilensky TMF hydraulic engineering 
structures was conducted together with representatives of Rostechnadzor, 
EMERCOM, and other specialized government agencies and entities. The survey 
assessed the ultimate safety level of the Stoilensky tailings hydraulic engineering 
structures as ‘normal’ (the best possible option).

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About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

There is a local warning system in 
place at Stoilensky and its operability 
is checked monthly by Stoilensky’s own 
staff and Rostechnadzor specialists. 
A contingency plan for hydraulic 
structures at the tailings dam has 
been drafted and is updated each year. 
Staff training is administered at least 
once a month. In April 2019, training 
sessions were held with participation 
of experts from EMERCOM. There is 
no need to monitor seismic activity in 
the area according to the appropriate 
determination of a specialized state 
committee.

The water level in the tailings dam is 
maintained at the level more than  
2 m below the crest of the dams, which 
meets the current safety criteria. 
In 2020, 762,000 m3 of tailings, rock 
soil, and crushed stone were used in 
the construction of the tailings storage 
facilities, 5,840 m of slurry pipelines 
were installed, and 4 ha of the dam 
slopes were reclaimed. In order to 
further increase the height of the dump 
protection dam, the necessary amount 
of engineering and geological surveys 
and a verification calculation of the dam 
stability were carried out, according 
to which the structure design provides 

a stability coefficient higher than the standard one. The cost of the tailings storage 
maintenance programme amounted to RUB 241 million.

In accordance with the regulatory requirements, a survey of the hydraulic complex of 
the tailings storage facility is planned for 2021 with the involvement of state agencies, 
the general designer, and expert organizations.

The Group duly informs local communities about the existence of the tailings dam  
and holds regular public hearings regarding the development of the facility.

Stoilensky has introduced an Environmental Management System in accordance  
with ISO 14001:2015.

EFFICIENT TAILINGS STORAGE TECHNOLOGY

Stoilensky, one of Russia’s leading iron ore producers, uses an efficient and 
environmentally friendly treatment process for the beneficiation of waste  
rock. It involves liquid extraction followed by the forced transfer of thickened  
tailings to storage. This process returns 80% of industrial water used during 
transportation back into the beneficiation process. Additionally, the better  
resilience of thickened tailings to weathering significantly reduces the dust levels 
at the tailings dam. As there is no way for excessive water to come into the facility, 
the overflow risk is mitigated and pressure on the dams is reduced. Thus, given 
that the tailings are thickened and measures are taken to ensure the safety of 
hydraulic structures, the risk of dam failure at Stoilensky is under control and has 
a conditionally acceptable level. Estimates indicate that a transition to fully dry 
storage of tailings at Stoilensky would inevitability lead to strong dusting, and  
it would be impossible to completely curb dust, especially in summer. In light of this, 
the Group considers dry tailings storage to be an unacceptable environmental  
risk and considers tailings thickening to be the most effective technology for 
managing environmental risks.

The perfect recipe to get rid of dust

suppression will be used on dry beaches of the tailing dump. Its main ‘ingredient’  
is a special reagent that was tested during a pilot experiment.

In 2021, Stoilensky plans to carry out 
dust collection activities on the dry 
beaches of the tailing dump. It plans  
to build a flexible hose irrigation 
system. RUB 135 million were allocated 
for the project implementation.  
The current system was based  
on a rigid metal frame. As a result,  
as the compartments were filled, some 
of the pipelines were flooded and could 
not be used, and the emerging new 
beaches were not irrigated. 

During the construction of the new 
system, an innovative ‘recipe’ for dust 

The tailings storage facility occupies an area of 1,000 hectares, where processing 
waste, tailings, which are basically fine sand, is stored. Over time, influenced  
by the sun and wind, it will dry up and dust in dry, windy periods. 

NLMK experts were able to successfully apply the method of spraying a solution  
of a special reagent that binds the surface, turning the fine sand into a crust.  
The effect after applying the solution persists for three months. The reagent itself 
is a kind of non-toxic glue that binds the surface of the material, forming a dense 
top layer. At the same time, it makes it possible for water to penetrate through it, 
so that there are no puddles and there is no flooding. 

Next year, according to the programme for the development of the tailings 
workshop, it is planned to treat 120 hectares of the tailings storage facility with  
the reagent solution.

BIODIVERSITY

NLMK Group conducts operations  
on both industrial lands and residential 
areas in line with applicable law.  
The Company’s activities have no direct 
significant impacts on biodiversity  
 GRI 304-2 .

In 2020, the area of NLMK Group’s 
companies decreased by 2 hectares. 
Fluctuations in the area over the years 
are insignificant and are associated 
with the opening and closing of NLMK 
Vtorchermet scrap collection sites.

NLMK Group production sites are not 
located on sites that are situated 
on environmentally protected land  
or on land with a high biodiversity value.  
NLMK Group’s activities do not pose 
any threat to animal or plant species 
registered on the IUCN Red List  
or in the Russian Red Book, or  
to species threatened with extinction  
 GRI 304-1, GRI 304-4 . With a view to preserve  
biodiversity on the territory of the 
Group companies, it is prohibited to 
destroy or damage greenery, build 
fires, hunt, and fish. These requirements 
are the same for both personnel and 
employees of contracting organizations. 
All places of water intake from surface 
water bodies are equipped with fish 
protection devices. The sites’ location 
does not prevent the movement  
of migratory birds.

NLMK Group organized comprehensive 
assessment of possible involvement 
in biodiversity conservation projects. 
NLMK Lipetsk, Stoilensky, and Altai-Koks 
developed programmes for biodiversity 
conservation.

In 2020, NLMK Group invested close 
to RUB 4 million into biodiversity 
research and conservation, including 
compensatory measures.

AREA OCCUPIED BY GROUP COMPANIES AND  
REHABILITATED LAND, HA  GRI G4-MM1 

Indicator

Area

Land rehabilitated

2019

11,898

15

2020

11,896

10

Swan Lake Environmental Park: a natural indicator of NLMK’s  
commitment to a clean environment and biodiversity

Swan Lake Environmental Park was created by NLMK employees in 1978.  
It is the only bioindicator in Russia and the former Soviet Union that is situated 
on the territory of an industrial site. The lake is filled with process water from 
the Lipetsk site that has undergone treatment following its use in production. 
The environmental park occupies more than 5 hectares of land situated 
between the BOF shops of the Lipetsk site. It is home to come 500 birds of over 
40 species, including 20 rare species. The lake is also inhabited by fish (common 
and bighead carps), which helps ensure that the waterfowl have a natural diet. 
Many bird species can only live in natural or near-wildlife conditions. The quality 
of the environment in the park allows these picky and demanding birds to enjoy 
long lives and reproduce regularly.

In 2020, joint activities were carried out with the Oka State Natural Biosphere 
Reserve, a nursery of rare crane species, as part of the Eurasian Regional 
Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ programme for conservation of cranes  
of Eurasia.

The Conservation of Cranes of Eurasia programme involves determining the sex 
of all cranes kept in captivity and drawing up a genetic ID for each captive bird. 
In addition, genetic studies of cranes in Russia are being conducted in order to 
identify subspecies, genetic features of individual populations that will help both 
breeding in captivity and reintroduction into nature. Under the programme, 
the Company sent for research six blood samples from the Japanese crane and 
the belladonna crane, both Red Book species, living on the Swan Lake. Thanks 
to the genetic database of cranes kept in zoos in Russia, created by the Oka 
Reserve, NLMK hopes to find a male Daurian crane not related to NLMK’s female, 
for mating. 

Swan Lake works closely with other leading Russian zoos and nature reserves  
to grow and replenish the animal populations. As part of this cooperation,  
in 2021, 127 new birds belonging to 21 different species will move from  
the Vorob’i (Sparrows) and Malinki (Raspberries) bird parks, and the Penza  
and Lipetsk Zoos to a new place of comfortable residence in Swan Lake.

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Representatives of Belogorye 
Nature Reserve conducted 
research at Stoilensky

Stoilensky cooperates with  
the Belogorye Nature Reserve 
in the study and conservation 
of the biodiversity of terrestrial 
and aquatic ecosystems. Reserve 
experts have compiled a list  
of animals and plants that are 
found in the area of the floodplain 
of the Chufichka River, where  
the head dam of the company  
is located, and forest areas close  
to the Stoilensky territory.

Scientists note that foxes, hare, 
weasel, as well as roe deer and 
wild boar inhabit these lands, while 
in the floodplain of the Chufichka 
River there are minks, beavers,  
and river otters.

Among the birds, the common 
turtledove, quail, and crake, rare 
species that are included in the new 
lists of the Red Book, have been 
noticed. As for the Red Book plants, 
forest anemone, whole-leaved 
clematis, spring primrose, and 
grasshopper can be found on this 
territory. 

Following the results of the study, 
the reserve’s researchers will 
develop measures to rehabilitate 
the environment and preserve  
its biodiversity.

Altai-Koks replenishes fish stocks at the Verkhneobsky basin

NLMK Group’s company located in Zarinsk, Altai Territory has developed a six-
year programme for the conservation of aquatic biological resources and their 
habitat. As part of this programme, the company plans to release more than 
100,000 juvenile carp into the rivers. In 2020, about 27,000 juvenile fish were 
already released to the Verkhneobsky basin within a radius of 30 km from Barnaul 
as compensatory measures to offset water intake from the Chumysh River.

The Group regularly implements measures that aim to rehabilitate land disturbed  
by the operations of its extractive companies. The treatment of deposit sites includes 
phased rehabilitation work to restore the landscape and its plant cover and to 
enable plants to grow again in the soil  GRI 304-3 . Reclamation programmes have been 
developed and are publicly available on the websites of the Mining Division companies. 
The programmes are being implemented as planned. In 2020, rehabilitation was 
carried out on 10 hectares of disturbed land. More than RUB 10 million was spent  
on reclamation and improvement works. 

NLMK Lipetsk finished autumn planting of greenery

NLMK Lipetsk completed the autumn stage of its territory landscaping 
programme. 

With a view to maintain an environmentally efficient green barrier, almost  
1,100 trees and about 4,600 shrubs were planted on the industrial site and along 
the internal roads, and about 3,000 square meters of lawns and flowerbeds 
were arranged and renovated. The territory of the site was decorated with  
new seedlings of poplar, maple, and birch, as well as spirea bushes. 

The works are carried out as part of a 5-year programme for the inventory 
and renewal of the plant’s greenery, developed with the participation of 
the Voronezh State Forest Engineering University. Experimental plantings 
recommended by the university for the renewal of the green fund of trees are 
planned for 2021.

In 2019–2020, 140,000 tree seedlings were planted at NLMK Group’s  
production sites.

PLANS FOR 2021–2023

NLMK Group is planning to implement 
significant environmental protection 
initiatives in future reporting periods 

under its Environmental Programme 2022. The initiatives seek to minimize our 
environmental impact, including by revamping major production facilities in line  
with the best available technologies.

MAIN PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR 2021–2023

Company

Project

Effect

NLMK Lipetsk

Upgrade of Blast Furnace No. 4 air heaters

Reduction of carbon monoxide emissions 
by 7,500 tonnes per year

NLMK Lipetsk

Construction of a waterless slag cooling unit at the Blast 
Furnace No. 7 BF slag processing section

Reduction of hydrogen sulfide emissions  
at the section

NLMK Lipetsk

Upgrade of Blast Furnace No. 3 foundry yard de-dusting unit

NLMK Lipetsk

Reconstruction of the de-dusting system for capturing 
unorganized emissions of the BOF Shop No. 1 mixing 
department

NLMK Lipetsk

Technical re-equipment of the Mill 2000 regulating tank

Reduction of dust emissions  
by 200 tonnes per year

Reduction of dust emissions  
by 100 tonnes per year

Elimination of the risk of soil 
contamination with petroleum products 
on an area of 400 m2

Stoilensky

Technical re-equipment of the beneficiation plant's medium 
and fine crushing department de-dusting system

Reduction of dust emissions  
by 791 tonnes per year

NLMK Lipetsk

NLMK Lipetsk

NLMK Lipetsk

Construction of the de-dusting system for capturing 
unorganized emissions of the BOF Shop No. 1 mixing 
department

Reduction of dust emissions  
by 100 tonnes per year Elimination  
of the risk of visible emissions

Equipment of the storage area for waste from wagon 
cleaning

Eliminating the risk of soil contamination 
on an area of 1000 m2

Upgrade of the sludge drying scheme of sludge dewatering 
unit No. 6

Eliminating the risk of soil contamination 
on an area of 59,800 m2

NLMK Lipetsk

Elimination of the risk of dusting when liming oiled scale

Eliminating the risk of soil contamination 
on an area of 120 m2

Altai-koks

Reconstruction of the dust-free coke distribution unit's dust 
collection system on Coke Batteries No. 3 and 4

Reduction of dust emissions  
by 254 tonnes per year

Stoilensky

Reconstruction of the plant’s storm sewer

NLMK Indiana

Installation of a waste storage warehouse

Eliminating the risk of soil contamination 
on an area of 1100 m2

Eliminating the risk of soil contamination 
on an area of 500 m2

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANNUAL
REPORT    
2020

1.901

t
(−1% yoy)
of CO2-eq. per t of steel  
and commercial pig iron  
(Scope 1+2)

−158

thousand t
of CO2 through projects  
implemented in 2020  
(Scope 1+2)

CLIMATE CHANGE

MAJOR THEMES
CLIMATE CHANGE
AIR EMISSIONS

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● NLMK Group’s climate-related risks and opportunities are estimated  

for the first time

 ● Scope 3 estimates indicating the Company’s other indirect emissions related  

to its upstream activities are disclosed for the first time

 ● Improved detail and completeness of data disclosure under Scope 1 and Scope 2: 
emissions are presented by activity and country, data on CO2 emissions are 
supplemented with data on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions
 ● Memorandum of Cooperation to reduce climate impact signed with NOVATEK 
 ● Greenhouse gas emissions reduction target through 2023 updated (Scope 1+2): 

targeted specific emissions stand at 1.91 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel  
(with previous target of 1.94 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel)

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLESН
 ● Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach  

to environmental challenges.

 ● Principle 8: Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater 

environmental responsibility.

 ● Principle 9: Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion  

of environmentally friendly technologies.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1  Specific emissions without the influence of temporary factors associated with a decrease in production.

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Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Climate change is one of the greatest 
threats facing the world today,  
impacting society, the economy, and 
security globally. The main drivers of 
climate change are greenhouse gas 
emissions. Under the Paris Agreement, 
almost 200 countries made commitments 
to reduce their emissions, and over 
100 countries announced their carbon 
neutrality goals.

According to various estimates, the iron 
and steel industry accounts for 7–9% 
of global greenhouse gas emissions. 
Therefore, the decarbonization of iron- 
and steelmaking is a major challenge for 
all industrial countries. The industry is 
currently engaged in active discussions 
of the ways to reduce its climate impact 
and the financing sources for potential 
initiatives.

NLMK Group is fully committed to climate 
change action and takes meaningful 
steps towards decreasing greenhouse 
gas emissions, progressively reducing 
the carbon footprint of its products. 
Moreover, the Company’s products  
(such as steel for wind energy and 
energy-efficient electrical steels) enable 
a broad range of consumer industries to 
reduce their climate impact substantially 
and attain their decarbonization goals. 
Steel produced by NLMK Group consists 
of 35% of recycled ferrous scrap on 
average. For the Lipetsk site, where  
BOF steel is produced, this indicator 
 is 17%. Specific CO2 emissions from  
scrap steelmaking are approximately 
four times lower than from primary  
raw materials.

This year NLMK Group published its first 
report in line with the recommendations 
of the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD)1. Going 
forward, this report will be further 
expanded to provide stakeholders with 
the fullest and timeliest information 
possible about the Company’s progress 
in the matter.

OUR APPROACH 

NLMK Group recognizes the importance of matters relating to climate change 
and the transition to a low-carbon economy. We are progressively reducing our 
greenhouse gas emissions by cutting our consumption of fossil fuels, increasing 
energy efficiency, and introducing innovative decarbonization solutions.

The Company’s leadership devotes continued attention to climate-related issues, 
which are embedded into the corporate governance system. The Board of 
Directors, the Board’s committees, СЕО (Chairman of the Management Board), 
and the Management Board determine strategic growth priorities and ensure 
overall sustainability management. The Company’s climate change initiatives are 
deeply intertwined with sustainable development and risk management matters 
(see the Sustainability Management section for more detail).

Our climate impact reduction targets are determined by the Strategic Planning 
Committee of the Board of Directors (see the Committees of the Board of Directors 
section for more detail). By addressing this issue on an annual basis, the Committee 
ensures that the Board of Directors pays close attention to the matter. NLMK Director 
of Environmental and Climate Affairs is in charge of managing the Company’s impact 
on key environmental components, including atmospheric air, water resources,  
and climate change. The functional area as a whole is curated by NLMK Vice President 
of Energy and Environment, who is a member of the Management Board.

CLIMATE COOPERATION

The Company actively enhances environmental and climate cooperation with its 
Russian and international partners.

NLMK Group participates in global decarbonization initiatives

In 2020 NLMK Group joined the dialogue on the Mission Possible Platform,  
a World Economic Forum coalition aimed at accelerating the decarbonization  
of global industries that account for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.  
Through this platform NLMK engages in discussions of an initiative to reduce  
the climate footprint of the iron and steel industry. 

The matters discussed include target-setting for impact reduction, the 
necessary regulatory base, the market conditions, and key technologies for  
the decarbonization of steelmaking. 

In 2020, Step Up, a joint project with the WSA, was launched at the Group’s 
flagship site in Lipetsk to identify potential areas for reducing greenhouse gas 
emissions and implement appropriate measures.

NLMK joins the Net Zero Steel 
Pathway Methodology Project1

This project was initiated in 2020 
to assist iron and steel companies 
in developing a realistic and reliable 
approach to setting decarbonization 
targets, which would be in line 
with climate science and the Paris 
Agreement target, while also taking 
into account the way the industry 
works and interacts with other 
sectors.

NLMK participates in the project’s 
Technical Working Group along 
with approximately twenty other 
organizations from the iron and steel 
industry, including the World Steel 
Association and ResponsibleSteel.

A special methodology was deemed 
necessary because the existing 
sectoral approach to decarbonization 
(SBTi SDA2) doesn’t fully take into 
account or makes it impossible  
to take into account such factors  
as different steelmaking routes  
(the possibilities of decarbonizing 
integrated steelmaking and EAF 
steelmaking differ significantly); 
metallurgical by-products replacing 
primary materials in other industries, 
which significantly reduces their 
carbon footprint; emission reduction 
at side projects, etc. The objective of 
the updated methodology developed 
as part of the project is to adequately 
factor in all the nuances of ferrous 
metallurgy, enabling the creation 
of a realistic ‘road map’ for its 
decarbonization.

NLMK and NOVATEK sign 
Memorandum of Cooperation  
to reduce climate impact

In January 2021 NLMK Group and 
NOVATEK, the largest independent 
natural gas producer in Russia,  
signed a Memorandum of Cooperation 
in the field of mitigating adverse 
climate impacts.

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is the key focus of cooperation. NLMK Group  
and NOVATEK plan to jointly test СО2 capture, use, and storage technologies, 
to develop and improve hydrogen production technologies and transportation 
methods, as well as the use of hydrogen fuel to reduce GHG emissions.  
NLMK and NOVATEK are also exploring the development of new products  
required to implement low-carbon technologies.

NLMK Group takes part in first EU-Russia Climate Conference

Sergey Chebotarev, NLMK Group Vice President, and Nikita Vorobyev, Director  
of Environmental and Climate Affairs, took part in the EU-Russia Climate Conference 
organized by the EU Delegation to Russia and the SKOLKOVO Business School. 
Business representatives, officials and experts from Russia and the EU discussed 
possible solutions to climate change.

Participating in the “Decarbonization of energy-intensive industries” session, 
Sergey Chebotarev talked about NLMK Group’s efforts to reduce its carbon 
footprint. NLMK follows a diversified approach to the climate agenda, using 
traditional and innovative tools to cut greenhouse gas emissions. In the coming 
years, the Company plans to launch a new power plant, which will be fuelled by 
recovered steelmaking gases. The project will cut greenhouse gas emissions 
by 650,000 tonnes annually. NLMK is also implementing a portfolio of research 
projects that focus on the use of hydrogen in the production process, and СО2 
recovery and utilization.

Nikita Vorobyev participated in the “Prospects for the Hydrogen Economy” section, 
where he shared his outlook on the prospects of using hydrogen in steelmaking 
and the necessary conditions for such a scenario. In addition, NLMK took part  
in the “Carbon border adjustment mechanism” session, which involved European 
Commission representatives, and outlined its vision of the regulation mechanism 
planned in Europe for imports of carbon-intensive products. NLMK believes that 
any regulation should take into account each company’s individual performance 
and avoid creating discriminatory conditions within the industry.

NLMK Group supports first Franco-Russian forum  
on low-carbon industrial development

The forum was organized by the Nauka Innov Centre for Technological Cooperation 
of the Franco-Russian Chamber of Commerce (CCI France Russie), the trade 
mission of the Russian Federation in France, the Climate Partnership of Russia, and 
the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.

NLMK Group, a partner of the forum, participated in a session dedicated to green 
steelmaking. Nikita Vorobyev, NLMK Group Director of Environmental and Climate 
Affairs, presented the Company’s vision of decarbonization prospects and spoke 
about current and future projects in the sphere. The session’s participants 
included numerous Russian industry leaders and the French companies Fives,  
Air Liquide, and Dassault Systèmes, which presented their innovative technological 
solutions that can assist Russian manufacturers in reaching their climate impact 
reduction targets.

1  The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) was created in December 2015 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), an international body 
established by the G20 states. In June 2017 the TCFD published its recommendations, which set out the basic principles of climate-related disclosures  
for companies and organizations. 

1  See https://netzerosteelpathwayproject.com/
2  Science-Based Targets initiative, Sectoral Decarbonization Approach.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

 IMPACT ON STRATEGY

 GRI 201-2 

RISK MANAGEMENT

Climate change implies a number of 
risks and opportunities for the iron 
and steel sector, which need to be 
identified in order to manage them and 
minimize the industry’s climate impact. 
Timely identification of climate risks and 
opportunities will make it possible to 
take them into account when developing 
projects for NLMK Group’s next strategy 
cycle beyond the 2023 horizon.

In the reporting period NLMK partnered 
up with Carbon Trust (United Kingdom), 
an independent sustainability consultant, 
to analyse risks and opportunities 
related to climate change and NLMK 
Group’s activities for the first time. 
At the initial stage, the team identified  
140 risks and opportunities, and later 
analysed 90 of them. The risks and 
opportunities were grouped by similar 
root causes and then classified by  
TCFD categories. For every group 
the team analysed the probability of 
materialization on the 2030 horizon for 
various scenarios of global temperature 
growth, including the Paris Agreement 
scenario (temperature increase limited 
to 2˚С). The Company believes that 
Strategy 2022 is highly resilient to 
climate change according to preliminary 
assessments. 

Physical risks (extreme weather events, 
temperature change, availability of 
water resources) have little impact on 
NLMK Group’s activities. The risks of 
water resource availability only emerge 
on the long-term horizon after 2030.

In 2021 the list of risks and their impact 
on the Company can be specified once 
the project is complete and the climate 
strategy is approved by the Board of 
Directors.

TCFD DEFINITIONS OF TRANSITION  
AND PHYSICAL RISKS

Transition Risks

Transitioning to a lower-carbon economy may entail extensive policy, legal, 
technology, and market changes to address mitigation and adaptation requirements 
related to climate change. Depending on the nature, speed, and focus of these 
changes, transition risks may pose varying levels of financial and reputational risk  
to organizations.

Physical Risks

Physical risks resulting from climate change can be event-driven (acute) or longer-
term shifts (chronic) in climate patterns. Physical risks may have financial implications 
for organizations, such as direct damage to assets and indirect impacts from 
supply chain disruption. Organizations’ financial performance may also be affected 
by changes in water availability, sourcing, and quality; food security; and extreme 
temperature changes affecting organizations’ premises, operations, supply chain, 
transport needs, and employee safety.

Carbon border adjustment in Europe

Since late 2019 the EU is considering the introduction of an additional import 
charge for products whose manufacturing is associated with СО2 emissions.  
This measure could become the first instance of a cross-border carbon price  
in the world.

NLMK Group shares European environmental values and closely monitors  
the initiative’s development, participating in consultations and promoting  
the principles of fairness and non-discrimination. The Company works 
towards step-by-step greenhouse gas emission reduction, convinced that 
the mechanism can only be efficient and accepted politically at all levels  
if it employs a differentiated approach based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle,  
which takes into account every individual supplier’s actual level of carbon 
intensity. In addition, the Company believes that any carbon tax should take 
into account the practices and mechanisms used in other countries for 
emission regulation, which include pricing among other methods. For instance, 
not only the mechanism of internal carbon pricing should be taken into account,  
but also the entire spectrum of carbon neutrality measures used by companies 
and economies, including measures to increase carbon sequestration via 
efficient forest management, investment in renewables, and measures to 
improve energy efficiency.

Considering the complexity of the issue and the high cost of a mistake, we believe 
it would be practical to integrate the mechanism step-by-step, starting with 
sectors with the least sophisticated configuration (including in terms of project 
portfolios) and with the least inclusion in international trade flows.

The internal control and risk 
management system employed by 
NLMK is designed to ensure reasonable 
certainty that the Group’s strategic  
and operational goals will be achieved,  
to create and protect value for 
the Group, and to ensure sustainable 
development by rapidly identifying, 
assessing, and effectively managing  
risks and opportunities.

The NLMK Board of Directors,  
which determines the principles  
and approaches to the organization  
of the risk management system  
and regularly reports on the status  
of the Company’s risks, plays  
a key role in the risk management 
process.

NLMK Group classifies climate  
change-related risks (regulatory, 
market, reputation) as evolving risks. 
All processes to manage such risks 
are integrated into NLMK Group’s 
overarching risk management system 
(see the Operational Control and Risk 
Management section for more detail).

The process of analysing NLMK Group’s climate-related risks and opportunities began 
in 2020 as an independent project. The idea is to integrate such risks into NLMK 
Group’s risk management system more actively as new information becomes available. 

PERFORMANCE AND TARGETS

Global climate change challenges us  
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
To that end, NLMK Group introduces 
new technologies, increases production 
efficiency, and monitors and controls  
its emissions. 

We are constantly enhancing the level 
and quality of greenhouse gas emission 
disclosures. In 2020, we made our 
disclosures on Scope 1 and Scope 2  
more detailed and complete, breaking 
down emissions by type of activity  
and by country, and providing data  
on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) 
emissions in addition to СО2. Moreover, 
we presented Scope 3 estimates for 
the first time, indicating the Company’s 
other indirect emissions related to its 
upstream activities.

NLMK Group employs recognized international and industry standards and 
methodologies for GHG emission reporting and calculation, including The Greenhouse 
Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. WRI and WBCSD, 
2004 (revised); 2006 IPCC1 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories / 
2019 Refinement; WSA CO2 Data Collection User Guide; Methodological guidelines on 
calculation of greenhouse gas emissions by organizations engaged in economic or other 
activities in the Russian Federation approved by order of the Russian Ministry of Natural 
Resources and the Environment dd. 30/06/2015 No. 300; EU Emission Trading System: 
The Monitoring and Reporting Regulation – General guidance for installations, and others.

In 2020 the Company introduced a centralized system to collect input data from  
all Group sites. It is based on leveraging regular reporting information on the use  
of energy and other resources.

Since early 2020, the carbon content of each incoming batch of coal, coke, and 
other carbon-containing resources is continuously measured at NLMK Lipetsk and 
Altai-Koks via laboratory tests. This has enabled higher precision of СО2 emission 
calculations using the carbon balance method. NLMK is the first Russian steel 
company to conduct such a detailed analysis of incoming raw materials in order  
to determine their carbon footprint.

1 

IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

For an adequate comparison with 2020, 
we adjusted СО2 emission data for  
the preceding few years (2016 to 2019) 
and added data on emissions from 
mobile facilities, as well as СН4 and N2O 
emissions. The adjustments are due 
mainly to more precise information 
about carbon content in coal used. 
Voluntary reporting standards provide 
the possibility of reviewing and specifying 
emission data for previous years.

In 2020, direct and indirect energy GHG 
emissions (Scope 1 + Scope 2) totalled 

33.6 million tonnes of СО2 equivalent across NLMK Group, which is 4% higher compared 
to the previous year. The main reason for this growth was higher pig iron output. 
Meanwhile, compared to 2018, the baseline year of the strategy cycle, emissions were 
5% lower.

The overall contribution of additionally calculated emissions from mobile units and 
СН4, N2O emissions to NLMK Group’s total direct GHG emissions is less than 1% in СО2 
equivalent.

We also evaluated СО2 emissions from biomass combustion (wood chips and charcoal), 
which is used at the Lipetsk site for ferroalloy production. These emissions are 
climate-neutral, provided for reference only, and are not included in the overall sum 
of reported emissions. The Company is currently considering the prospects of using 
sustainable biomass in its key steelmaking processes.

NLMK GROUP DIRECT AND INDIRECT ENERGY EMISSIONS,  
‘000 T OF CO2-EQUIVALENT  GRI 305-1, GRI 305-2 

Indicator

Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1)

СО2

Including from stationary sources

CH4

N2O

Indirect energy emissions (Scope 2)1

Total (Scope 1 + Scope 2)

Including stationary sources of CO2

CO2 emission from biomass combustion 
(for reference)

2016

30,356

30,280

30,071

47 

28 

3,810 

34,166 

33,879

20

2017

30,740

30,665

30,459

47 

28 

4,025 

34,765 

34,481

2018

31,232

31,158

30,956

46 

28 

4,032 

35,264 

34,985

2019

28,601

28,531

28,311

42 

28 

3,621 

32,222 

31,929

2020

30,036 

29,964 

29,753 

44 

28 

3,552 

33,587 

33,302 

16

17

25

25

GHG EMISSIONS  
(SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2),  
M T OF CO2- EQUIVALENT  

34.2 34.8 35.3
4.0 4.0
3.8
30.4 30.7 31.2

32.2 33.6
3.6
3.6
28.6 30.0

DIRECT GHG EMISSIONS BY TYPE  
OF ACTIVITY (SCOPE 1) IN 20201, 2, %

1

5

1

<1

<1

30,036
'000 t of 
CO2-eq.

50

5

5

7

11

Blast Furnace operations
Energy production
Production of iron ore raw materials
BOF operations
Lime production
Rolled steel production and finishing
Coke production
EAF steelmaking
Mobile sources
Ferroalloy production
Other stationary sources

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

14

Direct GHG emissions 
(Scope 1)
Indirect energy GHG emissions 
(Scope 2)

GHG EMISSIONS (SCOPE 3)  
UPSTREAM ALONG  
THE CORPORATE VALUE CHAIN,  
M T OF CO2-EQUIVALENT  GRI 305-3 

TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT GHG EMISSIONS  
(SCOPE 1+SCOPE 2) BY COUNTRY,  
‘000 T OF CO2-EQUIVALENT

8.8

7.9

7.6

602

33,587

241

119
89

25

1

32,511

Russia
USA
Belgium
Italy
Denmark
France
India

2018

2019

2020

By type of activity, blast furnace 
operations (50%) and energy production 
(14%) are the largest contributors  
to direct greenhouse gas emissions 
(Scope 1).

For the first time, the analysis 
includes other indirect greenhouse 
gas emissions associated with 
the production of the main types  
of external resources used by 

NLMK Group companies (upstream emissions) and their delivery to the companies’ 
gates, as well as the transportation of raw materials and semi-finished products 
between the Group companies. Calculations are made for the last three years. 
Estimated coverage is at least 95%. Emissions associated with the transportation 
of finished products shipped to customers, as well as emissions generated during 
the use, processing, and disposal of the Company’s products, were not considered 
at this stage. Regarding purchased electric energy for Scope 3 disclosure,  
we took into account emissions from the extraction, processing, and delivery  
of fuel to power plants, as well as losses in transmission networks, but did not take 
into account emissions from fuel combustion at the power plants themselves,  
since Scope 2 covers the latter.

1  Emissions from fuel combustion in the production of electricity received from the external grid for the needs of the Group’s sites (regional method).  

For the Group’s sites in the United States, CH4 and N2O emissions are taken into account in addition to CO2.

1  The CO2 emissions from the combustion of process gases (blast furnace and coke oven gases) outside the sources of these gases, but within the Group’s 

facilities, are considered equal to the emissions from the combustion of an energy equivalent amount of natural gas, adjusted for the combustion efficiency. 
The corresponding CO2 deduction is made for the production sources of process gases.

2  The “Energy production” category includes emissions from the production of thermal, mechanical, and electrical energy, hydrogen, as well as auxiliary  

fuel combustion in the energy, gas, and water supply shops. 

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Fluxes and minerals

Corporate governance

Liquid fuel
Pellets and HBI
Truck transportation
Coal coke
Ore and concentrate
Carbon-containing materials

Our team

OTHER INDIRECT GHG EMISSIONS (SCOPE 3)  
UPSTREAM ALONG THE CORPORATE VALUE CHAIN  
BY TYPE OF RESOURCE IN 2020, %

2.1

2.0

3.5

4.4

5.0

6.5

7.6

38.5

7.6
m t of 
CO2-eq.

11.7

16.4

0.7

0.7

0.3
0.3

0.2

0.1

Hard coal
Ferrous metals
Electricity
Natural gas
R/w transportation
Ferroalloys
Non-ferrous metals
Petroleum coke
Sea transportation

Fluxes and minerals
Liquid fuel
Pellets and HBI
Truck transportation
Coal coke
Ore and concentrate
Carbon-containing materials

The largest amount of other indirect 
greenhouse gas emissions, 38% of 
the total, is associated with coal 

production. These are mainly methane emissions from coal mining. The ferrous metals1 
emissions are mainly related to the production of slabs purchased from third parties 
for NLMK USA, due to current restrictions (Section 232).

SPECIFIC CO2 EMISSIONS, STATIONARY SOURCES2,  
T CO2-EQ./T  GRI 305-4 

Indicator

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Direct emissions  (Scope 1)

Steel + commercial pig iron, t

Steel, t

Specific indirect energy emissions (Scope 2):

Steel + commercial pig iron, t

Steel, t

Specific total emissions (Scope 1 + Scope 2):

Steel + commercial pig iron, t

Steel, t

1.76

1.81

0.22

0.23

1.98

2.04

1.73

1.78

0.23

0.24

1.95

2.02

1.70

1.77

0.22

0.23

1.92

2.00

1.75

1.80

0.22

0.23

1.72

1.88

0.21

0.22

1.97(1.92)3

1.92(1.90)3

2.03(2.00)3

2.10(1.98)3

In addition to specific emissions per 
tonne of steel, a common indicator 
among steel companies, our analysis 
includes the specific emissions of steel 
production, including commercial pig 
iron, as the production of commercial  
pig iron accounts for a significant share 
in the total output of the Group.  
At the same time, most of CO2 emissions 
(about 75% for the entire Group) are 
generated in the operations upstream 

of and including pig iron production. Due to that, the Company decided to prioritize 
disclosing the joint indicator for steel and pig iron, since it reflects the Group’s actual 
emissions and the rate of their reduction more accurately.

The increase in specific СО2 emissions per tonne of steel in 2019 and 2020 compared  
to previous periods was due to a temporary decrease in steel output during  
the upgrade programme at the NLMK Lipetsk BF and BOF operations. In addition,  
2020 figures were impacted by the output decrease at the Company’s European 
and US companies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking corresponding output 
normalization into account, the Company’s level of specific emissions has been 
decreasing throughout the 2016–2020 period.

1  Emissions associated with large-capacity deliveries of ferrous metals mainly from third parties for smelting and rolling at NLMK Group sites.
2  Consistent with the corporate approach for setting CO2 emission targets.
3  Specific emission without the impact of temporary factors, which have to do with lower production.

Environmental protection

Appendix

SPECIFIC CO2 EMISSIONS  
(SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2) FROM 
STATIONARY SOURCES  GRI 305-4 

1.98

1.95

1.92

1.97

1.921

1.92

1.901

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

t of CO2 per t of steel 
and commercial pig iron

The Group will continue to further slash 
specific GHG emissions in the period 
leading up to 2023. Specific emission 
(Scope 1 + Scope 2) target is 1.91 tonnes of 
CO2 per tonne of steel versus 2.0 tonnes 
in 2019 (5% reduction), per tonne of steel 
with commercial pig iron — 1.84 tonnes  
of CO2 versus 1.92 in 2019 (4% reduction).

In 2020 the Company reviewed and expanded its portfolio of projects aimed at 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These include both standard projects to increase 
energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption in blast furnaces and innovative 
solutions for the use of secondary carbon-based raw materials and biofuel in BF 
operations, as well as new decarbonization technologies of carbon dioxide capture 
and utilization. A number of projects has already been launched, and their status and 
progress are being monitored regularly.

In 2019–2020 we completed a range of previously planned projects aimed at reducing 
СО2 emissions. The effects of each project were calculated based on the achieved 
technical effects for the reviewed period (reduction in the consumption of natural 
gas, coke and coke fines, energy, oxygen, limestone, dolomite, etc.).

Our new recovery cogeneration plant, which will be launched at NLMK Lipetsk in 2023, 
will run on by-product gases from blast furnace and steelmaking operations,  
thus cutting CO2 emissions by 650,000 tonnes (35 kg per tonne of steel) annually.  
The step-by-step introduction of new ore beneficiation technologies at Stoilensky  
in 2020–2023 will increase Fe content in the charge and reduce fuel consumption  
at the blast furnaces in Lipetsk, which will bring an additional 790,000-tonne reduction 
in CO2 emissions (43 kg per tonne of steel) annually. Besides, NLMK is also implementing 
a portfolio of research projects that focus on the use of hydrogen in the production 
process, СО2 recovery and utilization, and other decarbonization areas.

ACTUAL 2020 CO2 EMISSION REDUCTIONS FROM PROJECTS  
INCLUDED IN THE 2023 STRATEGIC TARGET  GRI 305-5 

Project  
(implemented)

Construction of co-generation boiler-houses  
at NLMK Ural in Nizhniye Sergi and Beryozovsky

Construction of a water-heating boiler-house  
at NLMK Ural in Revda

Construction of an additional beneficiation section  
at Stoilensky1

Start-up date

November 2019

November 2019

July 2020

Turbine blower for Blast Furnace No. 7

November 2019

Use of dynamic stacking model when forming iron ore 
stacks and the APCS when metering out fluxes in coal 
preparation sections

Stopping the converting process in BOF at set carbon 
value (for part of the product mix)

Other

Total

December 2020

August 2020

2019–2020

CO2 emission  
reduction  
(Scope 1 + Scope 2), 
‘000 t

CO2 emission  
reduction  
(Scope 1 + Scope 2),  
kg/t

27

7

81

30

8

2

3

158

1.7

0.5

5.1

1.9

0.5

0.1

0.2

10.0

1  Specific emissions without the impact of temporary factors, which have to do with lower production.

2 

Including effects of operational efficiency associated with the project

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

At the Lipetsk site, the specific direct  
CO2 emissions per tonne of steel in 2020, 
calculated on the basis of the guidance 
document1 of the European Union 
Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS),  
amounted to 1.72 t СО2/t steel. Compared 
to the estimated EU ETS benchmark2 
(calculated based on the top 10% of 
companies in the EU), this gap is already 
only 8% today. NLMK’s goal is to close 
the gap with the current benchmark to 
6% within the current strategic cycle.

NLMK GROUP’S TARGET FOR SPECIFIC EMISSION REDUCTION  
FROM STATIONARY SOURCES (SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2),  
T CO2/T OF STEEL

20193

Crude steel output growth

Captive electricity generation increase

Fe content in the concentrate increase

Other

2023 target

2.00

0.01

–5%

−0.04

−0.04

−0.02

1.91

NLMK PRODUCTS CONTRIBUTE  
TO THE TRANSITION  
TO A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

NLMK GROUP’S TARGET FOR SPECIFIC EMISSION REDUCTION  
FROM STATIONARY SOURCES (SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2),  
T CO2/T OF STEEL AND COMMERCIAL PIG IRON

20193

Crude steel output growth

Captive electricity generation increase

Fe content in the concentrate increase

Other

2023 target

1.92

0.01

−0.04

−0.04

−0.01

1.84

–4%

CO2 EMISSIONS AT THE LIPETSK SITE  
ACCORDING TO EU ETS (SCOPE 1),  
T OF CO2/T OF STEEL

NLMK Lipetsk 2020

NLMK Lipetsk 2023

EU ETS benchmark4

1.72

1.68

1.58

Forests are the largest carbon sink 
on the planet, they absorb more CO2 
than they release into the atmosphere. 
However, even in the energy industry, 
there are sectors that contribute 
to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
in their own way. For example, solar and 
wind energy are replacing fossil fuels. 

Calculating the impact of consumers 
using certain product categories 
on curbing CO2 emissions is a common 
practice and is widely used in steel and 
other industries.

NLMK Group produces plate, which is used in the construction of wind power facilities, 
and premium electrical steel, thanks to which consumers are able to reduce specific 
magnetic losses in transformers and electric motors. NLMK also produces high-
strength and wear-resistant steel grades that contribute to improving safety 
in a number of applications and lightening the weight of steel structures, which, 
in turn, leads to lower consumption of fuel and steel itself (replacing lower-quality 
grades), and, ultimately, contributes to the transition to a low-carbon economy.  
The Company estimates that the target sales volume of such steels during  
the 2018–2023 strategy cycle will allow it to prevent approximately 34 million tonnes 
per year of CO2 emissions on the consumer side. This volume exceeds the Company’s 
emissions from steel production. Taking into account the life cycle of the same steel 
volume (20–30 years), it can prevent over 700 million tonnes of emissions.

1  COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2019/331 of 19 December 2018 determining transitional Union-wide rules for harmonised free allocation of emission 

allowances pursuant to Article 10a of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

2  The indicator for converter steel under the ETS is not separately established, but there are established benchmarks for coke, sinter, pig iron, lime, dolomite. 

The given data per ton of steel are calculated at the given consumption factors

3  Specific emission without the impact of temporary factors, which have to do with lower production
4  Using the same coke and iron ore consumption rates as at NLMK Lipetsk in 2020

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

REDUCTION OF CO2 EMISSIONS  
ON THE CONSUMER SIDE THROUGH NLMK PRODUCTS

    −0.1

    −2.6

    −0.5

    −13.7

    −1.5

    −15.1

    −8.8

    −22.6

0.3

0.6

Flat products with improved 
characteristics 

Premium GO  
electrical steels

1.1

Wear-resistant  
and high-strength steel 
(Q&T and Q&P)

    −239.7

0.2

Premium NGO  
electrical steels

1.2

Plate produced  
at DanSteel  
(used in wind energy  
facility construction)

СО2 emission reduction 
on consumer side, 
annualy

    −33.5  
m t

СО2 emission reduction 
on consumer side,  
life cycle

    −722.8 
m t 

Sales  
in 2018–2023

3.4 m t

Sales in 2018–2023, m t

    −451.7

NLMK DanSteel supplies  
steel heavy plates for  
next-generation floating  
offshore wind farm

NLMK DanSteel, NLMK Group’s plant 
in Denmark, supplied its heavy plate 
for the Wind Float Atlantic project. 
Wind Float Atlantic is the first semi-
submersible floating wind farm  
in the world located off the north 
coast of Portugal. NLMK DanSteel’s 
high-quality steel heavy plates are 
used in the production of floating 
platforms and foundations.

Wind Float Atlantic comprises three wind turbines 8.4 MW each, mounted on 
floating platforms. The third platform was installed in July, and the wind farm will 
start operating at full capacity. The wind farm will be able to generate enough 
energy to supply 60,000 households in Portugal. Wind Float Atlantic will save  
almost 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

In 2020, NLMK DanSteel delivered more than 150,000 tonnes of steel for 
the manufacture of onshore and offshore wind farms, which can generate  
close to 3 GWh of ‘green’ electricity per year. The Company’s customers are such 
industry leaders as Ørsted, Vattenfall, Equinor, Siemens Gamesa, Vestas,  
GE Renewable Energy.

The Company’s share on the European offshore wind energy market has already 
reached 14%, and 20% in the onshore segment, attesting to its leadership  
in supplies to a key renewable energy sector.

NLMK Verona supplies  
special steel for wind power

Mercure, Hywind, etc. The company’s key customer is euskalforging, the world’s 
largest manufacturer of offshore wind turbine flanges.

NLMK Verona, the Group’s 
Italian plant, supplies steel for 
the manufacture of wind turbine 
flanges. The flange of a wind turbine 
is its central connecting part and is 
manufactured by a limited number 
of companies in the world due to 
strict product requirements. NLMK 
Verona supplies about 15,000 tonnes 
of steel per year for the wind power 
generation sector, including for 
such projects as Beatrice, Galloper, 

NLMK steel in superpower transformers for Krasnoyarsk HPP

In the reporting year NLMK supplied premium laser-treated electrical transformer 
steel to SVEL Group, a leading Russian manufacturer of electrotechnical equipment. 
NLMK steel was used to make a 630 MVA three-phase potential transformer for  
the Krasnoyarsk Hydro Power Plant.

Currently, the hydroelectric power plant is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade 
to install superpower transformers. By 2024, NLMK plans to supply close 
to 2,000 tonnes of steel to SVEL for the production of six more transformers. 
NLMK steel properties will enable a reduction in specific magnetic losses in 
transformers of up to 15% compared to commercial grades.

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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

In 2021, the Company plans to start 
the development of NLMK Group’s  
long-term climate change programme 
and to continue assessing the Company’s 
risks and opportunities taking various 
climate change scenarios into account. 
Additionally, NLMK plans to participate 
in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 
programme in 2021 for the first time.

TCFD INDEX

TCFD recommendations

GOVERNANCE

Annual report 2020

Page

Disclose the organisation’s governance around climate-related risks and opportunities

Describe the board’s oversight  
of climate-related risks and opportunities

Describe management’s role in assessing 
and managing climate-related risks and 
opportunities.

STRATEGY

Information is presented in sections  
Sustainability management and Our approach  
to managing environmental protection

Information is presented in sections  
Sustainability management and Our approach  
to managing environmental protection

p. 30, p. 186,  
p. 188

p. 30, p. 186,  
p. 188

Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation’s  
businesses, strategy, and financial planning where such information is material

Describe the climate-related risks and 
opportunities the organisation has identified 
over the short, medium, and long term

Describe the impact of climate-related risks  
and opportunities on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy, and financial planning

Describe the resilience of the organisation’s 
strategy, taking into consideration different 
climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or 
lower scenario

RISK MANAGEMENT

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Impact on strategy

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Impact on strategy

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Impact on strategy

Disclose how the organisation identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks

Describe the organisation’s  
processes for identifying and assessing  
climate-related risks

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Risk management

Describe the organisation’s processes  
for managing climate-related risks

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Risk management

Describe how processes for identifying, 
assessing, and managing climate-related risks 
are integrated into the organization’s overall 
risk management

METRICS AND TARGETS

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Risk management

p. 186, p. 190

p. 186, p. 190

p. 186, p. 190

p. 186, p. 191

p. 186, p. 191

p. 186, p. 191

Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks  
and opportunities where such information is material

Disclose the metrics used by the organisation  
to assess climate-related risks and opportunities 
in line with its strategy and risk management 
process

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Performance and targets

p. 186, p. 191

Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, 
Scope 3 GHG emissions, and the related risks

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Performance and targets

Describe the targets used by the organisation  
to manage climate-related risks and 
opportunities and performance against targets

Information is presented in sections  
Climate change and Performance and targets

p. 186, p. 191

p. 186, p. 191

200

201

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ANNUAL
REPORT    
2020

ENERGY  
EFFICIENCY

MAJOR THEME
ENERGY

KEY EVENTS IN 2020
 ● The fourth recovery CGP power unit was launched, with a steam turbocharger  

for the air blast supply at Blast Furnace No. 7.

 ● A project to switch walking beam furnaces in the Hot Rolling Shop to natural gas 

was completed.

 ● К-1500 and К-500 compressors in the NLMK Lipetsk Oxygen shop were upgraded.
 ● A 220 kV substation was commissioned at the Revda plant (NLMK Ural).
 ● Supplies of medical oxygen from NLMK Lipetsk to clinics and hospitals in nearby 

regions reached record highs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 ● A daily-average record was set in energy generation at NLMK Lipetsk captive 

facilities (co-generation plant – 346.5 MW, recovery plant – 160.1 MW).

 ● NLMK Lipetsk halved its purchases of hot water heat energy by optimizing  

its power resource supply arrangements.

 ● NLMK Ural sites purchased 15 times less heat energy due to using  

cogeneration units. 

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL  
COMPACT PRINCIPLES
 ● Principle 7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach  

to environmental challenges.

 ● Principle 8. Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater 

environmental responsibility.

 ● Principle 9. Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion  

of environmentally friendly technologies.

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT GOALS

396.4

PJ  
(+3.6% yoy)
NLMK Group’s total energy  
consumption in 2020 

0.094

Gcal/t   
(−1.7% yoy) 
reduction in specific energy  
intensity of steel production  
at NLMK Lipetsk  

Our project to boost  
the energy efficiency of lighting  
at NLMK’s NGOES Shop won 
the Golden  
Photon Award
in the international  
electrotechnical industry  
competition of the Eurasian  
Economic Community.

202

203

Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

CERTIFICATION

The Company’s energy management 
system is in compliance with 
the international ISO 50001 standard,  
as confirmed by its ENMS 598731 
certificate. 

The system encompasses nine core 
production sites:
1.  NLMK Lipetsk
2.  VIZ-Steel
3.  Altai-Koks
4.  Dolomit
5.  NLMK Kaluga
6.  NLMK Metalware
7.  NLMK Ural
8.  Stagdok
9.  Stoilensky

NLMK DanSteel is also certified under 
ISO 50001. 

In 2020, NLMK Group successfully 
completed a cycle of recertification 
audits of the energy management 
system at its sites. A certificate was 
issued to confirm their compliance with 
ISO 50001:2018. Additionally, a project 
was launched in 2020 to consolidate 
the management systems of all 
Group companies into an integrated 
management system (IMS). 

MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION  
IN ORGANIZATIONS

NLMK Group is a member of the Russian Association of Energy Consumers,  
a non-profit partnership that aims to protect the interests of member companies  
in the energy sector.

NLMK Lipetsk is a member of the NP Market Council organization, which ensures  
the Company’s participation in the wholesale electricity and power market.

In November 2010 NLMK Lipetsk joined the non-commercial partnership SRO Union  
of Independent Energy Audit and Energy Expert Organizations. 

ENERGY RESOURCE CONSUMPTION IN 2020

In 2020 total energy consumption within the Company stood at 396.4 PJ, which is  
14 PJ higher than in 2019. The increase is due to the commissioning of new production 
capacities at the Lipetsk site (Basic Oxygen Furnace No. 3 in BOF Shop No. 2) and  
a new batch annealing furnace at NLMK Metalware.

Non-renewable energy consumption totalled 394.7 PJ.

NLMK Group uses a variety of non-renewable energy resources in its production 
activities: 26.0% of all energy consumed comes from natural gas, and 59.9% comes 
from coal and coke products (minus marketed coke products).

In addition, we use renewable energy sources (RES), wood chips, and charcoal  
to produce ferroalloys.

In 2020 the share of electricity from renewable sources totalled 5.2% of all purchased 
electric energy. The share of renewable electric energy in all NLMK Group energy 
consumption was 0.42%.

OUR APPROACH TO MANAGING 
ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Steelmaking is an energy-intensive 
industry. NLMK Group systematically 
pursues energy efficiency improvements 
in its operations. This includes identifying 
and applying integrated solutions  
to ensure a reliable supply of energy 
resources, as well as using energy 
sparingly in order to reduce costs and 
minimize the environmental impact. 

The Company has adopted 
an NLMK Group Integrated Management 
System Policy in Quality, Environmental 
Protection, Energy Efficiency,  
and Occupational Health and Safety  
(IMS Policy). This policy sets forth 
the vision, goals, principles, and 
management commitments related to 
the improvement of energy efficiency.

The Group’s commitments under  
the IMS Policy go beyond introducing 
advanced energy-efficient 
technologies and solutions that 
reduce the consumption of natural 
and secondary energy resources. 

The Group is additionally committed to developing power generation capabilities that 
utilize metallurgical gases and other secondary energy resources, and to supporting 
the use of renewable energy sources where applicable and reasonable (for more 
information on our IMS Policy, please follow the link). 

The Unified Technical Policy on Energy Complex Management has been in effect  
at NLMK Group’s Russian companies since 2014. The objective of this policy is 
to introduce the most advanced technical solutions, machinery, and technologies that 
bolster the reliability, efficiency, and safety of the Group’s energy complex. The policy 
sets out priorities and rules for applying technical solutions related to the utilization of 
energy facilities, the implementation of investment programmes for new construction, 
the re-tooling of core equipment, overhauls of energy assets belonging to NLMK Group 
companies, and the innovative and promising development of these companies.

NLMK Group Vice President for Energy and the Environment and the units reporting  
to him work to frame the principles and strategic goals for improving the energy 
efficiency of production and developing the Group’s energy facilities in addition 
to setting energy consumption KPIs and tracking them. Each year we create and 
implement a portfolio of energy efficiency projects aimed at attaining our energy 
resource use targets.

A key performance indicator for improving energy efficiency is the specific energy 
intensity of production (Gcal/t of output). The targets for these key performance 
indicators are determined based on earlier maximum results, taking into account  
the potential of optimizing the process to the best technologically achievable level,  
as well as the results of benchmarking similar machinery against global best practices.

204

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

RENEWABLE ELECTRIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION ACROSS NLMK GROUP   
 GRI 302-1 

Indicator

Share of renewable electric energy  
in purchased energy, %

Total share of renewable electric energy 
in total energy consumed, %

Total renewable electric energy 
consumed, PJ

2016

4.79

0.35

1.42

2017

4.81

0.36

1.50

2018

4.86

0.36

1.51

2019

5.10

0.37

1.43

2020

5.15

0.42

1.68

NLMK Group sites made no direct 
purchases from renewable energy 
suppliers. The share of generation  
from renewables is shown as assumed 

for Europe and the US as of the end of 2019 according to the Monthly Energy  
Review US report by the Energy Information Administration and The European  
Power Sector in 2019 report (available here on p. 120 and here on p. 7).

GROSS ENERGY CONSUMPTION  
BY NLMK GROUP1, PJ  GRI 302-1 

CONSUMPTION FROM  
NON-RENEWABLE SOURCES  
BY NLMK GROUP2, PJ  GRI 302-1 

BREAKDOWN OF NON-RENEWABLE 
FUEL CONSUMPTION BY NLMK 
GROUP IN 20203, %  GRI 302-1 

409.4 415.6 415.1

385.3 396.4

408.0 414.1 413.6

383.9 394.7

13.2

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

SHARE OF RENEWABLE ELECTRIC ENERGY IN TOTAL PURCHASED ELECTRICITY  
BY REGION, WITHOUT TRANSIT FLOWS, %

NLMK GROUP CONSUMPTION OF NON-RENEWABLE FUELS3,  
PJ  GRI 302-1 

Region

Share of renewable 
energy

Source

Companies

Russia, Central Unified Energy System 
zone (Central and Northwestern  
Federal Districts)

Russia, Ural Unified Energy System  
zone (Ural and Volga Federal Districts)

USA

Belgium

France

Italy

Denmark

1.9

2.8

17.6

20.6

20.5

40.1

83.9

Hydro

Hydro, wind, solar

Hydro, wind, solar, biofuel

Wind, solar, biofuel

NLMK Lipetsk,  
Stoilensky, Stagdok,  
Dolomit, NLMK Kaluga

NLMK Ural,  
NLMK Metalware, VIZ-Steel

NLMK Indiana LLC,  
NLMK Pennsylvania LLC, 
Sharon Coating LLC

NLMK La Louvière S.A.,  
NLMK Clabecq S.A.

Hydro, wind, solar, biofuel

NLMK Strasbourg S.A.

Hydro, wind, solar, biofuel

NLMK Verona SpA

Wind, solar, biofuel

NLMK DanSteel A/S

Fuel type

Coal and coke products4

Natural gas

Pulverized coal

Motor fuel (petrol, diesel, liquefied gas)

Fuel oil

Total

2016

218.37

99.409

18.10

2.81

0.26

338.93

2017

216.52

91.645

28.40

2.76

0.04

339.37

0.88

0.08

59.9

Coal and coke 
products4 
Natural gas
Pulverized coal
Motor fuel 
Fuel oil

2019

184.30

91.262

36.15

2.91

0.21

2020

196.94

85.499

43.36

2.90

0.27

26.0

2018

207.94

87.750

43.30

2.79

0.04

341.83

314.92

328.97

206

207

1  The methodology for calculating the Company’s energy consumption was adjusted: purchased energy minus sold energy (sales, shipment, transfer)  

at every production site; total across all sites.

2  The methodology for calculating non-renewable energy consumption has been adjusted: total energy consumption by the Company minus renewable 

electric energy.

3  Consumption of coke products and motor fuel has been adjusted because data sources have changed (added diesel fuel consumption by the Mining Division 

in ‘000 litres and coke fine consumption by NLMK Ural). Consumption of non-renewable fuels is shown net of fuel sales/shipment as products. 

4  Consumption of coal and coke products is shown net of sales/shipments of coke products (coke breeze, lump coke, coke nut, pitch coke) to 3rd parties. 

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

CONSUMPTION, GENERATION, AND SALE OF ELECTRICITY  
AND THERMAL ENERGY BY NLMK GROUP, PJ  GRI 302-1 

Indicator

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Electricity and thermal energy obtained for consumption

CAPTIVE ELECTRICITY  
GENERATION

Electrical power obtained

Thermal energy obtained as steam

Thermal energy obtained as hot water

Total

In-house electricity and thermal energy generation

Electricity generation

Thermal energy as steam

Thermal energy as hot water

Total

83.06

0.45

1.64

85.15

46.99

23.79

8.68

79.47

Electricity and thermal energy sold to external consumers

Electricity sold and transmitted

Heat energy sold and transmitted as 
steam

Heat energy sold and transmitted as hot 
water

Total

11.06

0.34

2.69

14.08

SPECIFIC ENERGY INTENSITY1 AT THE LIPETSK SITE,  
GCAL/T   GRI 302-3 

87.32

0.51

1.52

89.35

46.34

23.78

7.96

78.07

11.78

0.36

2.56

14.70

87.30

0.50

1.59

89.39

49.36

21.90

9.81

81.07

10.70

0.35

2.76

13.81

78.47

0.48

1.33

80.28

50.01

21.75

7.44

79.20

8.98

0.37

2.36

11.71

77.68

0.48

1.01

79.17

49.93

22.26

7.59

79.77

8.60

0.40

1.92

10.92

Indicator

Specific energy intensity

2016

5.599

2017

5.491

2018

5.469

2019

5.641

2020

5.546

The Company has managed to reduce 
energy costs by implementing 
investment projects and optimization 
initiatives aimed at increasing captive 
generation of electricity and thermal 
energy.

Electricity is generated at the Company’s 
captive power plants, which are chiefly 
powered by recycled fuel gases from 
steel production. Approximately 80% of 
the electricity generated at the Lipetsk 
site (and used for its production 
needs only) and 100% of the electricity 
generated at Altai-Koks is produced 
using NLMK Group’s captive recyclable 
resources (steelmaking gases).

Maximizing the utilization of available 
recyclable energy is one of the main 
challenges faced by NLMK Group. 
Overcoming this challenge will make 
it possible to not only minimize costs, 
but to also reduce our environmental 
impact by slashing emissions of harmful 
substances and greenhouse gases.

In the reporting period, the total 
installed in-house generation capacity 
was 733 MW: 522 MW at the Lipetsk  
site and 200 MW at Altai-Koks;  
the installed capacity of gas-piston  
units at NLMK Ural was 11 MW. 

SHARE OF CAPTIVE  
ELECTRICITY IN TOTAL 
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION  
AT NLMK LIPETSK1, %

CAPTIVE ELECTRICITY GENERATION  
AT NLMK GROUP SITES

NLMK LIPETSK, 522 MW

Co-generation plant: fuel – coke oven gas, blast furnace gas,  
natural gas.

Recovery co-generation plant: fuel – blast furnace gas, natural gas.

Top pressure recovery turbine station: no fuel is used; instead, 
electricity is generated from excess blast furnace gas pressure.

ALTAI-KOKS, 200 MW

Co-generation plant: fuel – coke oven gas

NLMK URAL, 11 MW

Mini gas-piston co-generation plant: fuel – natural gas 

In 2020, NLMK Lipetsk generating capacities set an average daily record in electricity 
generation: (CGP – 346.5 MW, RCGP – 160.1 MW, total – 506.6 MW).

CAPTIVE ELECTRICITY GENERATED  
AT NLMK LIPETSK2

55.0 53.0

58.0

65.0 63.7

81

84

82

79

72

417

417 450 478 480

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Captive electricity generation, MW
Share of captive electricity generation 
from secondary fuel gases, %

1  Specific energy intensity = (energy consumption during steel production / extraction and processing of raw materials, Gcal) / (steel production / extraction 
and processing of raw materials, t). The following types of energy resources were used in the calculation: purchased – coking coal and additives, pitch 
coke, lump coke, coke breeze, pulverized coal, natural gas, fuel oil, thermal energy as hot water, steam, electricity, oxygen (NLMK Kaluga), and heat from 
chemically treated water (VIZ-Steel); sold – coke breeze, coke nut, chemical products, blast furnace gas, steam, thermal energy as hot water, oxygen, 
nitrogen, compressed air, industrial water, hydrogen, and commercial pig iron.

1  The share of captive electricity generation n 2020 is lower than in 2019 because of the increase in overall energy consumption on the site (start-up  

of new equipment for Basic Oxygen Furnace No. 3 in BOF Shop No. 2).

2  The share of captive electricity generation from secondary fuel gases went up in 2020 due to increased utilization of BF gases after repairs at Blast 

Furnaces No. 6 and 7 were completed in 2019.

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Construction works are  
ongoing at a new recovery  
co-generation plant (RCGP-2) 
fuelled by secondary energy 
resources, which will bring  
NLMK Lipetsk’s self-sufficiency  
in electricity to 94%

In 2019, NLMK Group launched 
a project to construct a new 
recovery co-generation plant  
at NLMK Lipetsk. The new plant  
will be fuelled by recyclable gases 
from steel production: BOF and  
BF gases. The installed capacity  
of the new recovery co-generation 
plant will be 300 MW. The estimated 
investment into the project is  
RUB 35 billion.

In 2020, design documentation 
engineering was completed  
for the main facilities in the new 
power plant complex, and 
the project was approved by 
the State Environmental Impact 
Assessment Authority 

The 2023 launch of this new power 
plant running on by-product gases 
of blast furnace and steelmaking 
operations will cut CO2 emissions 
by 650 kt (36 kg per tonne of steel) 
annually. 

Stoilensky expands energy 
capacities in open-cast mine

Stoilensky Mining and Beneficiation 
Plant, an NLMK Group company,  
has completed construction  
of the main step-down substation 
(MSDS-15) at its open-cast mine.  
The substation generates  
electricity to power mining 
machinery, traction units, and drain 
well equipment. The construction 
works were part of an NLMK Group 
Strategy 2022 project to boost  
the capacity of the open-cast  
mine to 42 million tonnes of ore 
annually.

IMPLEMENTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS 

During the reporting period, NLMK Group implemented a number of energy efficiency 
projects at its sites to address the following items:
 ● Increasing the efficiency of fuel gas utilization in electricity generation
 ● Improving the efficiency of compressor equipment and cooling equipment
 ● Replacing pumping equipment with more energy-efficient units
 ● Optimizing process charts for the production of technical gases
 ● Optimizing the load and configuration of energy transportation networks, 

optimizing the operation modes of energy equipment 

As part of the target-oriented programmes, lighting fixtures at NLMK Group sites 
were replaced with more advanced and efficient solutions. Previous work to improve 
efficiency was continued, such as replacement of pumping equipment and projects  
to improve the efficiency of compressor operation. 

OPTIMIZATION INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN  
BY NLMK GROUP IN 2020

The energy efficiency and optimization projects carried out in 2020 for 
the co-generation and recovery plants at NLMK Lipetsk and the co-generation  
plant at Altai-Koks aimed to improve the operation modes and control algorithms  
of boilers and turbines, apply a new technology of heating combustion air,  
increase the surface area of economizers, and optimize equipment repairs.

REDUCTION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT  
OF ENERGY-SAVING INITIATIVES (PROGRAMMES)  
AT LIPETSK SITE, TJ  GRI 302-4 

1,392

743

753

1,201

1,851

1,939

1,374

1,521

348

141

68

32

664

329

372

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Total amount 
of energy saved
Total amount 
of fuel saved
Total reduction 
in consumption 
of energy

NLMK DanSteel to build the most environmentally friendly reheating 
furnace in Europe

The new, cleaner furnace will open up new opportunities to expand production. 
This major investment is part of a larger strategy, aimed, inter alia, at enhancing 
the quality of plate for offshore wind turbines.

The furnace will reduce emissions of CO2 and NOx by 15% and 75%, respectively. 
NOx emissions will go down to a quarter of the maximum level permitted by 
Danish legislation.

PLANS FOR 2021  
AND THE MEDIUM TERM

Improving the energy efficiency  
of production is a key goal of Strategy 
2022. The main lines of action to boost 
energy efficiency in 2021 and the medium 
term include:
 ● Reducing specific energy  

consumption at production units;  
in the medium term – reaching  
the minimum technically feasible  
level of consumption

 ● Improving the efficiency of power-generating equipment
 ● Optimizing process charts for the production of technical gases
 ● Improving the efficiency of compressor equipment
 ● Replacing pumping equipment with more energy-efficient units
 ● Lighting system upgrades
 ● Reducing the amount of purchased thermal energy 
 ● Developing and introducing innovative energy solutions
 ● Increasing the cost-efficiency of energy facilities by outsourcing processes
 ● Implementing investment projects for infrastructure development, technical 

upgrades/construction of facilities with improved energy efficiency performance

210

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

ABOUT THE REPORT

SCOPE OF REPORTING ABOUT NLMK OPERATIONS  
AND SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES

OUR APPROACH 
TO PREPARING REPORTS

NLMK Group’s 2020 Annual Report 
(the Report) discloses information 
about financial and business operations 
along with data on the Company’s 
achievements in sustainability 
management for the period from  
1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020  
 GRI 102-50 .

NLMK prepares its Annual Report 
on a yearly basis. The Report includes 
information about the Company’s 
sustainability activities in the relevant 
topic-specific sections. The Company’s 
most recent annual report was 
published in April 2020. Electronic 
versions of previous reports can 
be found on the Company’s official 
website  GRI 102-51, GRI 102-52 .

Starting from 2018 Company uses 
the recommendations of the Global 
Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards). 
The core option was selected 
for information disclosure. The GRI 
Content Index listing the disclosures 
included can be found in the Appendix  
 GRI 102-54, GRI 102-55 .

In 2020 Report, the Climate Change section has been published for the first 
time, relied on the TCFD (Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure) 
recommendations. New indicators are also provided in accordance with the SASB 
(Sustainability Accounting Standards Board).

The Report also covers compliance with the principles of the UN Global Compact 
to which the Company acceded in 2019 and the OECD Principles of Corporate 
Governance based on which the Group strives to conduct its activities.

The interests of the investment community regarding sustainability management 
practices were taken into account during the preparation of this Report. 
In particular, the Group relied on the methodology of such rating agencies  
as SAM S&P, MSCI, Sustainalytics, FTSE Russell, ISS when disclosing information.

The Report also reflects the Group’s contribution to the achievement 
of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 
in the document Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development.

SCOPE OF REPORTING

 GRI 102-45  Information about the Group’s financial and business activities  
is disclosed in accordance with its 2020 IFRS consolidated financial statements. 

Data relating to NLMK’s operating activities and sustainability information 
are presented within the scope shown in the table below, unless otherwise  
indicated in the text of the Report.

RUSSIA

NLMK RUSSIA FLAT PRODUCTS 

NLMK Lipetsk

VIZ-Steel 

Altai-Koks 

NLMK Trading SA 

NLMK RUSSIA LONG PRODUCTS

NLMK Ural 

NLMK Kaluga 

NLMK Metalware 

Vtorchermet NLMK 

Other

MINING DIVISION (RUSSIA)

Stoilensky 

Stagdok

Dolomit

USA

NLMK USA

Steel and flat products

GO electrical steel

Coke

Trader (located in Switzerland)

Steel and long products 

Steel and long products 

Metalware

Scrap processing

–

Extraction and processing of iron ore

Extraction and processing of flux limestones

Extraction of flux dolomite 

NLMK Pennsylvania LLC & Sharon Coating LLC

Flat products

NLMK Indiana LLC

EU

NLMK DANSTEEL AND PLATE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Steel and flat products

NLMK DanSteel A/S

NBH SEGMENT

NLMK Clabecq S.A.

NLMK Verona SpA

NLMK La Louviere S.A.

NLMK Strasbourg S.A.

Other

Plate

Plate

Plate

Strip

Strip

–

SERVICE AND SUPPORTING BUSINESSES 

NLMK Trade House

Sales of NLMK Group products

Novolipetsk Steel Service Centre (Metallobaza)

Sales of NLMK Group products, manufacturing  
of plastic and steel products

NLMK Engineering

SMT NLMK

NLMK IT

NLMK Communications

VIZ

VIZ-Broker

Gazobeton-48

NLMK INDIA Service Center Pvt Ltd

Other

Design and survey operations

Construction

IT and computing services

Telecom services

Steel baths 

Customs brokerage services

Gas-concrete blocks

Cutting and sales of GO steel

–

1  The GRI Standards: Core option requires obligatory disclosure of a selected set of indicators from GRI Standard 102 (General disclosures),  

as well as at least one indicator from the selected topic-specific GRI Standards

214

215

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

THE PROCESS 
OF DEFINING   
MATERIAL TOPICS

 GRI 102-46  In the process 
of defining the Report’s content, 
NLMK identified significant economic, 
environmental, and social topics 
that are of the greatest importance 
to the Company and its stakeholders. 
This approach was developed  
based on the requirements set out 
in the GRI Standards.

For the preparation of the 2020 Report, the heads of NLMK’s functional areas  
updated the list of  material topics based on an analysis of stakeholder (shareholders,  
investors, and analysts) requirements pertaining to the environment, the social 
sector, corporate governance, local communities, the authorities, market and social 
trends, and GRI Standards. 

A total of 21  material topics were identified and approved based on the analysis. 
These disclosures were also prioritized on the basis of a survey of internal 
stakeholders.

The GRI information disclosure requirements were met to the same extent for all 
topics regardless of their level of materiality. At the same time, topics with a high 
level of materiality were given special attention: additional detailed information 
about them is provided in the Report.

APPROACH TO DEFINING  MATERIAL TOPICS

1 Analysis of external  

sources

2 Analysis of stakeholder  

views

3 Listing  material  

topics

Analysis of public information 
about the Company 
and the mining and steel industry

Analysis of the results  
of a survey completed by  
internal stakeholders  
(members of the working group)

Approval of the list  
of material topics 
by the Group CEO

MATERIAL TOPICS  
 GRI 102-47 

Category

Topic

Level of materiality

Link to Global Sustainable 
Development Goals

Economic

201 

Economic Performance

High

201-2  Climate change

Medium

203 

Indirect Economic Impacts

Medium

205  Anti-Corruption

High

Benchmarking 
of material topics that 
are disclosed by international 
and Russian companies 
in the mining and steel industry

Analysis of the requirements 
of ESG analysts who determine 
ratings for sustainability 
practices

Preliminary list of material topics

Amended list of material topics

Approved list of material topics

Environmental

302   Energy

High

303   Water and Effluents

Medium

304   Biodiversity

Medium

305   Emissions

High

306   Effluents and Waste

High

307   Environmental  
Compliance

High

308   Supplier Environmental 

Medium

Assessment

216

217

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Category

Topic

Level of materiality

Link to Global Sustainable 
Development Goals

Social

401   Employment

High

403   Occupational Health  

High

and Safety

404   Training and Education

High

405   Diversity and Equal  
Opportunity

Medium

406   Non-Discrimination

High

407   Freedom of Association  
and Collective Bargaining

Medium

408   Child Labour

Low

409   Forced or Compulsory  

Low

Labour

411   Rights of indigenous  

Low

peoples

413   Local Communities

High

EXTERNAL ASSURANCE

Proper disclosure of qualitative 
and quantitative information 
prepared in accordance with the GRI 
Standards for selected indicators 
(sample information) has been verified 
in accordance with the International 
Standard on Assurance Engagements 
(ISAE) 3000 Revised, Assurance 
Engagements Other than Audits 
or Reviews of Historical Financial 
Information. The independent 
auditor's opinion on the results 
of the audit, which provides limited 
confidence in the sample information, 
can be found in the Appendix. 
The independent auditor was 
AO PricewaterhouseCoopers 
Audit  GRI 102-56 .

principles and requirements of the GRI Standards based on the Group’s existing 
processes for collecting and preparing business information  GRI 102-48, GRI 102-49 .

Financial information is presented in US dollars or Russian rubles in accordance 
with the financial reporting system used in the Group. In cases where financial  
data were recalculated in dollars, the weighted average rate for 2020 was used:  
USD 1 = RUB 72.15 or the rate on 31 December 2020: USD 1 = RUB 71.88.

Operating performance indicators and sustainability data are presented 
in the International System of Units (SI).

State mandatory statistical reporting forms, which are submitted to the relevant 
government agencies on an annual basis, were used as sources of sustainability 
information about staff management, occupational health and safety, 
and environmental protection.

For the sake of comparing data, the most significant indicators of the Group’s 
activities will be presented not only for the reporting period, but also 
for the previous four years. The scope of 2020 information disclosure covers both 
the Group’s Russian and international companies, unless the text states otherwise.

METHODOLOGY 
FOR PREPARING 
AND REVISING DATA

In 2020, the Company expanded its disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions, 
including Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions. In the next reporting periods, 
the Company plans to continue disclosing this information. Major step in 2020 was 
disclosure of information about climate change aspect.

The calculation, collection, 
and consolidation of the operational, 
social, and environmental indicators 
presented in the Report were carried 
out in accordance with the reporting 

In 2020 information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NLMK Group's 
operations was also disclosed. The decision to add this information to the the Report 
was made in response to the strong impact of this event at all levels of the global 
economy. The list of disclosed indicators of the structure and remuneration 
of personnel was also expanded.

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 APPROVAL PROCEDURE

No.

Stage

Document

1

2

Preliminary approval by the Board of Directors

MoM No. 279 dd 22.03.2021

Approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders

MoM No. 62 dd 29.04.2021

218

219

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

SASB INDICATORS

Indicator

Reference / Comment

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

EM-MM-110a.2 Discussion of long-term 
and short-term strategy or plan to 
manage Scope 1 emissions, emissions 
reduction targets, and an analysis of 
performance against those targets

NLMK Group progressively reducing greenhouse 
gas emissions by cutting consumption of fossil fuels, 
increasing energy efficiency, and introducing innovative 
decarbonization solutions.
The Board of Directors, the Board’s committees, 
СЕО (Chairman of the Management Board), and 
the Management Board determine strategic growth 
priorities and ensure overall sustainability management

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

EM-MM-130a.1 Total energy consumed, 
percentage grid electricity, percentage 
renewable

Total energy consumed – 396.4 PJ;
Percentage grid electricity – 17%;
Percentage renewable – 0.42%.

WATER MANAGEMENT

EM-MM-140a.1 Total fresh water 
withdrawn,  total fresh water consumed, 
percentage of each in regions with High or 
Extremely High Baseline Water Stress

BIODIRVERSITY IMPACTS

EM-MM-160a.1 Description of 
environmental management policies  
and practices for active sites

EM-MM-160a.2 Percentage of mine  
sites where:

Acid rock drainage is predicted  
to occur

Total fresh water withdrawn – 11,074 th m3
Ttotal fresh water consumed – 11,074 th m3 
The regions of the Group's presence are characterized  
by high availability of water resources. The Group does 
not operate in water-scarce areas.

NLMK Group conducts operations on both industrial 
lands and residential areas in line with applicable law. 
The Company’s activities have no direct significant 
impacts on biodiversity. NLMK Group production sites 
are not located on industrial sites that are leased. 
More specifically, they are not located on sites that are 
situated on environmentally protected land or on land 
with a high biodiversity value.

NLMK Group has one ore mining company, and acid 
effluents are not predicted to form there. Drainage 
waters as well as bottom waters at Stoilensky GOK pit 
mine are collected and pumped out into a buffer tank 
or a dam reservoir of the tailing dump. The control 
of the physical and chemical composition of drainage 
water is carried out both at the stage of entering 
the tailing dump and its near-dam reservoirs, and during 
the discharge of drainage water into a water body after 
biological treatment in natural conditions. The pH value 
(measure of acidity) of the drainage water entering 
the tailing dump and discharged into the water body is 
within the pH range of 7.7–8.0 (alkaline)

Acid rock drainage is actively mitigated

Not applicable. Acid effluents are not formed

Acid rock drainage is under treatment  
or remediation 

EM-MM-160a.3 Percentage of proved 
and probable reserves in or near sites 
with protected conservation status or 
endangered species habitat

Not applicable. Wastewater treatment is carried out by 
sedimentation of suspensions in the tailing dump and 
biological treatment in natural conditions.

Percentage of proved and probable reserves in or near 
sites with protected conservation status or endangered 
species habitat – 0%
All explored reserves are located within the contour 
of the mining allotment and do not lie within (or near) 
territories that have a conservation status or are 
a habitat for endangered species

Page

p. 191, p. 193

p. 203–208

p. 170

p. 183

p. 220

p. 220

p. 220

p. 220

Indicator

Reference / Comment

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

EM-MM-110a.1 Gross global Scope 1  
emissions, percentage covered under 
emissions-limiting regulations

Gross global Scope 1 emissions – 30 mn t CO2-equiv.
Only 1.2% is regulated by legal requirements at factories  
in the EU.

AIR QUALITY

EM-MM-120a.1 Air emissions of 
the following pollutants: (1) CO, (2) NOx 
(excluding N2O), (3) SOx, (4) particulate 
matter (PM10), (5) mercury (Hg),  
(6) lead (Pb), and (7) volatile organic 
compounds (VOCs)

(1) carbon monoxide (CO) - 230.1 thousand tons,  
(2) nitrogen oxides (excluding N2O) - 26.1 thousand tons,  
(3) sulfur oxides – 31.0 thousand tons, (4) solid particles 
23.0 thousand tons, (5) mercury (Hg) – 0 tons,  
(6) lead (Pb) – 1 ton, (7) volatile organic compounds (VOC) – 
2.6 thousand tons

Page

p. 193

p. 221

WASTE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

EM-MM-150a.1 Total weight of tailings 
waste, percentage recycled

Total weight of tailings – 21.4 million tons
The share of used tailings is 24% of the total volume.

p. 179, p. 221

EM-MM-150a.2 Total weight of mineral 
processing waste, percentage recycled

EM-MM-150a.3 Number of tailings 
impoundments, broken down by  
MSHA hazard potential

LABOR RELATIONS

EM-MM-310a.1 Percentage of active 
workforce covered under collective 
bargaining agreements, broken down  
by local and foreign employees

The total weight of overburden is 60.5 million tons  
(including non-waste).
The share of used overburden is 29% of the total volume

NLMK Group operates one tailing dump. Detailed 
information is available at the link https://nlmk.com/
upload/iblock/4dc/TSF-management.pdf

p. 221

p. 221

Without local and foreign employees stucture

p. 136

SECURITY, HUMAN RIGHTS, RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Company doesn’t have such reserves

According to the Company estimates, there is  
no presence of indigenous peoples in the regions  
where NLMK Group operates

EM-MM-210a.1 Percentage of (1) proved  
and (2) probable reserves in or near  
areas of conflict

EM-MM-210a.2 Percentage of proved  
and probable reserves in or near  
indigenous land

EM-MM-210a.3 Discussion of engagement 
processes and due diligence practices 
with respect to human rights, indigenous 
rights, and operation in areas of conflict

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

EM-MM-210b.1 Discussion of process  
to manage risks and opportunities 
associated with community rights and 
interests

EM-MM-210b.2 Number and duration  
of non-technical delays

There were no non-technical delays  
at Russian assets

ACTIVITY METRICS

EM-MM-000.A Production of (1) metal 
ores and (2) finished metal products

Saleble iron ore production: 18.5 mn t
Finished metal products production: 17.41

EM-MM-000.B Total number of employees

NLMK Group’s average 2020 headcount  
was 51,900 people

p. 221

p. 221

p. 112, p. 115

p. 112, p. 150

p. 221

p. 221

p. 121

220

221

1 

Including NBH.

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Indicator

Reference / Comment

BUSINESS ETHICS & TRANSPERANCY

EM-MM-510a.1 Description of 
the management system for  
prevention of corruption and bribery 
throughout the value chain

The Company has adopted the Code of Corporate Ethics  
and Anti-Corruption Policy. Whenever a new version  
of the Code of Corporate Ethics or Anti-Corruption Policy  
comes into effect, all employees of the Company review  
latest version and sign an acknowledgement form.
The Company also expects its business partners to 
adhere to basic values and principles of good business 
conduct. The Company’s business partners familiarize 
themselves with the provisions of the Code of Corporate 
Ethics during the qualification and selection of 
a counterparty as well as the conclusion of a contract.

EM-MM-510a.2 Production in countries 
that have the 20 lowest rankings  
in Transparency International’s 
Corruption Perception Index

NLMK Group does not have production assets  
in countries ranked in one of the last 20 places  
in the Transparency International Corruption 
Perceptions Index

Page

p. 88

p. 222

GRI INDEX

Indicator

Reference / Comment

Page

Independent verification

GRI 102: General Disclosures

1. ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

GRI 102-1 Name of the organization

GRI 102-2 Activities, brands, products,  
and services

GRI 102-3 Location of headquarters

GRI 102-4 Location of operations

GRI 102-5 Ownership and legal form

GRI 102-6 Markets served

GRI 102-7 Scale of the organization

GRI 102-8 Information on employees  
and other workers

GRI 102-9 Supply chain

GRI 102-10 Significant changes  
to the organization and its supply  
chain

GRI 102-11 Precautionary Principle  
or approach

GRI 102-12 External initiatives

GRI 102-13 Membership of associations

2. STRATEGY

GRI 102-14 Statement from senior 
decision-maker

3. ETHICS AND INTEGRITY

GRI 102-16 Values, principles, standards,  
and norms of behaviour

GRI 102-17 Mechanisms for advice and 
concerns about ethics

4. CORPORATE MANAGEMENT

GRI 102-18 Governance structure

GRI 102-20 Executive-level responsibility  
for economic, environmental,  
and social topics

The organizational  
structure of the Company 
can be found on its website 
at https://www.nlmk.com/ru/
about/group-structure/ 
The legal form of all 
companies belonging to 
NLMK Group is presented 
in the About the Report 
section.

In the reporting period, there 
were no significant changes  
in the structure and activities 
of the Company.

p. 8

p. 9

p. 44

p. 8, p. 20

p. 20

p. 8, p. 121

p. 121, p. 122

p. 110

p. 110

p. 80

p. 236

p. 236

p. 2

p. 30, p. 88, 
p. 96

p. 88, p. 114

p. 48

p. 31

✔
The average headcount  
(in total); Staff breakdown  
(by segment, region,  
contract type, gender, age  
and category).

✔ 
Procurement from suppliers 
of goods and materials by 
supplier country.

222

223

ANNUALREPORT   2020  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Independent verification

Indicator

Reference / Comment

GRI 102-55 GRI content index

GRI 102-56 External assurance

MATERIAL TOPICS

GRI 200 ECONOMIC

GRI 201 ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

GRI 103 Management Approach

GRI 201-1 Direct economic value  
generated and distributed

GRI 201-2 Financial implications  
and other risks and opportunities  
due to climate change

GRI 202 MARKET PRESENCE

GRI 202-1 Ratios of standard entry  
level wage by gender compared  
to local minimum wage

GRI 203 INDIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACTS

GRI 103 Management Approach

GRI 203-2 Significant indirect  
economic impacts

GRI 204 PROCUREMENT PRACTICES

GRI 204-1 Proportion of spending  
on local suppliers

GRI 205 ANTI-CORRUPTION

GRI 103 Management Approach

GRI 205-1 Operations assessed for risks 
related to corruption

GRI 205-2 Communication and training 
about anti-corruption policies and 
procedures

GRI 205-3 Confirmed incidents  
of corruption and actions taken

GRI 206 ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR

GRI 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive 
behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly 
practices

GRI 300 ENVIRONMENTAL 

GRI 302 ENERGY 

GRI 103 Management Approach

GRI 302-1 Energy consumption  
within the organization

✔
Employees covered  
by collective bargaining 
agreements, %.

Indicator

Reference / Comment

GRI 102-21 Consulting stakeholders on 
economic, environmental, and social topics

GRI 102-22 Composition of the highest 
governance body and its committees

GRI 102-23 Chair of the highest  
governance body

GRI 102-24 Nominating and selecting 
the highest governance body

GRI 102-25 Conflicts of interest

GRI 102-26 Role of highest governance body 
in setting purpose, values, and strategy

GRI 102-27 Collective knowledge of highest 
governance body

GRI 102-28 Evaluating the highest 
governance body’s performance

GRI 102-29 Identifying and managing 
economic, environmental, and social 
impacts

GRI 102-30 Effectiveness of risk  
management processes

GRI 102-32 Highest governance body’s role 
in sustainability reporting

GRI 102-35 Remuneration policies

GRI 102-36 Process for determining 
remuneration

GRI 102-37 Stakeholders’ involvement  
in remuneration

5. DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS

GRI 102-40 List of stakeholder groups

GRI 102-41 Collective bargaining  
agreements

GRI 102-42 Identifying and selecting 
stakeholders

GRI 102-43 Approach to stakeholder 
engagement

GRI 102-44 Key topics and concerns raised

6. REPORTING PRACTICE

GRI 102-45 Entities included in 
the consolidated financial statements

GRI 102-46 Defining report content  
 and topic boundaries

GRI 102-47 List of material topics

GRI 102-48 Restatements of information

GRI 102-49 Changes in reporting

GRI 102-50 Reporting period

GRI 102-51 Date of most recent report

GRI 102-52 Reporting cycle

GRI 102-53 Contact point for questions 
regarding the report

GRI 102-54 Claims of reporting in 
accordance with the GRI Standards

224

Page

p. 98

p. 54, p. 56, 
p. 67

p. 56

p. 53

p. 66

p. 53

p. 58

p. 64

p. 68

p. 80

p. 68

p. 77, p. 79

p. 77, p. 79

p. 77

p. 96

p. 136

p. 96

p. 96

p. 98

p. 214

p. 216

p. 217

p. 219

p. 219

p. 214

p. 214

p. 214

p. 44, p. 93

p. 214

Page

p. 214

p. 129

p. 40

p. 43, p. 132,  
p. 133, p. 156

p. 190

p. 125

p. 152

p. 152

p. 110

p. 152

p. 89

p. 88, p. 89

p. 89

p. 89

p. 205

p. 206, p. 207, 
p. 208

Independent verification

✔
Investment in external social 
programmes; Social spending 
for employees at the Russian 
assets of NLMK Group.

✔
Average employee salary  
at the Group.

✔
Proportion of spending  
on local suppliers.

✔
Gross energy consumption  
by the Company (excluding 
fuel consumption from 
renewable sources); 
Consumption from  
non-renewable fuels  
by the Company; Breakdown 
of non-renewable fuel 
consumption by the Company; 
Consumption, generation, and 
sale of electricity and thermal 
energy by the Company.

225

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Independent verification

Indicator

Reference / Comment

GRI 305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3)  
GHG emissions

Page

p. 193

Independent verification

✔
Other indirect (Scope 3)  
GHG emissions.

GRI 305-4 GHG emissions intensity

p. 194, p. 195 ✔ 

GRI 305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions

p. 195

GHG emissions intensity.

✔
Reduction of GHG emissions.

Indicator

GRI 302-3 Energy intensity

Page

p. 208

Reference / Comment

The Company considers 
it unhelpful to calculate 
the energy intensity 
indicator for the Group as 
a whole due to different 
production specifics at its 
companies. This indicator is 
calculated only for the main  
Russian production site – 
NLMK Lipetsk.

GRI 302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

GRI 303 WATER AND EFFLUENTS 

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 303-1 Interactions with water  
as a shared resource

GRI 303-2 Management of water  
discharge-related impacts

GRI 303-3 Water withdrawal

p. 210

p. 164

p. 170

p. 166, p. 170

p. 170, p. 171

GRI 303-4 Water discharge

p. 173

✔
Total volume of water 
withdrawn; Total volume  
of water withdrawn for the 
Group by needs, by sources 
and by region

✔
Total volume of water 
discharge by receiving water 
body; total volume of water 
discharge by regions 

GRI 303-5 Water consumption

p. 170, p. 172 ✔ 

Total volume of water recycled

GRI 304 BIODIVERSITY

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 304-1 Operational sites owned,  
leased, managed in, or adjacent to, 
protected areas and areas of high 
biodiversity value outside protected areas

GRI 304-2 Significant impacts of activities, 
products, and services on biodiversity

GRI 304-3 Habitats protected  
or restored

GRI 304-4 IUCN Red List species  
and national conservation list species  
with habitats in areas affected  
by operations

GRI G4-MM1 land rehabilitated

GRI 305 EMISSIONS

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

GRI 305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2)  
GHG emission

p. 164

p. 183

p. 183

p. 184

p. 174, p. 183

p. 183

p. 188

p. 192

p. 192

✔
Hectares of rehabilitation 
carries out of contaminated 
land.

✔
Direct GHG emissions  
(Scope 1).

✔
Indirect energy GHG emissions 
(Scope 2).

NLMK Group companies  
do not produce, emit  
or use ozone-depleting 
substances in its processes, 
except for the use as  
a reagent in chemical 
laboratory analyses in 
extremely limited quantities, 
as well as for refuelling 
compressor equipment, 
air conditioning and fire 
extinguishing systems.

In the course of 
the Company's activities 
in the reporting year, 
no significant spills were 
recorded.

NLMK Group's companies 
do not import or export 
hazardous waste or 
ship it internationally. 
Transportation of waste 
outside the Group's 
premises is carried out by 
specialized organizations 
with appropriate licenses.

GRI 305-6 Emissions of ozone-depleting 
substances (ODS)

GRI 305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOX),  
sulfur oxides (SOX), and other  
significant air emissions

GRI 306 EFFLUENTS AND WASTE 

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 306-1 Water discharge by quality  
and destination

GRI 306-2 Waste by type and  
disposal method

GRI 306-3 Significant spills

GRI 306-4 Transport of hazardous  
waste

GRI 307 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 103-2: The management approach  
and its components

GRI 307-1 Non-compliance  
with environmental laws and  
regulations

✔
Volume of significant air 
emissions by the Company  
by substance type.

p. 178

p. 164

p. 173

p. 179, p. 180 ✔

Waste generated by the Group 
by hazard class; the amount of 
recycled materials processed 
in-house; amount of secondary 
raw materials recycled by third 
parties; waste disposal  
at third-party landfills.

p. 164

p. 166

p. 166

✔
Spending on environmental 
protection (incl. investments  
projects and current 
expenditures).

226

227

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Indicator

Reference / Comment

Page

Independent verification

Indicator

Reference / Comment

Page

Independent verification

GRI 308 SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 308-1 New suppliers that were screened 
using environmental criteria

GRI 308-2 Negative environmental  
impacts in the supply chain  
and actions taken

p. 164

p. 168

p. 168

✔
Suppliers of feedstock, 
materials, and equipment  
to the Company screened 
using environmental criteria 
during audits;
Suppliers subject to measures 
to improve environmental 
compliance following audits  
(% of total audits conducted).

GRI 404-3 Percentage of employees 
receiving regular performance  
and career development reviews

GRI 405 DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies 
and employees

GRI 406 NON-DISCRIMINATION

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 406-1 Incidents of discrimination  
and corrective actions taken

GRI 407 FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

GRI 400 SOCIAL

GRI 401 EMPLOYMENT

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 401-1 New employee hires  
and employee turnover

GRI 403 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 403-1 Occupational health and safety 
management system

GRI 403-2 Hazard identification, risk 
assessment, and incident investigation

GRI 403-3 Occupational health services

GRI 403-4 Worker participation, 
consultation, and communication  
on occupational health and safety

GRI 403-5 Worker training  
on occupational health and safety

GRI 403-6 Promotion of worker health

GRI 403-7 Prevention and mitigation  
of occupational health and safety impacts 
directly linked by business relationships

GRI 403-8 Workers covered  
by an occupational health and safety 
management system

GRI 403-9 Work-related injuries

GRI 403-10 Work-related ill health

GRI 404 TRAINING AND EDUCATION

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 404-1 Average hours of training  
per year per employee

GRI 404-2 Programs for upgrading 
employee skills and transition  
assistance programs

228

p. 120

p. 122, p. 123 ✔

p. 140

p. 140

p. 142

p. 135

p. 142

p. 142

p. 133, p. 134

p. 142

p. 142

p. 142, p. 146, 
p. 147

p. 134

p. 127

p. 127

p. 127, p. 129,  
p. 131, p. 133

✔
LTIFR for employees  
and contractors; TRIFR for 
employees and contractors; 
Number of occupational 
accidents with employees  
and contractors; Total  
man-hours worked for 
employees and contractors.

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 407-1 Operations and suppliers  
in which the right to freedom of association 
and collective bargaining may be at risk

GRI 408 CHILD LABOR

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 408-1 Operations and suppliers  
at significant risk for incidents  
of child labour

GRI 409 FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 409-1 Operations and suppliers  
at significant risk for incidents  
of forced or compulsory labour

GRI 411 RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

GRI 411-1 Incidents of violations involving 
rights of indigenous peoples

GRI 412 HUMAN RIGHTS ASSESSMENT 

GRI 412-1 Operations that have been  
subject to human rights reviews  
or impact assessments

Company conciders there  
is no presence of indigenous 
peoples in the regions where 
NLMK Group operates. 

The question about  
possible violations  
of human rights is included  
in the annual corporate 
survey "Pulse NLMK", 
which covers the largest 
enterprises of the company.  
In the reporting year,  
there were no cases of 
human rights violations.

GRI 412-2 Employee training on human  
rights policies or procedures

GRI 413 LOCAL COMMUNITIES 

GRI 103: Management Approach

GRI 413-1 Operations with local community 
engagement, impact assessments, and 
development programs

GRI 413-2 Operations with significant  
actual and potential negative impacts  
on local communities

No such operations.

p. 125, p. 126 ✔ 

Employees who received  
a regular performance.

p. 120

p. 121, p. 122

p. 114

p. 116

p. 114

p. 114, p. 116

p. 114

p. 114, p. 116

p. 114

p. 114, p. 116

p. 115

p. 114

p. 114

p. 152

p. 97, p. 154, 
p. 155

229

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

GRI INDICATOR CONSOLIDATION BOUNDARIES

The GRI standard disclosures  
101 and 102 set out the reporting 
principles for determining the quality 
content, and also include information 

about the company’s profile, strategy, ethics and integrity, management, stakeholder 
engagement practices, and are collected by the NLMK Group. The standard GRI 
disclosure of the 103 series cover management approaches for all significant topics 
defined in the 200, 300, 400 series.

Indicator

Russia Flat Products
(Russia)

Russia Long Products 
(Russia)

Mining Division  
(Russia)

Information on employees and other workers 
(GRI 102-8)

Supply chain  
(GRI 102-9)

Collective bargaining agreements  
(GRI 102-41)

The management approach  
and its components  
(GRI 103-2)

Direct economic value  
generated and distributed  
(GRI 201-1)

Financial implications and other risks  
and opportunities due to climate change  
(GRI 201-2)

Ratios of standard entry level wage by gender 
compared to local minimum wage  
(GRI 202-1)

Market presence;  
average employee salary at the Group  
(GRI 203-2)

Procurement  
(GRI 204-1)

Anti-corruption  
(GRI 205-1, 205-2, 205-3)

Anti-competitive behaviour  
(GRI 206-1)

Energy  
(GRI 302-1)

Energy  
(GRI 302-4)

Water  
(GRI 303-1, 303-2, 303-3, 303-4, 303-5)

Biodiversity  
(GRI 304-1, 304-2, 304-3, 304-4, G4-MM1)

Emissions  
(GRI 305-1, 305-2, 305-3, 305-4, 305-5)

Emissions  
(GRI 305-7)

Effluents and waste  
(GRI 306-1, 306-2)

✔

✔1

✔

✔1

✔1

✔

✔1

✔

✔1

✔

✔

✔1

✔2

✔1

✔1

✔1

✔1

✔1

✔

✔3

✔

✔4

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔3

✔

✔

✔5

–

✔4

✔4

✔5

✔4

✔4

✔

✔6

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔6

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

NLMK USA

DanSteel  
and plate distribution 
network

NBH Segment

NLMK Clabecq S.A., 
NLMK Verona SpA, 
NLMK La Louviere S.A., 
NLMK Strasbourg S.A.

Other companies

Service 
and Supporting 
Business

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

–

✔8

–

✔9

✔

–

✔

–

✔

✔

–

–

–

–

✔9

–

–

✔

–

✔

✔11

✔12

✔

✔13

✔

–

✔

✔

–

–

✔11

✔11

✔14

✔11

✔11

230

231

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Indicator

Russia Flat Products
(Russia)

Russia Long Products 
(Russia)

Mining Division  
(Russia)

NLMK USA

DanSteel  
and plate distribution 
network

NBH Segment

NLMK Clabecq S.A., 
NLMK Verona SpA, 
NLMK La Louviere S.A., 
NLMK Strasbourg S.A.

Other companies

Service 
and Supporting 
Business

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔10

–

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔15

✔16

✔17

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Environmental compliance  
(GRI 307-1)

Supplier environmental assessment  
(GRI 308-1, 308-2)

Employment  
(GRI 401-1)

Occupational health and safety  
(GRI 403-1, 403-2, 403-3, 403-4, 403-5,  
403-6, 403-7, 403-8, 403-9, 403-10)

Training and education  
(GRI 404-1, 404-2, 404-3)

Diversity and equal opportunity  
(GRI 405-1)

Non-discrimination  
(GRI 406-1)

Freedom of association  
and collective bargaining  
(GRI 407-1)

Child labor  
(GRI 408-1)

Forced or compulsory labor  
(GRI 409-1)

Rights of indigenous peoples  
(GRI 411-1)

Human rights assessment  
(GRI 412-1, 412-2)

Local communities  
(GRI 413-1)

✔

✔

✔

✔1

✔1

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔5

✔5

✔1

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔7

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

1  Excluding NLMK Trading SA
2  Only NLMK Lipetsk
3  Excluding NLMK SORT and Vtorchermet NLMK
4  Excluding NLMK-URAL Service and NLMK SORT
5  Excluding NLMK SORT
6  Excluding Stagdok and Dolomit
7  Excluding Stagdok
8  Excluding NLMK Jemappes Steel Center, NLMK Profil Batiment and NLMK Liege Steel Distribution
9  Only NLMK Manage
10  Excluding NLMK Spain Steel, NLMK Belgium HoldingsSTRIP and Commercial-Plate-WorldQ&T
11  Only VIZ
12  Excluding VIZ-Broker, Blinovskoye, GK Metallurg, Ural'skaya zdravnica Nizhnie Sergi, Demidov Centre, GOK Usinskiy-3
13  Excluding NLMK India Service Center Pvt Ltd
14  Only VIZ and NLMK India Service Center Pvt Ltd
15  Excluding Blinovskoye, GK Metallurg, Ural'skaya zdravnica Nizhnie Sergi, Demidov Centre, GOK Zhernovsky-1, GOK Usinskiy-3
16  Only Novolipetsk metallobaza, NLMK-Engineering, NLMK-IT, NLMK-Svyaz, VIZ and NLMK India Service Center Pvt Ltd
17  Only Novolipetsk metallobaza, NLMK-Engineering, STROITEL'NO-MONTAZHNYJ TREST NLMK, NLMK-IT, NLMK-Svyaz, VIZ, Gazobeton-48 and  

NLMK INDIA Service Center Pvt Ltd

232

233

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Independent Limited Assurance Report  

To the Management of Novolipetsk Steel: 

Introduction 

We have been engaged by Novolipetsk Steel (hereinafter – the “Company”) to provide limited 
assurance on the selected information listed below and included in the 2020 Annual Report of the 
Company (hereinafter – the “Annual Report”). The Annual Report represents information related to the 
Company, its subsidiaries and a joint venture (hereinafter together – the “Group”). 

Selected information 

We assessed quantitative information specified in Appendix 1 (hereinafter – the “Selected 
Information”), that is disclosed in the Annual Report and referred to the GRI content index. 

The scope of our assurance procedures was limited to the Selected Information for the year ended 
31 December 2020 only. We have not performed any procedures with respect to earlier periods or any 
other items included in the Annual Report and, therefore, do not express any conclusion thereon.  

Reporting criteria 

We assessed the Selected Information using relevant criteria, including reporting requirements, in the 
respective GRI Standards 102, 103, 201, 202, 204, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 308, 401, 403, 404 
(hereinafter – the “GRI Standards”) published by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) (hereinafter – the 
“Reporting Criteria”). We believe that the Reporting Criteria are appropriate given the purpose of our 
limited assurance engagement. 

The Group’s responsibilities 

Management of the Group is responsible for: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation of the 
Selected Information that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error;  

establishing internal methodology and guidelines for preparing and reporting the Selected 
Information in accordance with the Reporting Criteria; 

preparation, measuring and reporting the Selected Information in accordance with the Reporting 
Criteria; and 

accuracy, completeness and presentation of the Selected Information. 

Our responsibilities 

We are responsible for: 

• 

• 

• 

planning and performing the engagement to obtain limited assurance about whether the 
Selected Information is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; 

forming an independent conclusion, based on the procedures we have performed and the 
evidence we have obtained; and 

reporting our conclusion to the management of the Group. 

This report, including our conclusion, has been prepared solely for the management of the Group in 
accordance with the agreement between us, to assist management in reporting on the Group’s 
sustainability performance and activities. We permit this report to be disclosed in the Annual Report, 
which may be published on the Company’s website1, to assist management in responding to their 
governance responsibilities by obtaining an independent limited assurance report in connection with 
the Selected Information. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the management of the Group for our work or this report.  

Professional standards applied and level of assurance 

We performed a limited assurance engagement in accordance with International Standard on 
Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) “Assurance Engagements other than Audits and Reviews of 
Historical Financial Information’’ issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. 
A limited assurance engagement is substantially less in scope than a reasonable assurance 
engagement in relation to both the risk assessment procedures, including an understanding of internal 
control, and the procedures performed in response to the assessed risks. 

Our independence and quality control 
We have complied with the independence and other ethical requirements of the International Code of 
Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the 
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA Code), which is founded on fundamental 
principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and 
professional behaviour, and the ethical requirements of the Auditor’s Professional Ethics Code and 
Auditor’s Independence Rules that are relevant to our limited assurance engagement in respect of the 
Selected information in the Russian Federation. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in 
accordance with these requirements 

Our firm applies International Standard on Quality Control 1 and accordingly maintains a 
comprehensive system of quality control including documented policies and procedures regarding 
compliance with ethical requirements, professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory 
requirements. 

Work done 

We are required to plan and perform our work in order to consider the risk of material misstatement of 
the Selected Information. In doing so, we: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

made enquiries of the Group’s management; 

conducted interviews of personnel responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and 
collection of underlying data; 

performed analysis of the relevant internal methodology and guidelines, gaining an 
understanding of the design of the key systems, processes and controls for preparing and 
reporting the Selected Information; and 

performed limited substantive testing on a selective basis of the Selected Information to check 
that data had been appropriately measured, recorded, collated and reported. 

1 The maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website is the responsibility of management; the work carried out by us does 
not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, we accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred 
to the reported Selected Information or Reporting Criteria when presented on the Company’s website. 

AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit  
White Square Office Center 10 Butyrsky Val Moscow, Russian Federation, 125047 
T: +7 (495) 967 6000, F:+7 (495) 967 6001, www.pwc.ru  

234

2 

235

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Reporting and measurement methodologies 
Reporting and measurement methodologies 

The range of different, but acceptable under the GRI Standards, measurement and reporting 
The range of different, but acceptable under the GRI Standards, measurement and reporting 
techniques can result in materially different reporting outcomes that may affect comparability with other 
techniques can result in materially different reporting outcomes that may affect comparability with other 
organisations. The Selected Information should therefore be read in conjunction with the methodology 
organisations. The Selected Information should therefore be read in conjunction with the methodology 
used by management in preparing the Annual Report, described therein, and which the Group is solely 
used by management in preparing the Annual Report, described therein, and which the Group is solely 
responsible for. 
responsible for. 

Limited assurance conclusion 
Limited assurance conclusion 

Based on the procedures we have performed and the evidence we have obtained, nothing has come to 
Based on the procedures we have performed and the evidence we have obtained, nothing has come to 
our attention that causes us to believe that the Selected Information for the year ended 31 December 
our attention that causes us to believe that the Selected Information for the year ended 31 December 
2020 has not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Reporting Criteria. 
2020 has not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Reporting Criteria. 

22 March 2021 

22 March 2021 

Moscow, Russian Federation  

Moscow, Russian Federation  

A. B. Fomin, certified auditor (licence No. № 01-000059),  
AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

A. B. Fomin, certified auditor (licence No. № 01-000059),  
AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Audited entity: Novolipetsk Steel PJSC 

Audited entity: Novolipetsk Steel PJSC 

Independent auditor: AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Independent auditor: AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 9 July 
2002 under State Registration Number 1024800823123 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 9 July 
2002 under State Registration Number 1024800823123 

Registered by the Government Agency Moscow Registration Chamber 
on 28 February 1992 under Nо. 008.890 

Registered by the Government Agency Moscow Registration Chamber 
on 28 February 1992 under Nо. 008.890 

Taxpayer Identification Number 4823006703 

Taxpayer Identification Number 4823006703 

2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, 398040, Russian Federation 

2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, 398040, Russian Federation 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 
Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 
22 August 2002 under State Registration Number 1027700148431 
22 August 2002 under State Registration Number 1027700148431 

Taxpayer Identification Number 7705051102 

Taxpayer Identification Number 7705051102 

Member of Self-regulatory organization of auditors Association 
«Sodruzhestvo» 

Member of Self-regulatory organization of auditors Association 
«Sodruzhestvo» 

Principal Registration Number of the Record in the Register of Auditors 
and Audit Organizations – 12006020338  

Principal Registration Number of the Record in the Register of Auditors 
and Audit Organizations – 12006020338  

Appendix 1 

The Selected Information 

GRI disclosure 

Information 

102-8 Information on employees 
and other workers 

•  The average headcount; 
•  Staff breakdown (by segment, region, contract type, 

gender, age and category).  

102-9 Supply chain 

•  Procurement from suppliers of goods and materials by 

supplier country. 

102-41 Collective bargaining 
agreements 

103-2 The management 
approach and its components 

•  Number of employees covered by collective bargaining 

agreements, %. 

•  Spending on environmental protection (incl. investments 

projects and current expenditures).  

201-1 Direct economic value 
generated and distributed 

Investment in external social programmes; 

• 
•  Social spending for employees at the Russian assets of 

202-1 Ratios of standard entry 
level wage by gender compared 
to local minimum wage 

204-1 Proportion of spending on 
local suppliers 

302-1 Energy consumption 
within the organization 

303-3 Water withdrawal 

303-4 Water discharge 

the Group. 

•  Average employee salary at the Group. 

•  Proportion of spending on local suppliers. 

•  Gross energy consumption by the Group (excluding 

consumption from renewable fuels); 

•  Consumption from non-renewable fuels by the Group; 
•  Breakdown of non-renewable fuel consumption by the 

Group; 

•  Consumption, generation, and sale of electricity and 

thermal energy by the Group. 

•  Total volume of water withdrawn;  
•  Total volume of water withdrawn for the Group by needs, 

by sources and by region. 

•  Total volume of water discharge by receiving water body; 
•  Total volume of water discharge by regions. 

303-5 Water consumption 

•  Total volume of water recycled. 

305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG 
emissions 

305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) 
GHG emissions 

305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3) 
GHG emissions 

•  Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1).  

• 

Indirect energy GHG emissions (Scope 2). 

•  Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions. 

305-4 GHG emissions intensity 

•  GHG emissions intensity. 

236

3 

3 

4 

237

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

GRI disclosure 

Information 

305-5 Reduction of GHG 
emissions 

305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOx), 
sulphur oxides (SOx), and other 
significant air emissions 

306-2 Waste by type and 
disposal method 

•  Reduction of GHG emissions. 

•  Volume of significant air emissions by the Group by 

substance type. 

•  Waste generated by the Group by hazard class; 
•  Secondary raw materials recycled by the Group; 
•  Secondary raw materials recycled third-party 

organizations; 

•  Waste disposal at third-party landfills. 

308-2 Negative environmental 
impacts in the supply chain and 
actions taken 

•  Suppliers of feedstock, materials, and equipment to the 

Group screened using environmental criteria during audits; 

•  Suppliers subject to measures to improve environmental 
compliance following audits (% of total audits conducted). 

401-1 New employees hires and 
employee turnover 

403-9 Work-related injuries 

404-3 Percentage of employees 
receiving regular performance 
and career development reviews 

G4-MM1 Amount of land 
disturbed or rehabilitated 

•  New employees hires and employee turnover. 

•  LTIFR for employees and contractors; 
•  TRIFR for employees and contractors; 
•  Number of occupational accidents, employees and 

contractors; 

•  Total man-hours worked for employees and contractors. 

•  Employees who received a regular performance.  

•  Hectares of land rehabilitated. 

NLMK’S INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE CONCLUSION 
ON THE RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL 
CONTROL IN THE COMPANY IN 2020

In 2020, the Internal Audit Service evaluated the reliability and efficiency of risk management and internal control system 
to confirm the existence and efficient functioning of the controls necessary to manage material risks in NLMK’s key business 
processes.

In its activities, the Internal Audit Service was guided by the Federal Law “On Joint-Stock Companies”, the Bank of Russia 
Corporate Governance Code, the Regulations on the Audit Department, International Professional Standards of Internal Audit, 
internl audit guidelines and practices, documents of international professional organizations in the field of risk management 
and internal control, including ISO 31000:2018, COSO ERM: 2017 and COSO 2013, as well as internal regulatory documents 
of the NLMK Audit Department.

In the course of the evaluation, the Internal Audit Service considered whether the Company has functioning controls in place,  
that are necessary to implement in practice the relevant principles of material risk management and internal control 
in the following processes in the Company: Supply of raw materials, Repairs, Production, Operational efficiency, Contractor 
qualification, Procurement procedures, Conclusion of contracts, Compliance with anti-corruption requirements, etc.

Following the evaluation, we have not found any facts that would give us reason to believe that the controls in question preclude 
the Company from managing its material risks.

E. Sidorova 
Audit Director 
(Head of the Internal Audit Service)

Lipetsk, 10 March 2021

238

239

5 

ANNUALREPORT   2020 
 
 
 
 
Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 
AND EXTERNAL INITIATIVES

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

NLMK management, having considered the information available regarding the activities of the Company, confirms its 
responsibility for:

Preparation and reliability of the Group’s consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as of December 
31, 2020 and also for the year ended on that data, within balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, 
equity statements and the statements on the total income of shareholders and notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Management confirms the reliability of NLMK’s financial status, operational results and cash flow results, as well as that of its 
companies and dependent companies in the consolidated financial statements.

The completeness and correctness of the information submitted in the NLMK Group Annual Report for 2020, specifically 
the information on the operational results of NLMK Group, the results of its strategic development, risks, and events which 
in the near future may have impact on the operations of the Group.

The Company management confirms that the operational and financial indices fully reflect the outcome of NLMK Group’s 
operations in 2020 and main changes regarding the previous periods as well as give a comprehensive representation 
on the development of NLMK and its companies and dependent companies.

G. Fedorishin 
CEO (Chairman of the Management Board) 

NLMK Group plays an active part 
in the life of the professional 
community, helping to address topical 
issues in the industry, including 
sustainability matters. Participation 
in external initiatives is a priority 
for NLMK Group.

Representatives of the Group are not only active in a number of industry 
associations and relevant commissions and committees, they also head some 
of them, which allows the Group to play an active role in shaping the views and values 
of the business community. For instance, NLMK Group Chairman of the Board 
of Directors Vladimir Lisin is also Chairman of the Commission on Metals 
and the Committee on Taxation Policy as well as member of the Management Bureau 
of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).

NLMK GROUP’S PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS  
AND EXTERNAL INITIATIVES   GRI 102-12, 102-13 

Association/Initiative

NLMK Group’s status

World Steel Association, an international association 
of iron and steel product manufacturers

Membership in the Association
2018 signatory to the Sustainable Development Charter of the World 
Steel Association
Participation in conferences and seminars enabling the sharing  
of best practices in occupational health and safety
Provision of information about sustainability indicators

UN Global Compact

Participant in the Global Initiative

The Russian Union of Industrialists  
and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)

Russian Steel Association

European Steel Association (EUROFER)

Council of Electricity Consumers  
of the Russian Federation

Expert Council of the Committee on Transport  
and Construction of the State Duma  
of the Russian Federation

RUSLOM.COM (Non-Profit Partnership  
National Self-Regulatory Organization  
for the Recycling of Ferrous  
and Non-Ferrous Metal Scrap and Waste  
and Recycling of Vehicles)

Membership in the Management Bureau and the Board
Chairmanship of the Commission on Metals 
Participation in other Commissions and Committees, including: 
the Commission on Mining, the Committee on Corporate Social 
Responsibility and Demographic Policies, the Committee on 
Vocational Training and Qualifications, the Committee on Competition 
Development, Committee on Ecology and Environment Management, 
Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation

President and Vice President of the Association
Membership in all commissions of the Association, including 
the Commission for protection of labour, industrial and environmental 
safety

Membership in the Association and on the Board
Participation in working groups

Membership in the Council

Membership in the Council
Participation in the Council as an expert

Party to the Partnership

Anti-Corruption Charter of Russian Business

Party to the Charter

Steel Construction Development Association

Participation in the Association

240

241

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE ‘DIRECTIVE 
ON INFORMATION DISCLOSURE BY SECURITY 
ISSUERS‘

No

Regulation

Reference 
to the clause

Status 
of compliance

Comments

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in part 
“About Company”, section Company 
Profile 

Information is represented in part 
“About Company”, section Strategy 2022, 
2020 performance review 

Information is represented in part 
“About Company”, section Strategy in 
action 

Information is represented in in 
Appendix 

Information is represented in part 
“About Company”, section Strategy 2022

Information is represented in part 
“Corporate governance”, section 
Information for shareholders and 
investors and Appendix 

Information is represented in part 
“Corporate governance”, section 
Operational control and risk 
management

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in part 
“Corporate governance”, section Board 
of Directors

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in part 
“Corporate governance”, section 
Management Board

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Information about Joint-stock 
company position in the industry

Information about strategy  
in joint-stock company development

Report of the Board on results  
of joint-stock company strategy 
development

Information about consumption  
of energy resources 

Information about development 
perspectives

Report on dividends declared

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

Information about key risk factors

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

70.3.

List of transactions which are 
recognized as major transactions in 
line with the Federal Law “On Joint-
stock Companies”

List of transactions recognized as 
interested-party transactions in line 
with the Federal Law “On Joint-stock 
Companies”

Composition of the Board of Directors, 
changes in Composition of the Board  
of Directors, information about Board 
of Directors members, Board of 
Directors members transactions with 
company shares

Information about the person holding 
the position (exercising the functions) 
of the sole executive body of 
the Company and the members 
of the collegial executive body, 
transactions made by the person 
holding the position (exercising 
functions) of the sole executive body 
and (or) members of the collegial 
executive body for the acquisition or 
disposal of shares of the joint-stock 
company

12

Joint-stock company policy in 
the field of remuneration and (or) 
compensation of expenses

70.3.

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in part 
“Corporate governance”, section Report 
on remuneration paid to governing 
bodies

No

Regulation

Reference 
to the clause

Status 
of compliance

Comments

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Report on compliance with 
the Corporate Governance Code 
principles and recommendations

Information on the approval of 
the annual report by the general 
meeting of shareholders or the board 
of directors of a joint-stock company

Corporate Governance Code: 
Statement by the board of directors 
(supervisory board) of the joint-
stock company on compliance with 
corporate governance principles 
stated in the Corporate Governance 
Code, and if such principles are not 
followed by the joint-stock company 
or are not fully respected by them, 
indicating these principles and a brief 
description of what part they are not 
observed

Corporate Governance Code: a brief 
description of the most significant 
aspects of the corporate governance 
model and practice in a joint-stock 
company

Corporate Governance Code: 
Description of the methodology 
by which the joint-stock company 
assessed compliance with corporate 
governance principles enshrined  
in the Corporate Governance Code

Corporate Governance Code: 
Explanation of key reasons, factors 
and (or) circumstances that should 
be specific, due to which the joint-
stock company does not comply or 
does not fully comply with corporate 
governance principles enshrined in 
the Corporate Governance Code

Corporate Governance Code: 
Description of corporate governance 
mechanisms and tools that are used 
by the joint-stock company instead of 
those recommended by the Corporate 
Governance Code

Corporate Governance Code:  
Expected actions and activities of 
the joint-stock company to improve 
the corporate governance model and 
practice, indicating the timing for 
the implementation of such actions  
and activities

Section on the status of net assets,  
if at the end of the second reporting 
year or each subsequent reporting 
year the value of the net assets of 
the joint-stock company is less than  
its authorized capital

70.3.

70.3.

70.4.

70.4.

70.4.

70.4.

70.4.

70.4.

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in Appendix

Information is represented in Appendix

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in Appendix

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in Appendix

Compliance 
ensured

Information is represented in Appendix

70.5.

Not applicable

–

242

243

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Company name

Address

Activity

NLMK Lipetsk share 
in charter capital, %

1

16.

17.

18.

2

NLMK Overseas Holdings  
Limited Liability Company

3

Lipetsk, Russia

Novolipetskaya Metallobaza 
Limited Liability Company 

NLMK Construction and 
Assembly Trust Limited  
Liability Company

Lipetsk, Russia

Lipetsk, Russia

5

100

100

100

4

Developing the growth 
strategy for NLMK Group 
companies, supporting 
relations between the Group’s 
Russian and international 
businesses

Manufacturing of plastic  
and steel products

Contracting of industrial, 
housing, utilities, cultural 
services, and road 
construction works. 
Construction of health 
facilities and household 
natural gas supply lines

19.

20.

NLMK Trading House,  
Limited Liability Company

Uralvtorchermet,  
Limited Liability Company

AFFILIATED COMPANIES

21.

Neptune Limited Liability 
Company

Moscow, Russia

Sale of NLMK Group products

100

Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk 
Region, Russia

Consulting services re 
commercial activities, 
management, investing  
in securities, leasing  
of assets

Lipetsk, Russia, 398005, 
1C Adm. Makarova St., 
Office 35

Sports and recreation 
services

100

25

NLMK COMPANIES AND AFFILIATES  
AS OF 31.12.2020

No.

Company name

Address

Activity

NLMK Lipetsk share 
in charter capital, %

1

2

SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

3

4

1.

Altai-Koks Joint-Stock Company

Zarinsk, Altaisky Region, 
Russia

Production and marketing 
of coke and by-products, 
generation and marketing  
of heat and electric power

Dolomit Joint-Stock Company

Stoilensky Mining and 
Beneficiation Plant  
Joint-Stock Company

Studenovskaya Joint-Stock 
Mining Company

Dankov, Lipetsk Region, 
Russia

Mining and processing  
of dolomite

Stary Oskol, Belgorod 
Region, Russia

Mining and processing of  
iron ore and other minerals

Studenovskaya industry 
area, Vvedensky local 
council, Lipetsk District, 
Lipetsk Region, Russia

Production of fluxing 
limestone for steelmaking, 
process limestone for  
the sugar industry,  
lime-containing materials 
and crushed stone for 
construction and roadwork

5

100

100

100

100

NLMK Engineering Joint-Stock 
Company 

NLMK Ural Joint-Stock Company

Lipetsk, Russia

Design and survey operations

100

Revda,  
Sverdlovsk Region, Russia

Production of long steel  
stock, hot-rolled and forged 
flat steel

92.59

VIZ-Steel Limited Liability 
Company

Vtorchermet NLMK  
Limited Liability Company

Zhernovsky-1 Mining and 
Processing Complex  
Limited Liability Company

Hotel Metallurg  
Limited Liability Company

Yekaterinburg,  
Sverdlovsk Region, Russia

Production and marketing  
of electrical steel

Yekaterinburg,  
Sverdlovsk Region, Russia

Collection, processing,  
and sales of ferrous  
and non-ferrous scrap

Novokuznetsk,  
Kemerovo Region, Russia

Entire range of works related 
to coal mining and processing

Lipetsk, Russia

Hotel services

NLMK Information Technologies 
Limited Liability Company 

Lipetsk, Russia

NLMK Kaluga  
Limited Liability Company

Vorsino,  
Borovsk District, Kaluga 
Region, Russia

NLMK Metalware  
Limited Liability Company

Beryozovsky, Sverdlovsk 
Region, Russia

IT, computing, and telecom 
services

Production of steel,  
re-rolling stock (billets), 
hot-rolled and forged flats, 
unpainted and pre-painted 
cold-rolled flat steel

Production of wire,  
wire products, fasteners,  
and springs

NLMK Communications  
Limited Liability Company 

NLMK Long Products  
Limited Liability Company

Lipetsk, Russia

Telecom services

Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk 
Region, Russia

Managing company, trading 
and procurement activities

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

244

245

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

USAGE OF ENERGY RESOURCES (FUELS AND COALS) 
OF NLMK (NOVOLIPETSK) IN 2019–2020

Name

Electric energy

Natural gas

Heating energy

Gas oil

Benzine

Heating oil

Coking coal

Item

mln kWth

mln of RUB with VAT

mln m3.

mln of RUB with VAT

GCal

mln of RUB with VAT

‘000 liters

mln of RUB with VAT

t

mln of RUB with VAT

t

mln of RUB with VAT

‘000 t

mln of RUB with VAT

2020

2,555

3,713

2,044

11,377

24,237

41

22,311

899

253

14

3,101

16

4,848

36,071

2019

2,442

3,924

2,145

11,689

84,837

146

21,967

930

294

16

1,115

6

4,736

50,375

Change, %

5

−5

−5

−3

−71

−72

2

−3

−14

−10

178

169

2

−28

LIST OF TRANSACTIONS PERFORMED BY NLMK 
IN 2020 RECOGNIZED AS MAJOR TRANSACTIONS 
IN LINE WITH THE FEDERAL LAW "ON JOINT-STOCK 
COMPANIES" AND OF OTHER TRANSACTIONS 
FALLING UNDER THE EXTENDED PROCEDURE 
FOR APPROVING MAJOR TRANSACTIONS IN LINE 
WITH THE COMPANY’S CHARTER

In 2020, NLMK did not perform any 
transactions that the Federal Law  
“On Joint-Stock Companies”  

recognizes as major transactions. NLMK’s Charter does not specify any additional 
cases falling under the extended procedure for approval of major transactions 
in line with the Federal Law “On Joint-Stock Companies”.

LIST OF TRANSACTIONS PERFORMED  
BY NLMK IN 2020 RECOGNIZED  
AS INTERESTED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS  
IN LINE WITH THE FEDERAL LAW  
"ON JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES"

An interested-party transaction 
is a transaction involving an interest 
of a member of the Board of Directors, 
the CEO (Chairman of the Management 
Board), the Interim or Acting CEO 
(Chairman of the Management Board), 
a member of the Management Board 
of the Company or a controlling 
entity of the Company, or an entity 
entitled to give binding instructions 
to the Company in accordance 
with the Federal Law “On Joint-Stock 
Companies”. 

A resolution on consent to an interested-
party transaction shall be passed  
by the Board of Directors 
of the Company, unless otherwise 
stipulated in the Federal Law  
“On Joint-Stock Companies”.

A resolution on consent to such  
a transaction shall be passed 
by the Company’s Board of Directors  
by the majority of votes of the directors  
who are not interested in the transaction, 
and who are not, and have not been, 
within 1 year prior to such a resolution:

 ● The CEO (Chairman of the Management Board), the Interim or Acting CEO 

(Chairman of the Management Board), the executive manager of the Company, 
a member of the Management Board, a person holding offices in management 
bodies of the managing entity.

 ● A person whose spouse, parents, children, full-blood and half-blood brothers 

and sisters, adoptive parents, and adoptees are persons holding offices 
in the said management bodies of the Company, managing entity of the Company 
or holding the office of a manager of the Company.

 ● A controlling entity of the Company or the Company’s managing organization 

(manager) entrusted with the functionality of the Company’s sole executive body 
or entitled to give mandatory instructions to the Company. 

 ● Resolution on consent to an interested-party transaction shall be passed 
by the General Meeting of Shareholders by the majority of votes of all 
the shareholders (owners of the Company’s voting shares participating 
in the voting) who are not interested in the transaction, in the following cases:

 ● In case a transaction or several related transactions are made in respect 

of the property with a book value (quotation price of the acquired property)  
of 10 or more percent of the book value of the Company’s assets according  
to its accounting (financial) statements as of the latest reporting date.

 ● If a transaction or several related transactions involve the sale of common 

shares keeping records of over two percent of the common shares distributed 
by the Company earlier, and common shares which earlier distributed securities 
convertible into shares can be converted into, unless the Charter provides 
for a lower number of shares.

In 2020, neither the General Meeting of Shareholders nor the Board of Directors 
passed resolutions regarding interested-party transactions.

246

247

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE CODE PRINCIPLES 
AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The present report on observance 
of principles and recommendations 
of the Corporate Governance Code  
was reviewed by NLMK’s Board 
of Directors at the 22.03.2021 meeting 
[MoM No. 279]. 

The Board of Directors confirms that 
the data given in the present report 
contain complete and reliable information 
on the Company’s observance 
of principles and recommendations 
of the Corporate Governance Code 
in 2020.

A detailed description of the key 
aspects of the corporate governance 

model and practices is presented in the Corporate Governance section 
of the Annual Report.

Information on compliance with specific principles and key recommendations 
of the Corporate Governance Code is presented in the table below in the format 
recommended for use by the Bank of Russia. 

The methodology for evaluating NLMK's compliance with the principles of corporate  
governance enshrined in the Corporate Governance Code is based 
on the Recommendations for compiling reports on compliance with Corporate 
Governance Code principles and recommendations (Letter of the Bank of Russia  
No. IN-06-52/8 dd. 17 February 2016).

Explanations of non-compliance with the criteria of the corporate governance 
principles, a description of corporate governance mechanisms and tools, and plans 
for its improvement are given in the table below, as well as in the Corporate 
Governance section of the Annual Report.

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.1

1.1.1.

1.1.2.

The Company shall provide equal and fair treatment to all shareholders exercising their right to participate  
in the Company governance.

The Company 
creates the most 
favourable conditions 
for shareholders 
to participate in 
the General Meeting 
of Shareholders, 
to elaborate 
an informed position on 
General Meeting agenda 
items, and to coordinate 
their actions, as well as 
a possibility to express 
their opinions in relation 
to the items under 
consideration.

The procedure of 
notifying about 
upcoming General 
Meetings and 
submission of materials 
for the General 
Meeting enables 
shareholders to get 
properly prepared for 
participation therein.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Company’s internal 
document approved by 
the General Meeting and 
regulating the General Meeting 
procedures is publicly available.

2.  The Company provides 
an accessible way of 
communication with 
the Company, such as 
a hotline, e-mail, or web-based 
message board, which allows 
shareholders to express their 
opinion and ask questions 
about an agenda in the course 
of the General Meeting 
preparation. The Company 
ensured the compliance with 
the above-mentioned criteria 
shortly before the convocation 
of every General Meeting 
within the reporting period.

1.  A notice of the General Meeting 
of Shareholders is published  
on the Company’s website  
at least 30 days ahead of 
the date of the meeting.
2.  The notice of the General 

Meeting specifies the venue 
of the meeting and 
the documents needed to 
access the venue.

3.  Shareholders have access 
to the information about 
who proposed the agenda 
items and who nominated 
the candidates for election 
to the Board of Directors 
and audit commission of 
the Company.

248

249

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.1.3.

1.1.4.

In preparation for 
the General Meeting 
of Shareholders 
and its convocation, 
shareholders were able 
to receive information 
on the meeting and 
materials therefor, to 
ask executive bodies 
and members of 
the Company’s Board 
of Directors questions, 
and to communicate 
with each other freely 
and in a timely manner.

The shareholders 
experienced no 
unnecessary 
complications in 
exercising their 
right to convene 
a General Meeting 
of Shareholders, to 
nominate candidates 
to the governing 
bodies, and to propose 
agenda items for 
a General Meeting of 
Shareholders.

1.1.5.

Every shareholder had 
an opportunity for 
unhindered exercise 
of their voting right 
in the simplest and 
the most convenient 
manner.

1. 

In the reporting period 
shareholders were given 
a chance to ask questions to 
members of executive bodies 
and of the Company’s Board 
of Directors shortly before 
and during the Annual General 
Meeting of Shareholders.
2.  The opinion of the Board of 
Directors (including specific 
opinions entered into 
the MoM) on each agenda 
item of the General Meetings 
of Shareholders held within 
the reporting period was 
quoted in the materials 
to the General Meeting of 
Shareholders.

3.  In all cases of General 

Meeting of Shareholders 
convocation in the reporting 
period, the Company 
provided access to a list of 
persons having the right to 
participate in the General 
Meeting of Shareholders to 
the shareholders entitled to 
it starting from the date on 
which the Company received it.

In the reporting period, 
shareholders had 
an opportunity to propose 
items for inclusion in 
the agenda of the Annual 
General Meeting of 
Shareholders at least 60 days 
after the respective calendar 
year-end.

1. 

2.  In the reporting period 
the Company did not 
refuse to accept proposals 
on the agenda items or 
candidates to the Company’s 
governing bodies due to 
misprints and other minor 
faults in a shareholder’s 
proposal.

1.  The Company’s internal 

document (internal policy) 
contains provisions according 
to which every participant 
of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders can request 
a copy of the ballot they filled 
in, certified by the Counting 
commission, before the end of 
the respective meeting.

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.1.6.

The General Meeting 
rules of procedure 
established by 
the Company provide 
for equal opportunity 
for all persons present 
at the meeting to 
express their opinions 
and ask questions.

1.  When General Meetings of 
Shareholders were held 
in the reporting period 
in the form of a meeting 
(the joint presence of 
shareholders), sufficient 
time was given for reports 
on the agenda items and to 
discuss those items.

2.  Candidates to the Company’s 
management and supervision 
bodies were available to 
answer questions from 
shareholders in those 
meetings where their 
nominations were put to vote.
3.  While taking decisions related 
to preparation and holding 
of General Meetings of 
Shareholders, the Board of 
Directors studied the issue 
of using telecommunications 
to provide shareholders with 
remote access to participate 
in General Meetings of 
Shareholders in the reporting 
period.

1.2.

1.2.1

1.2.2.

1.2.3.

The shareholders are provided an equal and fair opportunity to participate in the Company’s profit  
by receiving dividends.

The Company developed 
and implemented 
a transparent and clear 
mechanism of dividend 
determination and 
payment.

The Company does 
not make decisions to 
pay dividends if such 
a decision, though 
not violating legal 
restrictions formally, is 
economically groundless 
and can lead to false 
representations of 
the Company’s business.

The Company does not 
allow for deterioration 
of its shareholders’ 
dividend rights.

1.  The Dividend Policy was 

developed by the Company, 
approved by the Board of 
Directors, and disclosed.
2.  If the Company’s Dividend 
Policy uses the Company’s 
statement indicators 
to determine dividends, 
the respective provisions of 
the Dividend Policy take into 
account consolidated financial 
statement indicators.

1.  The Company’s Dividend Policy 

contains clear indications 
of financial/economic 
circumstances under which 
dividends should not be paid.

1. 

In the reporting period, 
the Company did not take 
any actions resulting in 
the deterioration of its 
shareholders’ dividend rights.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

250

251

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.2.4.

1. 

The Company seeks to 
prevent shareholders 
from using other 
methods of obtaining 
profit (income) at 
the Company's expense, 
except for dividends and 
liquidation value.

In order to prevent 
shareholders from using other 
methods of obtaining profit 
(income) at the Company's 
expense, except for dividends 
and liquidation value, 
the Company's internal 
documents establish control 
mechanisms ensuring 
timely determination and 
an approval procedure for 
transactions with persons 
affiliated with (related to) 
material shareholders 
(persons entitled to dispose 
of the votes attributed to 
the issuer’s voting shares) in 
cases when such transactions 
are not legally recognized as 
interested-party transactions

1.3.

1.3.1.

1.3.2.

1.4.

1.4.

The corporate governance system and practices ensure parity for all shareholders owning shares of the same 
category (type), including minority shareholders and foreign shareholders, and their equal treatment by 
the Company.

The Company has 
established conditions 
for the fair treatment 
of each shareholder 
by the Company’s 
management 
and supervisory 
bodies, including 
conditions ensuring 
the inadmissibility 
of abuses of minor 
shareholders by major 
shareholders.

The company does not 
take any actions which 
result in or may result in 
artificial redistribution 
of corporate 
governance.

1.  During the reporting period, 

procedures to manage 
potential conflicts of material 
shareholders’ interests were 
effective, and the Board of 
Directors paid due attention 
to shareholders’ conflicts, if 
any.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  There are no quasi-treasury 
shares or they have not 
participated in voting within 
the reporting period.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Shareholders are provided with a reliable and efficient procedure for registration of their shareholder rights  
and a possibility to dispose of their shares in a free and unhindered manner.

Shareholders are 
provided with a reliable 
and efficient procedure 
for registration of their 
shareholder rights and 
a possibility to dispose 
of their shares in a free 
and unhindered manner.

2.  The quality and reliability 

of the Registrar’s activities 
in maintaining the Register 
of shares comply with 
the requirements of 
the Company and its 
shareholders.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

2.1.

2.1.1.

2.1.2.

2.1.3.

2.1.4.

The Board of Directors performs strategic management of the Company, identifies the basic principles  
and approaches to the Company’s risk management and internal control systems, supervises the activity  
of the Company’s executive bodies, and performs other key functions.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The Board of Directors 
is responsible for taking 
decisions related to 
the appointment and 
dismissal from office 
of executive bodies, 
including because of 
underperformance. 
The Board of 
Directors ensures that 
the Company's executive 
bodies act in compliance 
with the approved 
development strategy 
and core businesses of 
the Company.

The Board of Directors 
defines the main 
reference points 
of the Company's 
business on a long-term 
basis, evaluates and 
approves key business 
indicators and main 
business objectives of 
the Company, assesses 
and approves strategy 
and business plans 
related to core activities 
of the Company.

The Board of Directors 
defines the principles 
and approaches of 
the Company’s risk 
management and 
internal control system.

The Board of Directors 
defines the Company's 
policy on remuneration 
and/or reimbursement 
of expenses 
(compensations) to 
members of the Board 
of Directors, executive 
bodies, and other 
key executives of 
the Company.

1. 

In line with the Company’s 
Charter, the Board of 
Directors is entitled to appoint 
members of executive bodies, 
dismiss them from office, 
and define their contractual 
terms and conditions.
2.  The Board of Directors 

reviewed the report (reports) 
of the sole executive body 
and members of the collegial 
executive body on execution 
of the Company's strategy.

1.  Within the reporting period 
the Board of Directors 
reviewed the following 
issues: status and update 
of the Company’s strategy; 
approval of the Company’s 
business plan (budget); 
consideration of criteria and 
indicators (including interim 
ones) of the Company's 
strategy and business plan 
execution.

1.  The Board of Directors defined 
the principles and approaches 
to the arrangement 
of the Company’s risk 
management and internal 
control system.

2.  The Board of Directors 

evaluated the Company’s risk 
management and internal 
control system within 
the reporting period.

1.  The Company elaborated and 
introduced the policy (policies) 
approved by the Board of 
Directors on remuneration 
and reimbursement of 
expenses (compensations) 
to members of the Board 
of Directors, executive bodies, 
and other key executives 
of the Company.
2.  During the reporting 

period the issues related 
to the above policy (policies) 
were reviewed at Board of 
Directors meetings.

252

253

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Board of Directors plays 
a key role in the prevention, 
identification, and settlement 
of internal conflicts.

2.  The Company established 
a system for identifying 
transactions related to 
a conflict of interests and 
a system of measures aimed 
at the settlement of such 
conflicts.

1.  The Board of Directors 

approved the Regulations on 
Information Policy.

1.  The Company appointed 
persons responsible for 
ensuring compliance with 
the Information Policy.

1.  During the reporting period 
the Board of Directors 
reviewed the Company’s 
corporate governance 
practices.

The Board of Directors 
plays a key role in 
the prevention, 
identification, and 
settlement of internal 
conflicts between 
the Company's bodies, 
shareholders, and 
employees.

The Board of Directors 
plays a key role in 
ensuring the Company’s 
transparency, 
timely and complete 
information disclosure, 
and easy access 
for shareholders 
to the Company’s 
documents.

The Board of Directors 
exercises control 
over the corporate 
governance practices 
in the Company 
and plays a key role 
in the Company’s 
significant corporate 
events.

2.1.5.

2.1.6.

2.1.7.

2.2.

2.2.1.

The Board of Directors is accountable to the Company’s shareholders.

Information on 
the activities of 
the Board of Directors is 
disclosed and provided 
to shareholders.

1.  The Company’s Annual 

Report for the reporting 
period includes information 
on individual directors’ 
attendance of the Board of 
Directors and committee 
meetings.

2.  The Annual Report contains 
information on the key 
results of an evaluation 
of the Board of Directors’ 
activities performed during 
the reporting period.

1.  The Company employs 

a transparent procedure 
enabling shareholders to ask 
questions to the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors and 
share their opinion on these 
matters with them.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

2.2.2.

The Chairman 
of the Board of 
Directors is available 
for communication 
with the Company's 
shareholders.

The Board of Directors is an effective and professional governing body of the Company, capable of making impartial 
independent judgements and decisions that are in the interest of the Company and its shareholders.

2.3.

2.3.1.

Only persons who 
have an impeccable 
business and personal 
reputation, and have 
the knowledge, skills, 
and experience required 
to make decisions within 
the Board of Directors’ 
area of expertise 
and necessary 
for the effective 
performance of its 
functions are elected as 
members of the Board 
of Directors.

2.3.2.

1. 

Members of the Board 
of Directors are elected 
through a transparent 
procedure that allows 
shareholders to 
receive information 
on the candidates, 
sufficient to get an idea 
of their personal and 
professional qualities.

1.  The procedure for 

assessing the efficiency 
of the Board of Directors 
adopted in the Company 
includes an evaluation of 
the professional qualifications 
of members of the Board 
of Directors.

2.  In the reporting period, 

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

the Board of Directors (or 
its Nomination Committee) 
evaluated the candidates 
to the Board of Directors 
in terms of whether they have 
the necessary experience, 
knowledge and business 
reputation, lack of conflict 
of interest, etc.

In all cases in the reporting 
period when the agenda 
of a General Meeting of 
Shareholders included 
an item on election of 
the Board of Directors, 
the Company presented to 
shareholders the curricula 
vitae of all the candidates 
to the Board of Directors, 
the results of evaluation of 
the candidates performed 
by the Board of Directors 
(or its Nomination Committee), 
as well as information on 
the candidates’ compliance 
with the independence 
criteria, in accordance 
with recommendations 
No. 102 to 107 of the Code, 
and the written consent of 
the candidates for election to 
the Board of Directors.

2.3.3.

The composition of 
the Board of Directors 
is balanced, including 
the qualifications of 
its members, their 
experience, knowledge, 
and business qualities, 
and enjoys the trust of 
shareholders.

1.  As part of the procedures 
for the Board of Directors 
evaluation held during 
the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors 
reviewed its own needs  
in the field of professional 
qualification, experience,  
and business skills.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

254

255

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  As part of the Board 

of Directors evaluation 
procedure carried out 
in the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors 
considered the issue of 
compliance of the quantitative 
Board composition with 
the Company’s needs and 
the interests of shareholders.

The quantitative 
composition of 
the Board of Directors 
makes it possible to 
arrange the activities 
of the Board of 
Directors in the most 
efficient manner, 
including the formation 
of the Board’s 
committees; it also 
provides significant 
minority shareholders 
an opportunity to elect 
a candidate for whom 
they vote.

2.3.4.

2.4.

2.4.1.

The Board of Directors has a sufficient number of independent directors.

1.  During the reporting period,  

all independent Board 
members met all 
the independence criteria 
set out in recommendations 
102–107 of the Code or were 
recognized as independent 
by the decision of the Board 
of Directors.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

An independent director 
is a person who has 
sufficient competence, 
experience, and 
independence to form 
their own opinion, and 
is able to make objective 
and fair judgments 
that are independent 
of the influence 
of the Company’s 
executive bodies, certain 
groups of shareholders, 
or other interested 
parties. It should be 
borne in mind, however, 
that in ordinary 
circumstances 
a candidate (elected 
member of the Board 
of Directors) who 
is associated with 
the Company, 
its significant 
shareholder, significant 
counterparty, 
or a competitor, 
or is associated with 
the state, cannot 
be regarded as 
an independent 
candidate.

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.4.2.

The candidates to 
the Board of Directors 
are evaluated for 
compliance with 
the independence 
criteria; independent 
directors are also 
regularly evaluated 
for compliance with 
the independence 
criteria. During this 
evaluation, the content 
should prevail over 
the form.

2.4.3.

2.4.4.

At least one third of 
the elected members 
of the Board are 
independent directors.

Independent directors 
play a key role in 
preventing internal 
Company conflicts 
and in the Company’s 
execution of material 
corporate actions.

1. 

In the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors 
(or the Board’s Nomination 
Committee) formed 
an opinion of each candidate’s 
independence and submitted 
a conclusion on the matter 
to shareholders.

2.  During the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors (or 
the Board’s Nomination 
Committee) evaluated 
the independence of 
the current Board members 
indicated in the Annual Report 
as independent directors  
at least once.

3.  The Company has procedures 

in place which define 
the necessary actions 
for a Board member to take 
in case they cease to be 
independent, including 
the obligation to inform 
the Board of this fact  
in due time.

1.  At least one third of 

the members of the Board  
are independent directors.

1. 

Independent directors  
(with no conflict of interest) 
give a preliminary evaluation 
of material corporate actions 
related to a possible conflict 
of interest; this evaluation 
is submitted to the Board 
of Directors.

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

256

257

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.5.

2.5.1.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors promotes the most efficient implementation of the functions assigned  
to the Board of Directors.

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

An independent director 
is elected Chairman of 
the Board of Directors, 
or a Senior Independent 
Director is chosen from 
among the elected 
Independent Directors, 
who coordinates 
the activities of 
independent directors 
and carries out 
interaction with 
the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors.

1.  The Chairman of the Board  

of Directors is an independent 
director or a Senior 
Independent Director chosen 
from among independent 
directors.

2.  The role, rights, and duties 
of the Board Chairman 
(and Senior Independent 
Director, if any) are duly 
defined in internal corporate 
documents.

1.  Non-compliance
The Chairman of the Board 
of Directors is not 
an independent director; 
a Senior Independent Director 
has not been chosen from 
among independent directors. 
The Chairman of the Board 
of Directors is a member who 
made a significant contribution 
to the development of 
the Company and has the most 
experience, professional 
competence, and authority 
among shareholders, 
members of management 
bodies, and employees of 
the Company.
Independent Directors, who 
make up the majority of 
members of the Company’s 
Board, have full opportunity 
to have face-to-face 
communication with 
the Chairman of the Board of 
Directors. 
The Company has opted 
for a model whereby having 
a majority of independent 
directors ensures their key 
role in resolving all matters 
and eliminates the need for 
a Senior Independent Director.
The Company believes that 
its Chairman of the Board 
of Directors not being 
an independent director 
and there being no Senior 
Independent Director does 
not entail additional risks for 
the Company.
The Company does not believe 
that the mandatory election 
of an independent Chairman 
of the Board of Directors is 
practical when the majority 
of directors are independent. 
In case independent directors 
are no longer in the majority 
on the Board of Directors, 
the Company will include in its 
agenda the matter of electing 
a Chairman of the Board 
of Directors from among 
independent members or 
electing a senior independent 
director.

The Company recognizes 
the expediency of introducing 
the position of Senior 
Independent Director in case 
the number of independent 
directors becomes less than 
50% of the Board of Directors. 
2.  Compliance ensured

The Chairman of 
the Board creates 
a constructive 
atmosphere at 
meetings, ensures 
open discussions 
on the agenda 
items, and monitors 
the implementation of 
resolutions passed by 
the Board of Directors.

The Chairman of 
the Board takes 
reasonable measures to 
ensure timely submittal 
of information required 
by the Board members 
for taking decisions on 
the agenda items.

1.  The efficiency of Chairman 
of the Board’s performance 
was evaluated during 
the evaluation of the Board’s 
performance in the reporting 
period.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The obligation of 

the Chairman of the Board 
to take measures to ensure 
timely submittal of materials 
required for taking decisions 
on the agenda items to 
the Board members is set 
out in the Company’s internal 
documents.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Members of the Board act reasonably and in good faith in the interests of the Company and its shareholders,  
based on sufficient information, with due diligence and care.

2.5.2.

2.5.3.

2.6.

2.6.1.

Members of the Board 
make decisions taking 
into account all available 
information, with no 
conflict of interest, 
on the condition 
of equal treatment 
of the Company’s 
shareholders, within 
the normal business 
risk.

2.6.2.

The rights and 
obligations of the Board 
members are clearly 
worded and stated in 
the Company’s internal 
documents.

1.  The Company’s internal 

documents state that a Board 
member must duly notify 
the Board of Directors if 
a conflict of interest arises 
pertaining to any agenda item 
of a Board meeting or a Board 
committee meeting before 
the start of discussions on 
the respective agenda item.

2.  The Company’s internal 

documents state that a Board 
member must refrain from 
voting on any item where they 
have a conflict of interest.

3.  There is a procedure in 

place in the Company which 
entitles the Board of Directors 
to receive professional 
consultations on items within 
their area of expertise at 
the Company’s expense.

1.  There is a published document 
in effect in the Company which 
clearly defines the Board 
members’ rights and 
obligations.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

258

259

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.7.3.

2.7.4.

The format of the Board 
meetings is determined 
by the degree of 
importance of 
the agenda items. 
The most important 
issues are resolved 
at meetings held in 
praesentia.

Resolutions on the most 
important issues 
of the Company’s 
business are passed at 
the Board meetings by 
qualified majority or 
by a majority of votes 
of all the elected Board 
members.

1.  The Charter or an internal 
document of the Company 
requires that the most 
significant issues (according 
to the list specified in 
recommendation 168 
of the Code) should be 
considered at Board meetings 
held in praesentia.

1.  The Company’s Charter 

stipulates that resolutions on 
the most important issues 
listed in recommendation 170 
of the Code are to be passed 
at the Board meetings by 
qualified majority, at least 
75% of votes, or by a simple 
majority of votes of all 
the elected Board members.

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.6.3.

Board members have 
enough time to perform 
their duties.

1. 

Individual presence at 
the meetings of the Board 
and committee meetings, as 
well as the time dedicated 
to the preparation for 
such meetings, were taken 
into consideration during 
the Board evaluation in 
the reporting period.

2.  According to the Company's 

1. 

internal documents, members 
of the Board must notify 
the Board of Directors of 
their intention to enter 
the management bodies of 
other organizations (except 
the controlled and affiliated 
companies) and of the fact of 
such an appointment.

In accordance with 
the Company's internal 
documents, members of 
the Board of Directors 
have the right to access 
documents and make inquiries 
regarding the Company and 
the companies it controls, 
while the Company's executive 
bodies are obliged to provide 
the relevant information and 
documents.

2.  The Company has a formal 
induction procedure for 
newly elected members of 
the Board.

All members of 
the Board have 
equal access to 
the documents 
and information of 
the Company. Newly 
elected members of 
the Board receive 
sufficient information 
on the Company and 
the Board of Directors’ 
activities as promptly as 
possible.

2.6.4.

2.7.

2.7.1.

2.7.2.

Meetings of the Board of Directors, preparation for them, and attendance by the Board members ensure  
the efficient performance of the Board of Directors.

Meetings of the Board 
of Directors are 
conducted on an ad 
hoc basis, taking into 
account the scope of 
activities and tasks that 
the Company is facing at 
a given time.

The Company’s 
internal documents 
set the procedure for 
preparing and holding 
Board meetings, 
enabling Board 
members to be properly 
prepared.

1.  The Board of Directors had 
at least six meetings during 
the reporting year.

1.  The Company has 

an approved internal 
document in place which sets 
the procedure for preparing 
and holding Board meetings, 
stating, inter alia, that 
the notice of the meeting 
should be made, as a rule, at 
least 5 days in advance.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

In accordance with 
the Charter, resolutions on 
most of the issues that are in 
the competence of the Board 
of Directors are made by 
open voting of the members 
of the Board of Directors 
participating in the meeting 
with a simple majority, except 
in cases stipulated by law. 
This way, full compliance with 
legislative requirements is 
achieved. 
The Company believes 
that the risks related to 
partial compliance with 
the requirements of the Code 
are offset by the high 
attendance of meetings by 
members of the Company’s 
Board of Directors and 
preliminary study of 
the most important issues 
by independent directors 
as part of the activities 
of the Board Committees, 
as well as the maximum 
consideration of the opinions 
of all Board members when 
taking decisions on the most 
important issues concerning 
the Company’s activities. Thus, 
in practice, compliance with 
this Code recommendation is 
ensured.
In view of the above, 
the Company eliminates 
the possibility of any risks 
and is not planning to alter 
its practices related to this 
recommendation. 
 At the same time, in case 
of risk factors, it will take 
measures to adjust this 
system by amending internal 
corporate documents.

260

261

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.8.

2.8.1.

The Board of Directors sets up committees for preliminary consideration of the most important issues  
of the Company’s activity.

An Audit Committee 
consisting of 
independent 
directors is set up 
for the preliminary 
consideration of issues 
related to the control 
over the company’s 
financial and economic 
activities.

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Board of Directors has 
set up an Audit Committee, 
which consists entirely of 
independent directors.
2.  The Company’s internal 

documents define the tasks 
for the Audit Committee, 
including, among others, 
the tasks listed in 
recommendation 172 of 
the Code.

3.  At least one member of 

the Audit Committee who is 
an independent director has 
experience in and knowledge 
about the compilation, 
analysis, evaluation, and 
audit of accounting (financial) 
statements.

4.  Meetings of the Audit 

Committee were held at least 
once per quarter during 
the reporting period.

1.  Partial compliance
The Board of Directors has set 
up an Audit Committee chaired 
by an independent director; 
the majority of Committee 
members are independent 
directors.
The Audit Committee 
was formed based on 
the requirements of maximum 
effectiveness, taking into 
consideration members’ 
qualifications in order to 
attain the optimal balance of 
relevant expert competencies 
and professional experience. 
The Board of Directors does 
not limit itself to a formal 
Committee formation 
approach, considering not 
only the independence of 
its members, but also their 
professional knowledge and 
skills necessary to ensure 
the Committee’s effective 
operation. The Board takes 
into account the entirety 
of factors related to 
the Committee members’ 
specialized competencies, 
including the relevant 
professional expertise 
and education, and other 
important aspects concerning 
the ability to form objective, 
independent opinions and 
judgements and to take 
decisions based on the long-
term interests of the Company 
and all its shareholders. 
Additionally, the Board 
considers the effectiveness of 
the members’ previous work 
on the Committee and their 
engagement in its activities.
The Committee member acting 
as a non-executive director 
has extensive experience, 
a deep understanding of 
business, and comprehensive 
knowledge in areas related to 
the Committee’s remit, making 
a substantial contribution, 
which is required for 
the Committee’s functioning.

 In order to ensure thorough 
consideration of matters 
included in the Committee 
meeting agenda, the Company 
takes into account 
the maximum number of 
committees that every Board 
member can participate 
in (stipulated in NLMK’s 
Regulations on the Board of 
Directors in accordance with 
the Corporate Governance 
Code recommended by 
the Bank of Russia). 
Thus, the Company takes 
into account the expediency 
of attaining maximum 
engagement of independent 
directors and their required 
prevalence in the above 
Committees.
In view of the above, 
the Company believes that 
the optimal Committee 
composition has been formed, 
with the vast majority of 
members (four out of five), 
as well as the Chairman, 
being independent directors. 
The Company holds that 
non-compliance with this 
recommendation does not 
entail additional risks and has 
no plans to ensure compliance 
with this recommendation in 
the near future. 
2.  Compliance ensured
3.  Compliance ensured
4.  Compliance ensured

262

263

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.8.2.

For the preliminary 
consideration of 
issues related to 
the development 
of an efficient 
and transparent 
remuneration practice, 
a Remuneration 
Committee has been  
set up, which consists  
of independent 
directors and is chaired 
by an independent 
director who is not 
the Board Chairman.

1.  The Board of Directors 

has set up a Remuneration 
Committee, which consists 
entirely of independent 
directors.

2.  The Chairman of 

the Remuneration Committee  
is an independent director  
who is not the Chairman  
of the Board.

3.  The Company’s internal 

documents define the tasks 
of the Remuneration 
Committee, including, among 
others, the tasks listed in 
Recommendation 180 of 
the Code.

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  Partial compliance
The Board of Directors has 
set up the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee chaired 
by an independent director; 
the majority of Committee 
members are independent 
directors.
The Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee was formed 
based on the requirements of 
maximum effectiveness, taking 
into consideration members’ 
qualifications in order to 
attain the optimal balance of 
relevant expert competencies 
and professional experience. 
The Board of Directors does 
not limit itself to a formal 
Committee formation 
approach, considering not 
only the independence of 
its members, but also their 
professional knowledge and 
skills necessary to ensure 
the Committee’s effective 
operation. The Board takes 
into account the entirety 
of factors related to 
the Committee members’ 
specialized competencies, 
including the relevant 
professional expertise 
and education, and other 
important aspects concerning 
the ability to form objective, 
independent opinions and 
judgements and to take 
decisions based on the long-
term interests of the Company 
and all its shareholders. 
Additionally, the Board 
considers the effectiveness of 
the members’ previous work 
on the Committee and their 
engagement in its activities.

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Committee members acting 
as non-executive directors, 
including the Chairman 
of the Human Resources, 
Remuneration, and Social Policy 
Committee, have extensive 
experience, authority among 
shareholders, members of 
management bodies and 
employees of the Company, 
a deep understanding of 
business, and comprehensive 
knowledge in areas related to 
the Committee’s remit, making 
a substantial contribution, 
which is required for 
the Committee’s functioning.
 In order to ensure thorough 
consideration of issues 
included in the Committee 
meeting agenda, the Company 
takes into account 
the maximum number of 
committees that every Board 
member may participate 
in (stipulated in NLMK’s 
Regulations on the Board of 
Directors in accordance with 
the Corporate Governance 
Code recommended by 
the Bank of Russia). 
Thus, the Company takes 
into account the expediency 
of attaining maximum 
engagement of independent 
directors and their required 
prevalence in the Committee.
In view of the above, 
the Company believes that 
the optimal Committee 
composition has been formed, 
with the majority of members, 
as well as the Chairman, 
being independent directors, 
and other members being 
non-executive.
The Company holds that 
non-compliance with this 
recommendation does not 
entail additional risks and has 
no plans to ensure compliance 
with this recommendation in 
the near future. 
2.  Compliance ensured
3.  Compliance ensured

264

265

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.8.5.

The committees are 
composed in such 
a way as to enable 
comprehensive 
examination of issues 
under consideration 
based on various 
opinions.

1.  Committees of the Board 

are chaired by independent 
directors.

2.  The company’s internal 

documents (polices) contain 
provisions stating that 
non-members of the Audit 
Committee, Nomination 
Committee, and Remuneration 
Committee may only attend 
their meetings when invited 
by the respective committee’s 
chair.

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  The Board of Directors 
has set up a Nomination 
Committee (alternatively, 
another committee 
performs its tasks, listed 
in recommendation 186 of 
the Code), which mostly 
consists of independent 
directors.

2.  The Company’s internal 

documents define the tasks  
of the Nomination Committee 
(or another committee 
performing related 
tasks), including, among 
others, the tasks listed 
in recommendation 186 of 
the Code.

1.  During the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors has 
considered the compliance 
of its committees’ 
composition with the goals 
of the Board and objectives 
of the Company. Additional 
committees have either 
been formed or deemed 
unnecessary.

2.8.3.

2.8.4.

For the preliminary 
consideration of 
issues related to 
human resources 
planning (succession 
planning), occupational 
structure, and 
efficient performance 
of the Board of 
Directors, a Nomination 
(Appointments, Staffing) 
Committee has been 
set up, which mostly 
consists of independent 
directors.

Considering the scope 
of activities and risk 
level, the Board of 
Directors has made sure 
that the composition of 
its committees is fully in 
line with the Company’s 
business objectives. 
Additional committees 
have either been 
formed or deemed 
unnecessary (Strategy 
Committee, Corporate 
Governance Committee, 
Ethics Committee, 
Risk Management 
Committee, Budget 
Committee, Health, 
Safety and Environment 
Committee, and others).

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  Partial compliance
Formed in accordance with 
the Corporate Governance 
Code as a matter of 
priority, the Company’s 
Audit Committee and HR, 
Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee are chaired 
by independent directors. 
Apart from the Audit 
Committee and the HR, 
Remuneration, and Social 
Policy Committee, the Board 
of Directors set up a Strategy 
Committee, which assists 
the Board of Directors in 
matters related to long-term 
efficiency improvements, 
growing the Company’s asset 
base, and increasing its 
profitability and investment 
appeal. The Committee 
is chaired by a member 
of the Board of Directors 
who is not independent. 
The Committee is made up of 
five independent directors, 
other members of the Board 
of Directors, and experts with 
the professional experience 
required to address 
the matters listed above.
The Company believes that 
this Committee structure is 
optimal, implies no additional 
risks for NLMK, and changing 
it is not practical in the near 
future.
Nevertheless, the Company is 
monitoring the situation and 
will take measures to adjust 
the structure if necessary.
2.  Compliance ensured

2.8.6.

Committee chairs 
regularly inform 
the Board of Directors 
and its Chairman 
of their respective 
Committees’ activities.

1.  Within the reporting period 
Committee chairs regularly 
reported on their activities to 
the Board of Directors.

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

266

267

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

2.9.

2.9.1.

2.9.2.

3.1.

3.1.1.

3.1.2.

The Board of Directors ensures that the performance of the Board, its committees and members is evaluated.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  Within the reporting period, 
self-assessment or external 
assessment of the Board’s 
performance was carried 
out, including a performance 
evaluation of the Committee, 
individual members of 
the Board, and the Board of 
Directors as a whole.

2.  The results of self-assessment 

or external assessment 
of the Board of Directors 
made within the reporting 
period have been reviewed 
at the Board of Directors’ 
meeting in praesentia.

1.  An independent performance 
evaluation of the Board of 
Directors was carried out 
by an independent auditor 
(consultant) at least once 
within the last three reporting 
periods.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The evaluation of 
the Board of Directors 
is designed to 
determine the efficiency 
of the Board’s, 
its Committees’, 
and members’ 
performance and 
the correspondence 
of their performance 
to the development 
needs of the Company, 
as well as to step 
up the Board’s 
activities and identify 
the areas for potential 
improvement.

A performance 
assessment of 
the Board of Directors, 
Board committees, 
and Board members is 
made on a regular basis 
at least once a year. 
For an independent 
quality assessment 
of the Board of 
Directors’ performance, 
an external company 
(consultant) is involved 
at least once every 
three years.

The Corporate Secretary of the Company ensures efficient day-to-day interaction with shareholders, coordinates 
the Company’s activities aimed at the protection of shareholders’ rights and interests, and supports the efficient 
operation of the Board of Directors.

The Corporate 
Secretary has sufficient 
knowledge, experience, 
and qualification to 
perform his obligations, 
as well as an impeccable 
reputation and 
credibility with 
shareholders.

The Corporate 
Secretary has sufficient 
independence from 
the Company’s 
executive bodies and 
has the required 
authority and resources 
to execute the tasks 
assigned to him.

1.  The Company has adopted 
and disclosed an internal 
document: Regulations on 
the Corporate Secretary.

2.  The biography of 

the Corporate Secretary 
published on the company's 
website and the Annual 
Report is as detailed as 
the biographies of Board 
members and the company’s 
executive management.

1.  The Board of Directors 

approves the appointment, 
dismissal from office, and 
additional remuneration of 
the Corporate Secretary.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

4.1.

4.1.1.

4.1.2.

4.1.3.

The level of remuneration paid by the Company is sufficient to attract, motivate, and retain persons with 
the required expertise and qualification. Remuneration to the Board members, executive bodies, and other key 
executives of the co mpany is paid according to the remuneration policy adopted in the Company.

The level of 
remuneration paid 
by the Company to 
the Board members, 
executive bodies, and 
other key executives is 
sufficient to motivate 
them to perform 
effectively, enabling 
the Company to 
attract and retain 
competent and 
qualified professionals. 
At the same time 
the company avoids 
having a higher 
than necessary 
remuneration level 
and an unreasonably 
large gap between 
the remuneration of 
the persons mentioned 
above and the company 
employees.

The Company’s 
remuneration policy 
is developed by 
the Remuneration 
Committee and 
approved by the Board 
of Directors. With 
the assistance of 
the Remuneration 
Committee, the Board 
of Directors oversees 
the incorporation and 
implementation of 
the remuneration policy 
in the Company, and, if 
required, revises and 
amends it.

The Company’s 
remuneration policy 
contains transparent 
mechanisms 
for determining 
the remuneration 
level of the Board 
members, members of 
executive bodies, and 
other key executives 
of the Company, and 
regulates all types of 
payments, benefits, and 
privileges granted to 
the these persons.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Company has adopted 
an internal document 
(internal documents): a policy 
(policies) on remuneration 
of the Board members, 
members of executive 
bodies, and other key 
executives, which expressly 
establishes approaches to 
the remuneration paid to 
these persons.

1.  Within the reporting period 

the Remuneration Committee 
reviewed the remuneration 
policy (policies) and practices 
and, if required, gave 
relevant recommendations to 
the Board of Directors.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Company’s remuneration 

policy (policies) contains 
(contain) transparent 
mechanisms for determining 
the remuneration level 
of the Board members, 
members of executive 
bodies, and other key 
executives of the Company, 
and regulates (regulate) all 
types of payments, benefits, 
and privileges granted to 
the these persons.

268

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

4.1.4.

4.2.

4.2.1.

4.2.2.

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Company’s remuneration 

policy (policies) or other 
internal documents establish 
the rules of expense 
reimbursement of the Board 
members, members of 
executive bodies, and 
other key executives of 
the Company.

The Company 
establishes its policy 
of reimbursement 
of expenses 
(compensation) 
specifying the list 
of reimbursable 
expenses and the level 
of service to which 
Board members, 
executive bodies, and 
other key executives 
of the Company 
are entitled. This 
policy can be a part 
of the Company’s 
remuneration policy.

The remuneration system for members of the Board of Directors aligns the financial interests of directors  
with the long-term financial interests of shareholders.

1.  Fixed annual remuneration 

was the sole form of 
monetary remuneration 
to the Board members for 
their work on the Board 
of Directors during 
the reporting period.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1. 

If the Company’s internal 
document (documents) – 
policy (policies) on 
remuneration – provides 
for the ownership of 
the Company’s shares by 
the Board members, clear 
and explicit rules aimed 
at encouraging long-term 
ownership of the Company’s 
shares by the Board members 
should be introduced and 
disclosed.

The Company pays fixed 
annual remuneration 
to the Board members. 
The Company does 
not pay remuneration 
for participation in 
individual meetings of 
the Board of Directors 
or Board Committees.
The Company does 
not use any forms of 
short-term incentives 
and additional material 
incentives for members 
of the Board of 
Directors.

Long-term ownership of 
the Company's shares 
is most conducive to 
aligning the financial 
interests of the Board 
members with the long-
term interests of 
shareholders. At 
the same time, 
the Company does not 
tie the rights to sell 
shares to achieving 
certain performance 
indicators, and 
members of the Board 
of Directors do not 
participate in option 
programmes.

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The Company does 
not provide for 
additional payments 
or compensations 
in the event of early 
termination of 
the Board members’ 
appointment in 
connection with 
the transfer of control 
over the Company or 
other circumstances.

1.  The Company does not 
provide for additional 
payments or compensations 
in the event of early 
termination of the Board 
members’ appointment in 
connection with the transfer 
of control over the Company 
or other circumstances.

4.2.3.

4.3.

4.3.1.

The Company’s remuneration system for members of executive bodies and other key executives provides  
for a correlation between the amount of remuneration and the Company’s performance and personal contribution  
to achieving this performance.

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The remuneration 
of members of 
executive bodies and 
other key executives 
of the Company 
is determined in 
such a way as to 
ensure a reasonable 
and justified 
correspondence 
between the fixed 
part of remuneration 
and the variable part 
of remuneration, 
depending on 
the Company’s 
performance and 
the employee’s personal 
(individual) contribution 
to the final result.

1.  Within the reporting period 

annual performance 
indicators approved by 
the Board of Directors were 
used to determine the amount 
of variable remuneration of 
members of executive bodies 
and other key executives of 
the Company

2.  During the latest evaluation of 
the Company’s remuneration 
system for members of 
executive bodies and other 
key executives, the Board 
of Directors (Remuneration 
Committee) made sure that 
an efficient ratio of the fixed 
part and the variable part 
of remuneration is applied in 
the Company.

3.  The Company provides for 
a procedure which ensures 
that the Company’s bonuses 
illegally received by members 
of executive bodies and 
other key executives of 
the Company are returned  
to the Company.

1.  Compliance ensured
2.  Compliance ensured
3.  Non-compliance
The Company uses a clear 
mechanism for paying  
bonuses to members of 
executive bodies and other 
senior executives:  
1. Determining the quantitative 
indicators that the bonus 
will be paid for; 2. Control 
departments independently 
calculating the planned and 
actual indicators required  
for the bonus payout;  
3. Independent audit of 
the actual attainment 
of the indicators before 
calculating the bonus size; 
4. The HR, Remuneration, 
and Social Policy Committee 
approving the actual 
attainment and the size of 
the payout. 
The Company believes that this 
system eliminates the need 
for an additional bonus return 
procedure. 
Nevertheless, if preconditions 
for returning bonus payments 
emerge, the Company will 
take the necessary measures: 
recalculate the indicators and 
bonus sums with subsequent 
withholding/return according 
to existing Russian Federation 
legislation.

270

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

In conditions when significantly 
changing market prices 
have a determining influence 
on the share price, a long-
term incentive programme 
using the Company's shares 
has been recognized as 
ineffective and is not used in 
the Company. The Company 
has adopted a long-term 
incentive programme for 
members of executive bodies 
and other key executives of 
the Company, which does 
not provide for the use 
of the Company’s shares 
(financial instruments based 
on the Company’s shares). 
The current long-term 
incentive programme is based 
on defining and evaluating 
long-term strategic KPIs. 
The right to receive long-
term remuneration appears 
no earlier than three years 
after the KPIs are set if 
there is confirmation of 
their successful attainment 
expressed in quantitative 
terms. The KPIs for the long-
term programme correlate 
directly with the Company’s 
strategic success. 
In the near future there are 
no plans to implement a long-
term incentive programme 
for members of executive 
bodies and key executives of 
the Company with the use 
of the Company’s shares 
(financial instruments based 
on the Company’s shares).

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

4.3.2.

The Company has 
implemented a long-
term incentive 
programme for 
members of executive 
bodies and other 
key executives of 
the Company using 
the Company’s shares 
(options or other 
derivative financial 
instruments based on 
the Company’s shares).

1.  The Company has 

implemented a long-term 
incentive programme for 
members of executive bodies 
and other key executives 
of the Company using 
the Company’s shares 
(financial instruments based 
on the Company’s shares).
2.  In line with the long-term 
incentive programme, 
members of executive bodies 
and other key executives of 
the Company have the right to 
sell shares and other financial 
instruments not earlier than 
three years from the moment 
of their granting. Additionally, 
the right to sell them depends 
on the Company achieving 
certain performance 
indicators.

4.3.3.

The amount of 
compensation (golden 
parachute) paid by 
the Company to 
members of executive 
bodies or other 
key executives in 
case of their early 
termination initiated by 
the Company and with 
no fraudulent actions 
on their part does not 
exceed the two-fold 
amount of the fixed 
part of their annual 
remuneration.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The amount of compensation 
(golden parachute) paid by 
the Company to members of 
executive bodies or other key 
executives in case of their 
early termination initiated 
by the Company and with no 
fraudulent actions on their 
part did not exceed the two-
fold amount of the fixed part 
of their annual remuneration 
in the reporting period.

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

5.1.

5.1.1.

5.1.2.

5.1.3.

5.1.4.

The Company has an efficiently functioning risk management and internal control system in place,  
aimed at providing reasonable assurance that the Company will achieve its targets.

1.  The Company’s internal 

documents/respective policy 
approved by the Board 
of Directors explicitly 
defines the functions of 
the Company’s various 
management bodies and 
subdivisions in the risk 
management and internal 
control system.

1.  The Company's executive 
bodies ensured that risk 
management and internal 
control functions and 
authority are well distributed 
between the managers 
(heads) of the subdivisions 
reporting to them.

1.  The Company has adopted 
an anti-corruption policy.

2.  There is a procedure in 

place in the Company aimed 
at informing the Board of 
Directors or the Board’s 
Audit Committee about 
any violations of legislation, 
the Company’s internal 
procedures, and ethics code.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  During the reporting period, 
the Board of Directors or 
the Board’s Audit Committee 
evaluated the efficiency 
of the Company’s risk 
management and internal 
control system. The results of 
this evaluation are included in 
the Company’s Annual Report.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The Board of Directors 
defines the principles 
and approaches to 
the Company’s risk 
management and 
internal control system.

The Company's 
executive bodies ensure 
that an efficiently 
functioning risk 
management and 
internal control 
system is established 
and maintained in 
the Company.

The Company's risk 
management and 
internal control 
system ensures 
an objective, fair, and 
clear understanding 
of the Company’s 
current state and 
prospects, the integrity 
and transparency 
of the Company's 
statements, and that 
the risks assumed 
by the Company 
are reasonable and 
acceptable.

The Company’s 
Board of Directors 
takes the necessary 
measures to ensure 
that the Company's 
risk management and 
internal control system 
functions efficiently 
and complies with 
the principles and 
approaches determined 
by the Board of 
Directors.

272

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ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

The Company arranges internal audits for a systematic independent evaluation of the reliability and efficiency  
of the risk management and internal control system and corporate governance practice.

6.1.2.

5.2.

5.2.1.

5.2.2.

6.1.

6.1.1.

A separate structural 
subdivision has been 
set up in the Company 
for internal audit 
or an independent 
external auditor 
has been engaged. 
There is a division 
between the functional 
and administrative 
jurisdictions of 
the Internal Audit 
Department. 
The Internal Audit 
Department functionally 
reports to the Board of 
Directors.

The Internal Audit 
Department evaluates 
the efficiency of 
the internal control, 
risk management, and 
corporate governance 
systems. The Company 
is guided by generally 
accepted internal audit 
standards.

1.  The Company has set up 
a separate structural 
subdivision for internal audit, 
which functionally reports 
to the Audit Committee 
and the Company’s Board 
of Directors, or engaged 
an independent auditor under 
the same accountability 
principle.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  During the reporting period, 
the internal audit evaluated 
the efficiency of the internal 
control and risk management 
system.

2.  The Company is guided 
by generally accepted 
approaches to internal 
control and risk management.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The Company and its activity are transparent for its shareholders, investors, and other stakeholders.

The Company 
has developed 
and implemented 
an information policy, 
which ensures efficient 
interaction between 
the Company, its 
shareholders, investors, 
and other stakeholders 
information-wise.

1.  The Company’s Board of 
Directors has approved 
the Company’s Information 
Policy developed with regard 
to recommendations of 
the Code.

2.  The Board of Directors (or 
one of its Committees) has 
reviewed the issues related to 
information policy observance 
at least one time within 
the reporting period.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  Compliance ensured
2.  Compliance ensured
3.  Compliance ensured
The Board of Directors 
is chaired by a person 
controlling the Company, 
whose plans with regard to 
the Company’s corporate 
governance are reflected 
in the documents approved 
by the Company’s General 
Meeting of Shareholders and 
Board of Directors, available 
to an unlimited number of 
interested parties.

The Company 
discloses information 
on its corporate 
governance system 
and practices, including 
detailed information 
on observance of 
the principles and 
recommendations of 
the Code.

1.  The Company discloses 

information on its corporate 
governance system and on 
the general principles of 
corporate governance used 
in the Company, including on 
the Company’s website.
2.  The Company discloses 

information on 
the composition of its 
executive bodies and 
the Board of Directors, 
the independence of 
the Board members and their 
membership in the Board 
Committees (in accordance 
with the definition set out in 
the Code).

3.  If there is a person 

controlling the Company, 
the Company publishes 
a memorandum of 
the controlling person 
regarding their plans with 
regard to the Company's 
corporate governance.

6.2.

6.2.1.

The Company discloses complete, valid, and reliable information on the Company in due time to enable the Company’s 
shareholders and investors to make informed decisions.

The Company discloses 
information guided 
by the principles of 
regularity, consistency, 
efficiency, availability, 
reliability, completeness, 
and comparability 
of the information 
disclosed.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  The Information Policy 

of the Company defines 
approaches and criteria of 
determining information 
that can significantly affect 
the Company's valuation and 
the value of its securities; 
it also defines procedures 
ensuring timely disclosure of 
such information.

2.  If the Company's securities 

circulate on foreign regulated 
markets the disclosure 
of material information in 
the Russian Federation and 
in these markets is done 
simultaneously and similarly 
during the reporting year.

3.  If foreign shareholders 

own a significant quantity 
of the Company’s shares, 
the information was disclosed 
not only in Russian but also 
in one of the most common 
foreign languages during 
the reporting year.

274

275

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  During the reporting year, 
the Company disclosed 
its annual and semi-
annual IFRS financial 
statements. The Annual 
Report of the Company 
for the reporting year 
includes annual IFRS financial 
statements and an auditor's 
opinion.

2.  The Company discloses 
information on the its 
equity structure in full in 
its Annual Report and on 
the Company’s website in line 
with Recommendation 290 of 
the Code.

1.  The Company’s Annual 

Report contains information 
on the key aspects of 
the Company’s operations 
and its financial performance.

2.  The Company’s Annual 

Report contains information 
on environmental and social 
aspects of the Company’s 
activities.

6.2.2.

The Company avoids 
a box-ticking approach 
while disclosing 
information; it discloses 
material information on 
its activities even if law 
does not require such 
disclosure.

The Annual Report 
as one of the most 
important tools of 
interaction with 
shareholders and other 
stakeholders contains 
information, which 
enables the evaluation 
of the Company’s 
performance over 
a  year.

6.2.3.

6.3

6.3.1

6.3.2

The Company provides information and documents requested by shareholders in line with the principle  
of equal and easy access.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Information and 
documents requested 
by shareholders are 
disclosed in line with 
the principle of equal 
and easy access.

When providing 
information to 
shareholders 
the Company ensures 
a reasonable balance 
between the interests 
of certain shareholders 
and the interests of 
the Company itself, 
which seeks to keep 
important commercial 
information, which may 
significantly affect 
its competitiveness, 
confidential. 

1.  The Company’s Information 
Policy determines an easy 
procedure of giving access to 
information for shareholders 
including the information 
on legal entities controlled 
by the Company on 
shareholder’s request.

1. 

In the reporting year, 
the Company did not refuse 
to satisfy the shareholders’ 
requests to provide 
information or justified such 
refusals.

2.  In cases defined by 

the Information Policy of 
the Company, shareholders 
are warned about 
the confidential nature 
of the information and 
undertake to keep it 
confidential.

7.1

7.1.1

Actions that significantly affect or can significantly affect the structure of the share capital and the financial status 
of the Company and, accordingly, the shareholders' standing (i.e. material corporate events) are carried out on fair 
terms ensuring observance of the rights and interests of shareholders and other interested parties.

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

The material 
corporate events 
include restructuring 
of the Company; 
acquisition of 30 
and over percent 
of the Company‘s 
voting shares 
(takeover); material 
transactions effected 
by the Company; 
increase or reduction 
of the Company’s 
authorized capital; 
listing and delisting of 
the Company’s shares; 
other actions which 
may cause a significant 
change of shareholders’ 
rights or violation 
of their interests. 
The Company’s 
Charter lists (specifies 
the criteria of) 
transactions and 
other actions that are 
recognized as material 
corporate events and 
fall in the remit of 
the Company’s Board of 
Directors.

1.  The Company’s Charter 

lists transactions and other 
actions that are recognized 
as material corporate events 
and the criteria to determine 
them. Decision-making 
regarding material corporate 
events falls in the remit of 
the Company’s Board of 
Directors. In cases when 
the decision on performing 
such corporate actions 
statutorily falls in the remit 
of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders, the Board of 
Directors provides respective 
recommendations to 
shareholders.

2.  The Company’s Charter lists 
the following actions, among 
others, as material corporate 
events: restructuring of 
the Company; acquisition 
of 30 and over percent of 
the Company’s voting shares 
(takeover); increase or 
reduction of the Company’s 
authorized capital; listing and 
delisting of the Company’s 
shares.

The Company’s Charter does 
not list transactions and other 
actions that are recognized 
as material corporate events 
and the criteria to determine 
them. Decision-making in 
relation to actions, recognized 
by the Corporate Governance 
Code as material corporate 
events, fall in the remit of 
the Company’s Board of 
Directors or the General 
Meeting of Shareholders in 
line with the legislation and 
the Company’s Charter.
In cases when such corporate 
events are statutorily 
assigned to the competence 
of the General Meeting of 
Shareholders, the Board of 
Directors provides respective 
recommendations to 
shareholders.
In cases when such corporate 
events are statutorily 
assigned to the competence 
of the Board of Directors, 
they are first reviewed 
by the relevant Board 
Committees that provide 
respective recommendations 
to the Board of Directors.
In view of the above, 
the Company excludes 
the possibility of any risks. 
The Company does not plan to 
review and approve the list of 
material corporate events in 
the near future, but intends 
to continue to act within 
the framework of current 
legislation.

276

277

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  The Company has a procedure 

in place ensuring that 
the independent directors 
declare their opinion on 
material corporate events 
before they are approved.

1.  The Company’s Charter, 
taking into account 
the specifics of the Company’s 
activities, establishes 
the minimal criteria 
for the attribution of 
the Company’s transactions 
to material corporate events, 
which are lower than those 
statutorily required.

2.  During the reporting period 
all material corporate events 
underwent an approval 
procedure prior to their 
implementation.

7.1.2

7.1.3

The Board of Directors 
plays a key role in 
decision-making 
or in preparing 
recommendations 
regarding material 
corporate events; 
the Board of Directors 
relies on the opinion 
of the Company’s 
independent directors.

In case of material 
corporate events that 
affect the rights and 
legitimate interests of 
shareholders, equal 
conditions are provided 
to all the Company’s 
shareholders;  
if the procedures set 
out in the legislation 
and designed to protect 
the shareholders’  
rights are not sufficient, 
additional measures  
are taken to protect 
the rights and 
legitimate interests 
of the Company’s 
shareholders. In this 
case, the Company 
is guided not only 
by compliance with 
formal statutory 
requirements but 
also by the corporate 
governance principles 
outlined in the Code.

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

In cases when such corporate 
events are statutorily 
assigned to the competence 
of the Board of Directors, 
these matters are first 
reviewed by the relevant Board 
Committees that provide 
respective recommendations 
to the Board of Directors. 
The current system meets 
the needs of the Company, 
and its change in the next few 
years does not seem practical. 
The Company believes 
that additional risks for 
the Company are excluded.
At the same time, the Company 
is monitoring the system 
for protecting the rights 
and legitimate interests of 
shareholders and in case  
of any risk factors emerging,  
it will take required measures 
to adjust the system.
2.  Compliance ensured

7.2

7.2.1

The Company ensures such a procedure for material corporate events that enables shareholders to receive 
full information thereof in due time and to influence such events; it guarantees observance and proper level of 
protection of their rights when such events take place.

Information on 
material corporate 
events is disclosed 
with an explanation of 
the grounds, conditions, 
and consequences of 
such events.

1.  During the reporting period, 

the Company disclosed 
information on its material 
corporate events in a timely 
and detailed manner including 
the grounds and timing of 
such events.

◼  Compliance 
ensured
◻  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

1.  Partial compliance
The Company’s Charter 
does not establish minimal 
criteria for the attribution of 
the Company’s transactions 
to material corporate events 
that are lower than those 
statutorily required.
The Company is guided 
by statutory criteria 
for the attribution of 
the Company’s transactions  
to material corporate events.
The majority of material 
corporate events recognized 
by the Corporate Governance 
Code fall within the remit 
of the Company’s Board of 
Directors or the General 
Meeting of Shareholders. 
Decision-making with regard 
to transactions, which 
the Corporate Governance 
Code recognizes as material 
corporate events, fall within 
the remit of the Company’s 
Board of Directors. In cases 
when such corporate events 
are statutorily assigned  
to the competence of 
the General Meeting  
of Shareholders, the Board  
of Directors provides 
respective recommendations 
to shareholders. 

278

279

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

7.2.2

The rules and 
procedures related 
to the Company's 
performance of 
material corporate 
events are specified in 
the Company’s internal 
documents.

1.  The Company’s internal 
documents provide for 
a procedure for engaging 
an independent appraiser to 
estimate the value of property 
to be disposed of or acquired 
as a material transaction 
or as an interested party 
transaction.

2.  The Company’s internal 
documents provide for 
a procedure for engaging 
an independent appraiser 
to estimate the value of 
acquisition and buyback of its 
shares.

3.  The Company’s internal 
documents provide for 
an expanded list of grounds 
on which Board members and 
other parties are recognized 
as an interested party in 
the Company’s transactions 
under the Russian legislation.

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

◻  Compliance 
ensured
◼  Partial 

compliance

◻  Non-

compliance

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

1.  Partial compliance 
The Company’s internal 
documents do not provide 
for a procedure for engaging 
an independent appraiser to 
estimate the value of property 
to be disposed of or acquired 
as a material transaction 
or as an interested party 
transaction. The Company 
engages an independent 
appraiser in cases set out in 
the legislation of the Russian 
Federation, and the Company 
believes that this fully 
eliminates any risk.
The Company does not plan 
to review the procedure for 
engaging an independent 
appraiser in the near future 
and intends to continue to 
operate within the framework 
of the current legislation. 
The Company is monitoring 
the system, and in case of any 
risk factors emerging, it will 
take the required measures to 
adjust the system.
2.   Compliance ensured

No.

Principles of corporate 
governance

Criteria of corporate  
governance principles  
observance evaluation

Status 
of compliance 
with corporate 
governance 
principle

Clarification of deviation 
from criteria of corporate 
governance principles  
observance evaluation

3.  Partial compliance
The Company’s internal 
documents do not provide for 
an expanded list of grounds 
on which Board members and 
other parties as required 
by law are recognized as 
an interested party in 
the Company’s transactions.
Before the conclusion of 
any transaction in which 
there can be interest, 
the Company evaluates all 
possible circumstances that 
could lead to the existence of 
such interest, including those 
not provided for by law. This 
approach has proved to be 
effective in practice, risks 
are completely excluded and 
the Company does not deem 
it appropriate to provide 
an expanded list of grounds 
on which Board members 
and other parties are 
recognized as an interested 
party in the Company’s 
internal documents. Thus, 
the Company does not plan 
to make changes to internal 
documents in the near future 
and will continue to adhere to 
the established approach.
The Company is monitoring 
the system, and in case of any 
risk factors emerging,it will 
take the required measures  
to adjust the system.

280

281

ANNUALREPORT   2020Statement by member  
of the Board of Directors

About the Company

Corporate governance

Our team

Environmental protection

Appendix

REPORT ON THE PAYMENT OF DECLARED  
(ACCRUED) DIVIDENDS

Year

Period

Dividend per share, RUB

Declaration date

Amount, RUB

2020

2020

2020

2019 

2019

2019

2019

2018 

2018

2018

2018

2017

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

2016

2015

2015

2015

2015

2014

9M

6M

3M

year

9M

6M

3M

year

9M

6M

3M

year

9M

6M

3M

year

9M

6M

3M

year

9M

6M

3M

year

6.43

4.75

3.21

17.36 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 3.12 per share)

3.22

3.68

7.34

22.81 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 5.80 per share)

6.04

5.24

5.73

14.04 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 3.36 per share)

5.13

3.20

2.35

9.22 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 3.38 per share)

3.63

1.08

1.13

6.95 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 2.43 per share)

1.95

0.93

1.64

2.44 (taking into account paid  
interim dividends, the outstanding 
dividend amount to be paid is  
RUB 1.56 per share)

18.12.2020

25.09.2020

30.06.2020

29.05.2020

20.12.2019

27.09.2019

07.06.2019

19.04.2019

21.12.2018

28.09.2018

08.06.2018

08.06.2018

22.12.2017

29.09.2017

02.06.2017

02.06.2017

23.12.2016

30.09.2016

03.06.2016

03.06.2016

21.12.2015

30.09.2015

05.06.2015

05.06.2015

38,536,451,153.2

28,467,829.390

19,238,259,440.40

104,042,424,886.40 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 18,698,868,988.80)

19,298,191,712.80

22,055,076, 243.20

43,990,287,941.60

136,705,513,344.40 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 34,760,717.992)

36,199,092,529.60

31,404,510,737.60 

34,341,192,085.20 

84,144,910,449.60 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 20,137,243,526.40)

30,745,255,741.20

19,178,327,168

14,084,084,014

55,257,555,152.80 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 20,257,108,071.20)

21,755,414,881.20

6,472,685,419.20

6,772,346,781.20

41,652,929,318 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 14,563,542,193.20)

11,686,793,118

5,573,701,333.20

9,828,892,673.60

14,623,474,465.60 (taking into  
account paid interim dividends,  
the outstanding dividend amount  
to be paid is RUB 9,349,434,494.40)

2014

6M

0.88

30.09.2014

5,274,039,971.20

1  The ratio “Dividends to net profit, %” is calculated as Dividends per share in rubles multiplied by the number of shares (5,993,227,240) divided 
by the dollar rate on the day of the announcement divided by the net profit attributable to NLMK shareholders under IFRS multiplied by 100%.

2  The obligation to pay dividends on shares was fulfilled by PJSC “NLMK” in the terms established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.  

The reason for paying dividends is not in full amount due to incorrect payment details of shareholders.

Dividends/free  
cash flow, %1

Date of payment 

Paid out2 as of 31.12.2020

RUB

% from declared

134

101

83

104

124

133

99

104

84

166

93

113

99

101

120

84

75

65

37

65

44

50

52

26

18

from 30.12.2020 до 10.02.2021 (inclusive)

from 13.10.2020 до 17.11.2020 (inclusive)

 from 14.07.2020 до 17.08.2020 (inclusive)

 from 10.06.2020 до 15.07.2020 (inclusive)

38,526,138,114.73

28,427,060,235.83

19,212,238,851.08

103,925,539,981.95

from 10.01.2020 to 13.02.2020 (inclusive)

from 11.10.2019 to 15.11.2019 (inclusive).

from 20.06.2019 to 24.07.2019 (inclusive)

19,277,572,251.46

22,031,690,658.57

43,941,942,070.47

from 07.05.2019 to 13.06.2019 (inclusive)

136,559,008,896.53

from 10.01.2019 to 13.02.2019 (inclusive)

from 13.10.2018 to 19.11.2018 (inclusive).

from 21.06.2018 to 25.07.2018 (inclusive)

from 21.06.2018 to 25.07.2018 (inclusive)

from 10.01.2018 to 13.02.2018 (inclusive)

from 13.10.2017 to 17.11.2017 (inclusive)

from 15.06.2017 to 19.07.2017 (inclusive)

from 15.06.2017 to 19.07.2017 (inclusive)

from 10.01.2017 to 13.02.2017 (inclusive)

from 13.10.2016 to 17.11.2016 (inclusive)

from 15.06.2016 to 19.07.2016 (inclusive)

36,160,188,287.60 

31,370,838,449.86 

34,304,657,291.50

84,054,201,298.19

30,712,814,779.85

19,157,682,665.66

14,067,867,006.85

55,198,112,496.67

21,731,775,726.20

6,465,547,166.15

6,764,857,327.70

from 15.06.2016 to 19.07.2016 (inclusive)

41,605,954,038.53

from 09.01.2016 to 12.02.2016 (inclusive)

from 13.10.2015 to 17.11.2015 (inclusive)

from 17.06.2015 to 21.07.2015 (inclusive)

from 17.06.2015 to 21.07.2015 (inclusive)

11,673,475,109.09

5,567,460,843.39

9,817,408,088.53

14,606,462,870.22

99.973

99.86

99.86

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.88

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.89

99.88

99.88

from 12.10.2014 to 18.11.2014 (inclusive)

5,267,898,137.36

99.88

3  As at December 31, 2020 dividends payment deadline has not expired. The data is related to the expiry date of the dividend payout period the 9 months 

of 2020 – deadline expiring – February 10, 2021.

282

283

ANNUALREPORT   2020NOVOLIPETSK STEEL 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL 
REPORTING STANDARDS 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
31 DECEMBER 2020 

(WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT THEREON) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2020 

CONTENTS 

Independent auditor’s report 

Consolidated statement of financial position 

Consolidated statement of profit or loss 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 

3 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report  

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Novolipetsk Steel: 

Our opinion  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated 
financial position of Novolipetsk Steel and its subsidiaries (together – the “Group”) as at 31 December 
2020, and  the Group’s consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows for the year then 
ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 

What we have audited 

The Group’s consolidated financial statements comprise: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2020; 

the consolidated statement of profit or loss for the year then ended; 

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended; 

the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended; 

the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include significant accounting policies 
and other explanatory information.  

Basis for opinion  

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities 
for the audit of the consolidated financial statements section of our report.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. 

Independence 

We are independent of the Group in accordance with the International Code of Ethics for Professional 
Accountants (including International Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics 
Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA Code) and the ethical requirements of the Auditor’s 
Professional Ethics Code and Auditor’s Independence Rules that are relevant to our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements in the Russian Federation. We have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code. 

AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit  
White Square Office Center 10 Butyrsky Val Moscow, Russian Federation, 125047 
T: +7 (495) 967-6000, F:+7 (495) 967-6001, www.pwc.ru  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our audit approach 

Overview 

Materiality 

•  Overall Group materiality: 92 million US Dollars (USD), 

which represents 1% of the Group’s consolidated revenue 

Group 
scoping 

•  We conducted audit work at 5 reporting units in four countries 

•  Our audit scope addressed 78% of the Group’s revenues and 74% 

of the Group’s consolidated total assets 

Key audit 
matters 

•  Key Audit Matter – Assessment of the recoverability of the carrying 
value of goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment 
and investment in joint venture NBH. 

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material 
misstatement in the consolidated financial statements. In particular, we considered where 
management made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates 
that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all 
of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including among 
other matters consideration of whether there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud. 

Materiality 

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. An audit is designed to obtain 
reasonable assurance whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material 
misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if, 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions 
of users taken on the basis of the consolidated financial statements. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality, 
including the overall Group materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole as set out 
in the table below. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope 
of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of 
misstatements, if any, both individually and in aggregate on the consolidated financial statements as a 
whole. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overall Group materiality 

USD 92 million (2019: USD 106 million) 

How we determined it 

1% of the Group’s consolidated revenue 

Rationale for the materiality 
benchmark applied 

We chose revenue as the benchmark because, in our view, 
it is the benchmark which objectively best represents the 
performance of the Group over a period of time while 
financial results are volatile. We determined overall 
materiality as 1%, which in our experience is within the 
range of acceptable quantitative materiality thresholds 
applied for public companies in the relevant industry. 

Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in 
our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed 
in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our 
opinion thereon and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

Key audit matter 

  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Assessment of the recoverability of the 
carrying value of goodwill, intangible assets, 
property, plant and equipment, and investment 
in joint venture NBH 
Refer to Notes 8, 9 and 4 to the consolidated 
financial statements 
The Group management performed an analysis of 
existence of indicators of impairment of the 
Group’s property, plant and equipment (PP&E), 
intangible assets, goodwill and carrying value of 
investment in joint venture NBH (a joint venture 
between the Group and Societe Wallonne de 
Gestion et de Participations S. A.(SOGEPA), as 
well as indicators of potential reversal of an 
impairment loss recognised in prior periods. This 
analysis revealed: 

We obtained, understood and evaluated 
management’s impairment models. We involved 
our valuation experts to assist in the evaluation of 
the methodology, mathematical accuracy and 
assumptions used in the models.  
Specific work performed over the impairment test 
included: 

• 

comparing the key assumptions used within 
the impairment models to the historic 
performance of the respective CGUs, 
approved estimates, and other supporting 
calculations; 

• 

sales volumes and prices decline on the market 
of certain finished products and raw materials 
because of the spread of COVID -19; 

• 

•  high volatility on the market of certain finished 

products and raw materials. 

The analysis triggered testing a number of the 
Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) for 
impairment. No indicators that an impairment loss 
recognised in prior periods may no longer exist or 
may have decreased have been identified. 
The recoverable amount of PP&E, intangible 
assets and goodwill for each CGU subject to 
testing as well as recoverable amount of 
investment in NBH were calculated by 
management as at 31 December 2020 or as at  
30 June 2020. 

sample benchmarking the key assumptions 
used within the impairment models, including 
price forecasts for core raw materials and 
finished products, inflation and discount rates, 
against external expert valuations, 
macroeconomic and industry forecasts, which 
corroborated their validity; 

•  performing a sensitivity analysis over the 
key assumptions in order to assess their 
potential impact on impairment results and 
ranges of possible outcomes of the 
recoverable amounts;  

•  assessing compliance with the requirements 
of IFRS of the related disclosures in the 
consolidated financial statements and 
verification of disclosure. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  How our audit addressed the key audit matter 
The scope of the audit procedures for 
verification of impairment models for each 
CGU was based on its significance, safety 
margin, sensitivity to assumptions and on 
individual risks. 

Key audit matter 
Management assessed the recoverable amount 
of CGU PJSC NLMK as fair value less cost to sell 
and as value in use for each other CGU using 
discounted cash flow models.  
As a result of this testing performed, additional 
impairment loss of USD 120 million was 
recognized in respect to investment in NBH. In 
respect to other CGUs management concluded 
that no impairment was required as at 
31 December 2020.  
We focused on this area because of the 
significant judgmental factors involved in the 
calculation of recoverable amount of each CGU, 
and the significant carrying value of the assets in 
scope of the test. 

How we tailored our Group audit scope  

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion 
on the consolidated financial statements as a whole, taking into account structure of the Group, the 
accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Group operates. 

The Group’s major production facilities are located in the Russian Federation, the USA and Western 
Europe and the trading company is based in Switzerland. Based on our continuing assessment, we 
included in our group audit scope the 5 components located in these regions. 

The audits of the components were conducted by PwC network firms in accordance with International 
Standard on Auditing (ISA) 600 “Special considerations – audits of group financial statements 
(including the work of component auditors)”. The Group engagement team’s instructions to component 
auditors included results of our risk assessment, materiality levels and the approach to the audit of 
centralised processes and systems. The Group engagement team is in regular contact with the 
component auditors. Our selection is based on the relative significance of the entities within the Group 
or specific risks identified. 

By performing the procedures above at the components in combination with additional procedures 
performed at the Group level, we have obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence regarding 
the consolidated financial statements as a whole that provides a basis for our opinion. 

Other information  

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Group Annual 
Report for 2020 and the Issuer’s Report for the first quarter of 2021 (but does not include the 
consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon), which are expected to be made 
available to us after the date of this auditor’s report 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we will 
not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 
other information identified above when it becomes available and, in doing so, consider whether the 
other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge 
obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

When we read the Group Annual Report for 2020 and the Issuer’s Report for the first quarter of 2021, 
if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the 
matter to those charged with governance. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the 
consolidated financial statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is 
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to 
liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting 
process. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue 
an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is 
not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.  

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain 
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from 
error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control.  

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.  

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by management.  

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting 

and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events 
or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 
report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to 
cease to continue as a going concern.  

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 

including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the 
underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. 
We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.  

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned 
scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in 
internal control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant 
ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and 
other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, 
actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied. 

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters 
that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current 
period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report 
unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 
circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the 
adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication. 

The certified auditor responsible for the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is 
A. B. Fomin.  

10 February 2021 
Moscow, Russian Federation  

Signed on the original: A. B. Fomin 

A. B. Fomin, certified auditor (licence No. № 01-000059), AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Audited entity: Novolipetsk Steel  

Independent auditor: AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on  
28 January 1993 under State Registration Number 1024800823123 

Registered by the Government Agency Moscow Registration Chamber on 
28 February 1992 under Nо. 008.890 

Taxpayer Identification Number 4823006703 

2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, 398040, Russian Federation 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 
22 August 2002 under State Registration Number 1027700148431 

Taxpayer Identification Number 7705051102 

Member of Self-regulatory organization of auditors Association 
“Sodruzhestvo” 

Principal Registration Number of the Record in the Register of Auditors and 
Audit Organizations –12006020338 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated statement of financial position 
(millions of US dollars) 

Note 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

Assets 

Current assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Short-term financial investments 

Trade and other accounts receivable 

Inventories 

Other current assets 

Non-current assets 

Long-term financial investments 

Investments in joint ventures 

Property, plant and equipment 

Goodwill 

Other intangible assets 

Deferred income tax assets 

Other non-current assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities and equity 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other accounts payable 

Dividends payable 

Short-term borrowings 

Current income tax liability 

Other short-term liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Long-term borrowings 

Deferred income tax liability 

Other long-term liabilities 

Total liabilities 

3 

5 

6 

7 

5 

4 

8 

9 

9 

17 

10 

11 

11 

17 

Equity attributable to Novolipetsk Steel shareholders 

Common stock 

Additional paid-in capital 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

Retained earnings 

12(a) 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

Total liabilities and equity 

842 

191 

1,148 

1,373 

16 

3,570 

7 

131 

5,659 

212 

159 

119 

5 

6,292 

9,862 

1,065 

109 

1,054 

51 

3 

2,282 

2,432 

359 

48 

2,839 

5,121 

221 

8 

(7,140) 

11,641 

4,730 

11 

4,741 

9,862 

713 

287 

1,047 

1,634 

14 

3,695 

5 

223 

6,039 

248 

162 

101 

11 

6,789 

10,484 

1,124 

318 

468 

32 

- 

1,942 

2,188 

405 

2 

2,595 

4,537 

221 

9 

(6,140) 

11,840 

5,930 

17 

5,947 

10,484 

1,179 

19 

1,326 

1,816 

10 

4,350 

85 

159 

4,798 

224 

165 

152 

11 

5,594 

9,944 

1,122 

525 

398 

28 

- 

2,073 

1,677 

346 

14 

2,037 

4,110 

221 

10 

(6,782) 

12,370 

5,819 

15 

5,834 

9,944 

The consolidated financial statements as set out on pages 9 to 66 were approved by the Group’s management and 
authorised for issue on 10 February 2021. 

The accompanying notes constitute an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated statement of profit or loss 
(millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated) 

Revenue 

Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Note 

14 

General and administrative expenses 

Selling expenses 

Net impairment losses on financial assets 

Other operating income/(expenses), net 

Taxes other than income tax 

16 

Operating profit before share of results of joint ventures 
and impairment of investments in joint ventures, 
impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of 
property, plant and equipment 

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment of non-current assets 

Share of results of joint ventures and impairment of 
investments in joint ventures 

Losses on investments, net 

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Foreign currency exchange (loss)/gain, net 

Hedging result 

Expenses on operations with financial instruments 

Other expenses, net 

Profit before income tax 

8, 9 

4 

18 

18 

19, 22 

22 

Income tax expense 

17 

Profit for the year 

Profit is attributable to: 

Novolipetsk Steel shareholders 

Non-controlling interests 

Earnings per share: 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

9,245 

(5,920) 

3,325 

(346) 

(845) 

(8) 

9 

(64) 

10,554 

(7,303) 

3,251 

(352) 

(843) 

(1) 

13 

(66) 

12,046 

(7,680) 

4,366 

(375) 

(886) 

(1) 

(4) 

(88) 

2,071 

2,002 

3,012 

(8) 

(5) 

(236) 

- 

18 

(90) 

(40) 

(24) 

(39) 

(67) 

1,580 

(343) 

1,237 

1,236 

1 

(4) 

(30) 

(88) 

- 

18 

(68) 

(6) 

- 

- 

(30) 

1,794 

(453) 

1,341 

1,339 

2 

(7) 

(4) 

(243) 

(2) 

21 

(70) 

33 

- 

- 

(11) 

2,729 

(486) 

2,243 

2,238 

5 

Earnings per share attributable to  
Novolipetsk Steel shareholders (US dollars) 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: 
basic and diluted (in thousands) 

13 

0.2062 

0.2234 

0.3734 

12(a) 

5,993,227 

5,993,227 

5,993,227 

The accompanying notes constitute an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
(millions of US dollars) 

Profit for the year 

1,237 

1,341 

2,243 

Note 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

Other comprehensive (loss)/income: 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 

Hedge reserve of cash flows 

Income tax related to hedge reserve of cash flows 

Cumulative translation adjustment 

22 

22 

2(b) 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

attributable to: 

Novolipetsk Steel shareholders 

Non-controlling interests 

(205) 

41 

(839) 

234 

236 

(2) 

- 

- 

644 

1,985 

1,981 

4 

- 

- 

(1,154) 

1,089 

1,087 

2 

The accompanying notes constitute an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
(millions of US dollars) 

Attributable to Novolipetsk Steel shareholders 

Note 

Common stock 

Additional 
 paid-in capital 

Accumulated 
other 
comprehensive 
loss 

Retained 
earnings 

Non-controlling 
interest 

Total equity 

Balance at 1 January 2018 

221 

10 

(5,631) 

12,029 

Profit for the year 
Cumulative translation 
adjustment 

2(b) 

Total comprehensive income 

Acquisition of non-controlling 
interest 
Dividends to shareholders 

12(b)   

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

2,238 

(1,151) 

- 

(1,151) 

2,238 

- 
- 

(1) 
(1,896) 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

221 

10 

(6,782) 

12,370 

Profit for the year 
Cumulative translation 
adjustment 

2(b) 

Total comprehensive income 

Disposal of assets to an entity 
under common control 
Acquisition of non-controlling 
interest 
Dividends to shareholders 

12(b)   

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

221 

Profit for the year 
Hedge reserve of cash flows 
net of related income tax 
Cumulative translation 
adjustment 

22 

2(b) 

Total comprehensive income 

Disposal of assets to an entity 
under common control 
Dividends to shareholders 

12(b)   

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

221 

- 

- 

- 

(1) 

- 
- 

9 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1) 
- 

8 

- 

642 

642 

- 

- 
- 

1,339 

- 

1,339 

- 

- 
(1,869) 

(6,140) 

11,840 

- 

1,236 

(164) 

(836) 

- 

- 

(1,000) 

1,236 

- 
- 

- 
(1,435) 

(7,140) 

11,641 

17 

5 

(3) 

2 

(3) 
(1) 

15 

2 

2 

4 

- 

(2) 
- 

17 

1 

- 

(3) 

(2) 

- 
(4) 

11 

6,646 

2,243 

(1,154) 

1,089 

(4) 
(1,897) 

5,834 

1,341 

644 

1,985 

(1) 

(2) 
(1,869) 

5,947 

1,237 

(164) 

(839) 

234 

(1) 
(1,439) 

4,741 

The accompanying notes constitute an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Consolidated statement of cash flows 
(millions of US dollars) 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit for the year 

Note 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

1,237 

1,341 

2,243 

Adjustments to reconcile profit for the year to net cash 
provided by operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortisation 

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment 
Losses on investments 
Finance income 
Finance costs 

Share of results of joint ventures and impairment of 
investments in joint ventures 
Income tax expense 
Impairment of non-current assets 
Foreign currency exchange loss/(gain), net 
Hedging result 
Expenses on operations with financial instruments 
Change in impairment allowance for inventories and 
credit loss allowance of accounts receivable 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other accounts 
receivable 
Decrease/(increase) in inventories 
(Increase)/decrease in other operating assets 
Increase /(decrease) in trade and other accounts payable 

18 
18 

4 
17 
8, 9 
19,22 
22 

Сash provided by operations 

Income tax paid 

Net cash provided by operating activities 
Cash flows from investing activities 

Purchases and construction of property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Purchases of investments and loans given 
Proceeds from repayment of loans given 
Placement of bank deposits 
Withdrawal of bank deposits 
Interest received 
Contribution to share capital of joint venture 
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash and cash 
equivalents acquired 
Acquisition of non-controlling interest 

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from borrowings 
Repayment of borrowings 
Payments on leases 
Interest paid 
Payments from settlement of derivative financial 
instruments 
Dividends paid to Novolipetsk Steel shareholders 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Net cash used in financing activities 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: 

Non-cash investing activities: 
Conversion of debt to equity 

4 

3 
3 

4 

574 

8 
- 
(18) 
90 

236 
343 
5 
40 
24 
39 

4 

(177) 
117 
(2) 
46 
2,566 
(285) 
2,281 

(1,124) 
15 
(51) 
142 
(836) 
847 
10 
(131) 

(4) 
- 
(1,132) 

2,002 
(1,284) 
(20) 
(64) 

(16) 
(1,637) 
(1) 
(1,020) 
129 
- 
713 
842 

562 

4 
- 
(18) 
68 

88 
453 
30 
6 
- 
- 

5 

314 
284 
(1) 
(132) 
3,004 
(381) 
2,623 

(1,080) 
1 
(164) 
115 
(933) 
777 
29 
(155) 

- 
(1) 
(1,411) 

1,015 
(500) 
(14) 
(49) 

- 
(2,120) 
- 
(1,668) 
(456) 
(10) 
1,179 
713 

577 

7 
2 
(21) 
70 

243 
486 
4 
(33) 
- 
- 

1 

(258) 
(187) 
7 
177 
3,318 
(577) 
2,741 

(680) 
3 
(91) 
- 
(305) 
1,349 
22 
- 

(4) 
(4) 
290 

470 
(643) 
- 
(56) 

- 
(1,888) 
(2) 
(2,119) 
912 
(34) 
301 
1,179 

- 

- 

210 

The accompanying notes constitute an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

1 

Background 

Novolipetsk Steel (the “Parent Company” or “NLMK”) and its subsidiaries (together – the “Group”) is one of the 
world’s leading steelmakers with facilities that allow it to operate an integrated steel production cycle. The Parent 
Company is a public joint stock company in accordance with the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. The Parent 
Company was originally established as a State owned enterprise in 1934 and was privatised in the form of an open 
joint stock company on 28 January 1993. On 29 December 2015, the legal form of the Parent Company was changed 
to public joint stock company due to changes in legislation of the Russian Federation. 

The Group is a vertically integrated steel company and the largest steel producer in Russia. The Group also operates 
in the mining segment (Note 21). 

The Group’s main operations are in the Russian Federation, the European Union and the USA and are subject to 
the legislative requirements of the respective state and regional authorities. The Parent Company’s registered 
office is located at 2, Metallurgov sq., 398040, Lipetsk, Russian Federation. 

As at 31 December 2020, the Parent Company’s major shareholder with 79.25% (81.40% as at 31 December 2019 
and 84.03% as at 31 December 2018) ownership interest is Fletcher Group Holdings Limited, which is beneficially 
owned by Mr. Vladimir Lisin. 

The major companies of the Group by reportable segment (see Note 21) are: 

Russian flat products 
LLC VIZ-Steel 
JSC Altai-Koks 

NLMK Trading S.A.  
(formerly – Novex Trading (Swiss) S.A.) 

NLMK DanSteel and Plates 
Distribution Network 
NLMK DanSteel A/S 

NLMK USA 
NLMK Indiana LLC 
NLMK Pennsylvania LLC 

Russian long products 
JSC NLMK-Ural 

LLC NLMK-Metalware 

LLC NLMK-Kaluga 

LLC Vtorchermet NLMK 

Mining 
JSC Stoilensky GOK 

Activity 

Country of 
incorporation 

Share at 
31 December 
2020  

Share at 
31 December 
2019  

Share at 
31 December 
2018 

Production of steel 
Production of blast 
furnace coke 
Trading 

Russia 
Russia 

100.00% 
100.00% 

100.00% 
100.00% 

100.00% 
100.00% 

Switzerland 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

Production of steel 

Denmark 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

Production of steel 
Production of steel 

USA 
USA 

100.00% 
100.00% 

100.00% 
100.00% 

100.00% 
100.00% 

Production of steel 
and long products 
Production of 
metalware 
Production of long 
products 
Processing of metal 
scrap 

Mining, processing and 
pelletising of iron-ore 

Russia 

Russia 

Russia 

92.59% 

92.59% 

92.59% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

Russia 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

Russia 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

1 

Background (continued) 

Among joint ventures the major is: 

Activity 

Country of 
incorporation 

Share at 
31 December 
2020   

Share at 
31 December 
2019   

Share at 
31 December 
2018 

NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A.  Holding company* 

Belgium 

49.00% 

49.00% 

49.00% 

*NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. is owned jointly by the Group and Societe Wallonne de Gestion et de Participations S. A. (SOGEPA), 
a Belgian state company (Note 4). It comprises strip and plate manufacturers located in Belgium, France and Italy. 

2 

Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements  

(a) 

Basis of preparation 

These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards  (“IFRS”)  under  the  historical  cost  convention  except  as  described  in  the  principal  accounting  policies 
applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, as set out in Note 25. These policies have 
been consistently applied to all the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements except for new 
standards adopted as set out in Note 27. Figures for three reporting periods are presented for users’ convenience. 

(b) 

Functional and reporting currency 

The functional currency of all of the Group’s Russian entities is considered to be the Russian ruble. The functional 
currency  of  the  majority  of  the  foreign  subsidiaries  is  their  local  currency.  The  Group  uses  US  dollars  as  the 
presentation  currency  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements.  All  amounts  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements are rounded to the nearest million unless otherwise stated. 

The results of operations and financial position of each Group entity are translated into the presentation currency 
as follows: 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position are translated at the closing rate at the end of 
the respective reporting period; 

income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for each month (unless this average rate is 
not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, 
in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); 

components of equity are translated at the historical rate; 

all resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income. 

Items of consolidated statement of cash flows are translated at average exchange rates for each month (unless this 
average rate is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction 
dates, in which case proceeds and disposals are translated at the dates of the transactions). 

When control over a foreign operation is lost, the previously recognised exchange differences on translation to a 
different presentation currency are reclassified from  accumulated other comprehensive income/loss to profit or 
loss for the year as part of the gain or loss on disposal. On partial disposal of a subsidiary without loss of control, 
the related portion of accumulated currency translation differences is reclassified to non-controlling interest within 
equity. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

2 

Basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements (continued) 

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation’s Russian ruble to the main foreign currencies closing rates of exchange 
as of the reporting dates and the period weighted average exchange rates for corresponding reporting periods are 
indicated below. 

Russian ruble to US dollar 
For the year ended 31 December 
As at 31 December 

Russian ruble to Euro 
For the year ended 31 December 
As at 31 December 

3 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash 
Deposits 
Other cash equivalents 

4 

Investments in joint ventures 

NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. (“NBH”) 
TBEA & NLMK (Shenyang) Metal Product Co., Ltd. 

2020 

2019 

2018 

72.1464 
73.8757 

82.4488 
90.6824 

64.7362 
61.9057 

72.5021 
69.3406 

62.7078 
69.4706 

73.9546 
79.4605 

As at 
31 December 2020 

As at 
31 December 2019 

As at 
31 December 2018 

441 
384 
17 

842 

388 
296 
29 

713 

526 
627 
26 

1,179 

As at 
31 December 2020 

As at 
31 December 2019 

As at 
31 December 2018 

121 
10 

131 

213 
10 

223 

149 
10 

159 

The table below summarises the movements in the carrying amount of the Group’s investments in joint ventures. 

2020 

2019 

2018 

As at 1 January 
Share of net loss 
Contribution into share capital 
Impairment of investments 
Disposal of 2% stake in NBH 
Share of change in unrealised profit in inventory  
Share of change in other comprehensive income 
Translation adjustment 
As at 31 December 

223 
(81) 
131 
(120) 
- 
(35) 
(1) 
14 
131 

159 
(101) 
155 
(31) 
- 
44 
(1) 
(2) 
223 

205 
(120) 
210 
(87) 
(7) 
(36) 
(2) 
(4) 
159 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

4 

Investments in joint ventures (continued) 

Summarised consolidated financial information for NBH before impairment losses is as follows: 

Current assets 
Non-current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Equity 

Revenue 
Net loss 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

693 
673 

1,366 

(635) 
(539) 

767 
551 

1,318 

(654) 
(507) 

969 
562 

1,531 

(684) 
(673) 

(1,174) 

(1,161) 

(1,357) 

192 

157 

174 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

1,374 
(167) 

1,562 
(207) 

1,837 
(242) 

NBH cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $32, $25 and $1, respectively. 

NBH  financial  liabilities  excluding  trade  and  other  accounts  payable  as  at  31 December 2020,  2019  and  2018 
amounted to $510, $649 and $690, respectively, and are included in current and non-current liabilities. 

Reconciliation  of  net  assets  of  NBH,  calculated  in  accordance  with  its  consolidated  financial  statements,  to  the 
carrying amount of the investment is below. 

2020 

2019 

2018 

Net assets as at 1 January 
Net loss for the year 
Contribution into share capital 
Acquisition of treasury shares 
Other comprehensive income 
Translation adjustment 
Net assets as at 31 December 
PP&E valuation difference 
Adjusted net assets as at 31 December 
As at 31 December: 
Share in net assets 
Excess of fair value of investment in NBH as at  
the deconsolidation date 
Accumulated share of the other investor in contributions into 
share capital 
Accumulated impairment of investments 
Share of unrealised profit in inventory 
Cumulative translation adjustment 
Investments in NBH 

23 
(161) 
185 
- 
(1) 
3 
49 
143 
192 

94 

100 

416 
(469) 
(61) 
41 
121 

33 
(202) 
195 
- 
(2) 
(1) 
23 
134 
157 

77 

100 

376 
(349) 
(26) 
35 
213 

19 
(197) 
210 
(5) 
1 
5 
33 
141 
174 

85 

100 

316 
(318) 
(70) 
36 
149 

The  other  investor  in  NBH  is  SOGEPA,  a  Belgian  state-owned  company,  controlling  the  stake  of  49.0%  as  of  
31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

4 

Investments in joint ventures (continued) 

In  October  2019,  the  Group  and  SOGEPA  have  agreed  to  jointly  support  NBH  bank  financing  via  shareholder 
guarantees on a parity basis and to invest in the charter capital of NBH for the execution of the Group’s Strategy 
2022 investment projects EUR 35 million, EUR 50 million and EUR 15 million in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively, 
each. 

In December 2018, the Group converted existing loans to NBH into share capital in the amount of $210.  

Information about the Group’s operations with NBH  and investment impairment testing is disclosed in Notes 23 
and 8, respectively. 

5 

Financial investments 

Short-term financial investments 
Bank deposits (Note 22(c)) 
Loans to related parties (Note 23(c)) 
Other short-term financial investments 

Long-term financial investments 
Loans to related parties (Note 23(c)) 
Bank deposits (Note 22(c)) 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

149 
41 
1 

191 

6 
1 

7 

198 

157 
128 
2 

287 

5 
- 

5 

292 

5 
14 
- 

19 

85 
- 

85 

104 

The carrying amounts of financial investments approximate their fair values. 

6 

Trade and other accounts receivable 

Financial assets 
Trade accounts receivable 
Credit loss allowance of trade accounts receivable 
Other accounts receivable 
Credit loss allowance of other accounts receivable 

Non-financial assets 
Advances given to suppliers 
Allowance for impairment of advances given to suppliers 
VAT and other taxes receivable 
Accounts receivable from employees 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

834 
(14) 
147 
(22) 

945 

79 
(9) 
132 
1 

203 

818 
(18) 
33 
(23) 

810 

70 
(3) 
168 
2 

237 

1,099 
(21) 
30 
(17) 

1,091 

76 
(3) 
161 
1 

235 

1,148 

1,047 

1,326 

The carrying amounts of trade and other accounts receivable approximate their fair values. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

6 

Trade and other accounts receivable (continued) 

As  at  31 December 2020,  2019  and  2018,  accounts  receivable  with  a  carrying  value  of  $119,  $133  and  $173, 
respectively, served as collateral for certain borrowings (Note 11). 

Movements in the credit loss allowance of financial receivables are as follows: 

As at 1 January 
Credit loss allowance recognised 
Accounts receivable written-off 
Credit loss allowance reversed 
Translation adjustment 
As at 31 December 

7 

Inventories 

Raw materials 
Work in process 
Finished goods 

Impairment allowance  

2020 

2019 

2018 

(41) 
(5) 
3 
3 
4 
(36) 

(38) 
(7) 
2 
5 
(3) 
(41) 

(43) 
(8) 
- 
7 
6 
(38) 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

771 
298 
350 

1,419 

(46) 

1,373 

927 
383 
384 

1,694 

(60) 

1,634 

859 
504 
501 

1,864 

(48) 

1,816 

Product type “Slabs” is represented by semi-finished products of own production or purchased from third parties, 
which the Group plans to process further or sell to third parties without processing. Depending on the origin and 
usage plans, this type of product is distributed between “Raw materials”, “Work in process” and “Finished goods” 
categories as follows: 

Raw materials 
Work in process 
Finished goods 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

82 
108 
42 

219 
141 
42 

97 
249 
65 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 inventories with a carrying value of $287, $460 and $472, respectively, 
served as collateral for certain borrowings (Note 11). 

Cost  of  raw  materials  and  acquired  semi-finished  goods 
in  cost  of  production  for  the  years  ended 
31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $3,939, $4,835 and $5,521, respectively. Cost of fuel and energy 
resources in cost of production for the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $540, $607 
and $632, respectively. 

In November 2020 the Group has signed settlement agreement with the United States Government and will receive 
refund of paid steel tariffs and accrued interests, enacted by Department of Commerce under Section 232 of the 
USA Trade Expansion Act. Cost of sales for the year ended 31 December 2020 was reduced by $97. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

8 

Property, plant and equipment 

Land 

Buildings 

Land and buildings 
improvements 

Machinery and 
equipment 

Vehicles 

Construction in 
progress 

Cost at 1 January 2018 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
Net book value at 1 January 2018 

Additions 
Disposals 
Impairment 
Transfers 
Reclassification to intangible assets  
(Note 9) 
Depreciation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Cost at 31 December 2018 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
Net book value at 31 December 2018 
Adjustment on adoption of IFRS 16  
Net book value at 1 January 2019 

Additions 
Disposals 
Impairment 
Transfers 
Depreciation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Cost at 31 December 2019 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
Net book value at 31 December 2019 

128 
- 
128 

- 
- 
- 
5 

- 
- 
(23) 

110 
- 
110 
22 
132 

- 
(3) 
- 
1 
- 
13 

143 
- 
143 

2,057 
(783) 
1,274 

- 
(1) 
- 
55 

- 
(47) 
(207) 

1,774 
(700) 
1,074 
42 
1,116 

6 
- 
- 
53 
(56) 
128 

2,081 
(834) 
1,247 

2,328 
(1,442) 
886 

- 
(1) 
- 
37 

- 
(76) 
(147) 

1,956 
(1,257) 
699 
2 
701 

- 
(2) 
- 
88 
(73) 
85 

2,263 
(1,464) 
799 

6,533 
(4,218) 
2,315 

- 
(3) 
- 
201 

- 
(424) 
(321) 

5,701 
(3,933) 
1,768 
13 
1,781 

3 
(4) 
(4) 
657 
(391) 
179 

6,880 
(4,659) 
2,221 

279 
(188) 
91 

- 
- 
- 
43 

- 
(16) 
(17) 

266 
(165) 
101 
- 
101 

- 
(1) 
- 
75 
(25) 
16 

370 
(204) 
166 

855 
- 
855 

731 
(4) 
(4) 
(341) 

(24) 
- 
(167) 

1,050 
(4) 
1,046 
- 
1,046 

1,158 
- 
(4) 
(874) 
- 
137 

1,472 
(9) 
1,463 

Total 

12,180 
(6,631) 
5,549 

731 
(9) 
(4) 
- 

(24) 
(563) 
(882) 

10,857 
(6,059) 
4,798 
79 
4,877 

1,167 
(10) 
(8) 
- 
(545) 
558 

13,209 
(7,170) 
6,039 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

8 

Property, plant and equipment (continued) 

Including: 
Right-of-use assets 
Cost at 31 December 2019 
Accumulated depreciation  
Net book value at 31 December 2019 

Additions 
Disposals 
Impairment 
Transfers 
Depreciation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Total property, plant and equipment 
Cost at 31 December 2020 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment 
Net book value at 31 December 2020 

Including: 
Right-of-use assets 
Cost at 31 December 2020 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net book value at 31 December 2020 

Land 

Buildings 

Land and buildings 
improvements 

Machinery and 
equipment 

Vehicles 

Construction in 
progress 

Total 

19 
- 
19 

5 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(20) 

128 
- 
128 

19 
- 
19 

53 
(8) 
45 

1 
(1) 
- 
62 
(57) 
(189) 

1,826 
(763) 
1,063 

47 
(13) 
34 

1 
- 
1 

- 
- 
- 
302 
(84) 
(138) 

2,168 
(1,289) 
879 

1 
- 
1 

16 
(3) 
13 

1 
(14) 
- 
642 
(388) 
(302) 

6,487 
(4,327) 
2,160 

18 
(7) 
11 

1 
- 
1 

- 
(1) 
- 
48 
(28) 
(29) 

351 
(195) 
156 

1 
- 
1 

- 
- 
- 

1,087 
(3) 
(5) 
(1,054) 
- 
(215) 

1,285 
(12) 
1,273 

- 
- 
- 

90 
(11) 
79 

1,094 
(19) 
(5) 
- 
(557) 
(893) 

12,245 
(6,586) 
5,659 

86 
(20) 
66 

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised is $32, $59 and $36 for the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The capitalisation rate was 3.2%, 5.5% and 6.5% in 
2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

8 

Property, plant and equipment (continued) 

The Group management made an analysis of impairment indicators of the Group’s assets as well as indicators of 
potential  reversal  of  an  impairment  loss  recognized  in  prior  periods  as  at  30  September  2020.  Against  the 
background  of  the  spread  of  coronavirus  infection  (COVID-19)  heightened  volatility  accompanied  by  the  sales 
volumes  and  prices  decline  on  the  market  of  certain  finished  products  and  raw  materials  triggered  impairment 
assessment  of  some  of  the  Group’s  cash  generating  units,  which  required  the  reassessment  of  the  recoverable 
amounts using the income approach based primarily on Level 3 inputs as at 31 December 2020. Goodwill was also 
tested for impairment as of the same date. No indicators that an impairment loss recognized in prior periods may 
no longer exists or may have decreased have been identified. Testing for impairment in the comparative periods 
was also caused by similar factors and was conducted as of 31 December 2019 and 2018. 

For the purpose of the impairment test, the Group management used a forecast of cash flows for five years and 
normalised cash flows for a post-forecast period. 

The table below summarises CGUs and types of assets, subject to determination of the recoverable amount as of 
31 December 2020 (for JSC NLMK-Ural and LLC NLMK-Metalware as of 30 June 2020), major assumptions and their 
sensitivity used in the impairment models. Sales price is estimated using an average annual growth rate, over the 
5-year forecast period (31 December 2019: 5-year; 31 December 2018: 5-year) based on current industry trends 
and including long-term inflation forecasts for each territory. Sales volume is estimated using an average annual 
growth rate over the same forecast period based on past performance and management’s expectations of market 
development. Discount rate reflects specific risks relating to the relevant segments and the countries in which they 
operate. Sensitivity in the table below was determined as a percentage of changes of corresponding factors in 
forecast and post-forecast periods when recoverable values of assets (value in use) become equal to their carrying 
values (in respect of NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. - carrying value prior to current year impairment loss). As of 30 
June 2020 impairment testing showed that recoverable amount of investment (value in use) in NLMK Belgium 
Holdings S.A. before impairment recognised was below its carrying amount by $120. 

Recoverable amount for CGU NLMK has been determined as fair value less costs to sell. As a result of testing 
performed recoverable amount is higher than carrying amount and possible changes in assumptions do not lead to 
impairment recognition. 

CGU 

Asset type 

NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. Investment 

NLMK Pennsylvania LLC 

NLMK Indiana LLC 

NLMK Indiana LLC 
JSC Altai-Koks 

LLC VIZ-Steel 

LLC VIZ-Steel 
JSC NLMK-Ural 

LLC NLMK-Metalware 

NLMK DanSteel A/S 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 
Goodwill 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 
Property, plant 
and equipment 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Property, plant 
and equipment 

Discount 
rate, % 

  Product types 

Average sale 
price*, $ per 
tonne (FCA)   

Sales 
Price 

Sensitivity, 
% of change 
Sales 
volume   

Discount 
rate 

7.7% 

9.8% 

 Flat products 
and plate 
 Flat products 

9.7% 

 Plate 

9.7% 
14.1% 

13.9% 

13.9% 
13.6% 

13.4% 

 Plate 
 Coke, chemical 
products 
 Flat products 

 Flat products 
 Long-products 
and semi-
finished goods 
 Metalware 

8.1% 

 Plate 

650 

768 

641 

641 
179 

-0.4% 

-2.7% 

0.5 p.p. 

-1.4% 

-5.6% 

0.8 p.p. 

-0.7% 

-6.4% 

1.5 p.p. 

-0.4% 
-57.0% 

-3.3% 
  -47.9% 

0.7 p.p. 
  70.1 p.p. 

1,455 

-40.0% 

-9.2% 

  14.8 p.p. 

1,455 
453 

-38.5% 
-0.2% 

-8.8% 
-1.0% 

  13.4 p.p. 
0.3 p.p. 

615 

687 

-6.5% 

  -32.9% 

  39.6 p.p. 

-2.5% 

-7.4% 

3.7 p.p. 

* Weighted average prices based on the forecast product mix, averaged for the period from 2021 to 2025. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

8 

Property, plant and equipment (continued) 

The table below summarises CGUs and types of assets, subject to determination of the recoverable amount as of 
31 December 2019, major assumptions and their sensitivity used in the impairment models. Sales price is estimated 
using an average annual growth rate, over the 5-year forecast period (31 December 2018: 5-year) based on current 
industry trends and including long-term inflation forecasts for each territory. Sales volume is estimated using an 
average  annual  growth  rate  over  the  same  forecast  period  based  on  past  performance  and  management’s 
expectations of market development. Discount rate reflects specific risks relating to the relevant segments and the 
countries  in  which  they  operate.  Sensitivity  in  the  table  below  was  determined  as  a  percentage  of  changes  of 
corresponding factors in forecast and post-forecast periods when recoverable values of assets (value in use) become 
equal  to  their  carrying  values  (in  respect  of  NLMK  Belgium  Holdings  S.A.  -  carrying  value  prior  to  current  year 
impairment  loss).  As  of  31  December 2019  impairment  testing  showed  that  recoverable  amount  of  investment 
(value in use) in NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. before impairment recognised was below its carrying amount by $31. 

CGU 

Asset type 

NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. Investment 

NLMK Pennsylvania LLC 

NLMK Indiana LLC 

NLMK Indiana LLC 
JSC Altai-Koks 

JSC Altai-Koks 

LLC VIZ-Steel 

LLC VIZ-Steel 
LLC NLMK-Kaluga 

NLMK DanSteel A/S 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 
Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 
Property, plant 
and equipment 

Property, plant 
and equipment 

Discount 
rate, % 

  Product types 

Average sale 
price*, $ per 
tonne (FCA)   

Sales 
Price 

Sensitivity, 
% of change 
Sales 
volume   

Discount 
rate 

7.5% 

9.8% 

 Flat products 
and plate 
 Flat products 

9.7% 

 Plate 

9.7% 
12.9% 

12.9% 

13.8% 

13.8% 
13.6% 

8.1% 

 Plate 
 Coke, chemical 
products 
 Coke, chemical 
products 
 Flat products 

 Flat products 
 Long-products 
and semi-
finished goods 
 Plate 

622 

   0.3% 

   2.3% 

-0.3 p.p. 

737 

582 

582 
147 

-4.0% 

   -31.4%     6.4 p.p. 

-0.5% 

   -6.1% 

   1.3 p.p. 

-0.4% 
   -47.2% 

   0.9 p.p. 
   -4.4% 
   -34.0%     36.6 p.p. 

147 

   -38.6% 

   -27.8%     32.6 p.p. 

1,286 

-4.2% 

   -22.3%     5.8 p.p. 

1,286 
421 

-3.5% 
-0.6% 

   -18.7%     4.4 p.p. 
   0.5 p.p. 
   -3.0% 

649 

-0.1% 

   -0.3% 

   0.1 p.p. 

* Weighted average prices based on the forecast product mix, averaged for the period from 2020 to 2024. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

8 

Property, plant and equipment (continued) 

The table below summarises CGUs and types of assets, subject to determination of the recoverable amount as of 
31 December 2018,  major  assumptions  and  their  sensitivity  used  in  the  impairment  models.  Prices  for  steel 
products in this estimate were determined based on forecasts of investment banks’ analysts. Sensitivity in the table 
below was determined as a percent of changes of corresponding factors in forecast and post-forecast periods when 
recoverable  values  of  assets  (value  in  use)  become  equal  to  their  carrying  values  (in  respect  of  NLMK  Belgium 
Holdings S.A. - carrying value prior to current year impairment loss). As of 31 December 2018 impairment testing 
showed that recoverable amount of investment (value in use) in NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A.  before impairment 
recognised was below its carrying amount by $87. 

CGU 

Asset type 

Discount 
rate, % 

  Product types 

Average sale 
price*, $ per 
tonne (FCA)   

Sales 
Price 

Sensitivity, 
% of change 
Sales 
volume   

Discount 
rate 

NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. Investment 

7.6% 

JSC Altai-Koks 

JSC Altai-Koks 

NLMK DanSteel A/S 

Property, plant 
and equipment 
Goodwill 

Property, plant 
and equipment 

13.0% 

13.0% 

7.8% 

 Flat products 
and plate 
 Coke, chemical 
products 
 Coke, chemical 
products 
 Plate 

642 

187 

187 

674 

0.7% 

  6.9% 

-0.8 p.p. 

-15.4% 

  -10.6% 

  13.5 p.p. 

-2.4% 

-1.6% 

1.5 p.p. 

-0.7% 

-3.6% 

0.8 p.p. 

* Weighted average prices based on the forecast product mix, averaged for the period from 2019 to 2023. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

9 

Intangible assets 

Goodwill 

  Mineral rights 

Industrial 
intellectual 
property 

Beneficial lease 
interest 

Cost at 1 January 2018 
Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment 
Net book value at  
1 January 2018 

Additions 

Reclassification from property, 
plant and equipment (Note 8) 
Amortisation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Cost at 31 December 2018 
Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment 
Net book value at 
31 December 2018 
Adjustment on adoption of  
IFRS 16 
Net book value at  
1 January 2019 

Additions 
Impairment 
Amortisation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Cost at 31 December 2019 
Accumulated amortisation and 
impairment 
Net book value at 
31 December 2019 

Additions 
Disposals 
Amortisation charge 
Translation adjustment 

Cost at 31 December 2020 
Accumulated amortisation 
Net book value at 
31 December 2020 

Including: 
Right-of-use assets 
Cost at 31 December 2020 
Accumulated amortisation 
Net book value at 
31 December 2020 

279 

(14) 

265 

- 

- 
- 
(41) 

238 

(14) 

224 

- 

224 

- 
- 
- 
24 

262 

(14) 

248 

- 
- 
- 
(36) 

226 
(14) 

212 

- 
- 

- 

351 

(234) 

117 

1 

24 
(4) 
(21) 

296 

(179) 

117 

- 

117 

1 
(22) 
(3) 
14 

311 

(204) 

107 

1 
- 
(3) 
(16) 

263 
(174) 

89 

- 
- 

- 

53 

(14) 

39 

18 

- 
(10) 
(7) 

57 

(17) 

40 

- 

40 

24 
- 
(14) 
5 

86 

(31) 

55 

44 
(3) 
(14) 
(12) 

100 
(30) 

70 

17 
(2) 

15 

9 

(1) 

8 

- 

- 
- 
- 

9 

(1) 

8 

(8) 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

Total 

692 

(263) 

429 

19 

24 
(14) 
(69) 

600 

(211) 

389 

(8) 

381 

25 
(22) 
(17) 
43 

659 

(249) 

410 

45 
(3) 
(17) 
(64) 

589 
(218) 

371 

17 
(2) 

15 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

9 

Intangible assets (continued) 

Mineral  rights  include  a  license  for  iron  ore  and  non-metallic  minerals  mining  of  Stoilensky  iron-ore  deposit  in 
Belgorod Region expiring in 2040, with the carrying value of $59, $73 and $68 as at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 
2018, respectively. 

In October 2019, the Group decided to stop coal exploration works in the Usinsky mine field area No. 3 and returned 
an exploration and extraction license expiring in 2031 to the government. As a result, impairment charge of $22 
was recognized which equals the full amount of the exploration asset carrying value.  

Goodwill  arising  on  acquisitions  was  allocated  to  the  appropriate  business  segments  in  which  the  respective 
acquisitions took place. 

Allocation of net book value of goodwill to each segment is as follows: 

Russian flat products 
NLMK USA 
Russian long products 
Mining 

Goodwill impairment testing 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

137 
21 
3 
51 

212 

163 
21 
3 
61 

248 

146 
21 
3 
54 

224 

The  Group  tested  goodwill  for  impairment  as  at  31 December 2020,  2019  and  2018.  For  the  purpose  of  annual 
impairment testing of goodwill related to CGU JSC Stoilensky GOK as at 31 December 2020, management decided 
to use the previous detailed calculation of this СGU recoverable amount as there were no significant changes in the 
underlying business. The recoverable amount has been determined as value in use of the respective asset. For the 
purpose of this impairment testing (excluding CGU JSC Stoilensky GOK), the Group used the same assumptions and 
estimates as for other assets, as disclosed in Note 8. Impairment testing showed no impairment of goodwill as at 
31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018. 

10 

Trade and other accounts payable 

Financial liabilities 
Trade accounts payable 
Accounts payable for purchases of property, plant and 
equipment 
Other accounts payable 

Non-financial liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities to employees 
Advances received 
Taxes payable other than income tax 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

429 

159 
27 

615 

144 
175 
131 

450 

558 

184 
29 

771 

149 
103 
101 

353 

584 

121 
26 

731 

177 
120 
94 

391 

1,065 

1,124 

1,122 

The carrying amounts of trade and other accounts payable approximate their fair values. 

In 2020 and 2019 the Group recognised revenue equal to the amount of contracts liability included into advances 
received as at the beginning of the year. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

11 

Borrowings 

Rates* 

  Currency 

  Maturity* 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

Bonds 
From 4.00% to 4.70% 

Loans 
From EURIBOR+0.85% to 
EURIBOR+1.30% 
From LIBOR +1.20% to LIBOR 
+1.50% 
0.94% 
0.95% 

Leases 

USD 

2023-2026  

1,709 

1,709 

1,354 

2021-2024  

1,065 

EUR 

USD 
EUR 
EUR 

2021  
2022  
2022  

2021-2089  

258 
123 
245 

86 
3,486 

(1,054) 

2,432 

784 

85 
- 
- 

78 
2,656 

(468) 

2,188 

562 

159 
- 
- 

- 
2,075 

(398) 

1,677 

Less: short-term loans and current maturities of long-term 
loans, bonds and leases 

Long-term borrowings 
* Rates and maturity as of 31 December 2020 

The carrying amounts and fair value of long-term bonds are as follows: 

As at 
31 December 2020  
Fair 
value  

Carrying 
amount  

As at 
31 December 2019  
Fair 
value  

Carrying 
amount  

As at 
31 December 2018 
Fair 
value 

Carrying 
amount  

Bonds 

1,709   

1,864   

1,709   

1,823   

1,209   

1,159 

The  fair  value  of  short-term  borrowings  equals  their  carrying  amount.  The  fair  values  of  long-term  borrowings 
approximate their carrying amount. The fair values of bonds are based on market price and are within level 1 of the 
fair value hierarchy. 

The Group has complied with the financial and non-financial covenants of its borrowing facilities during the years 
ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018. 

Bonds and bonds’ coupons as at 31 December 2020 were designated as hedging instrument with carrying amount 
and fair value of $1,287 and $1,386, respectively (Note 22).  

The long-term borrowings mature as follows: 

1-2 years 
2-5 years 
Over 5 years 

Collateral 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

579 
1,327 
526 

2,432 

410 
1,245 
533 

2,188 

133 
1,044 
500 

1,677 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, the loan facilities were secured by inventories and accounts receivable 
with the total carrying value of $406, $593 and $645, respectively (Notes 6, 7). 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

11 

Borrowings (continued) 

Net debt reconciliation 

Short-term 
borrowings 

Long-term 
borrowings 

Cash and cash 
equivalents 

Balance at 1 January 2018 

Cash flows 
Interest accrued 
Foreign exchange difference 
Translation adjustment 

(380) 

(1,901) 

55 
(77) 
(19) 
23 

199 
- 
(246) 
271 

Balance at 31 December 2018 

(398) 

(1,677) 

Cash flows 
Interest accrued 
Foreign exchange difference 
Recognition on adoption of IFRS 16  
Leasing recognised 
Translation adjustment 

Balance at 31 December 2019 

Cash flows 
Interest accrued 
Foreign exchange difference 
Leasing recognised 
Other financial expenses 
Translation adjustment 

17 
(81) 
23 
(8) 
- 
(21) 

(468) 

(424) 
(100) 
(42) 
(12) 
- 
(8) 

(436) 
- 
184 
(71) 
(15) 
(173) 

(2,188) 

(178) 
- 
(342) 
(17) 
(7) 
300 

Balance at 31 December 2020 

(1,054) 

(2,432) 

301 

840 
- 
72 
(34) 

1,179 

(456) 
- 
(94) 
- 
- 
84 

713 

129 
- 
59 
- 
- 
(59) 

842 

Short-term 
bank 
deposits   

1,057 

(1,055) 
12 
62 
(71) 

5 

143 
13 
(17) 
- 
- 
13 

157 

(14) 
7 
5 
- 
- 
(6) 

149 

Net debt 

(923) 

39 
(65) 
(131) 
189 

(891) 

(732) 
(68) 
96 
(79) 
(15) 
(97) 

(1,786) 

(487) 
(93) 
(320) 
(29) 
(7) 
227 

(2,495) 

12 

(a) 

Shareholders’ equity 

Shares 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Parent  Company’s share capital consisted of 5,993,227,240 issued 
common shares, with a par value of 1 Russian ruble each. For each common share held, the stockholder has the 
right to one vote at the stockholders’ meetings. 

(b) 

Dividends 

Dividends are paid on common shares at the recommendation of the Board of Directors and approval at a General 
Shareholders Meeting, subject to certain limitations as determined by the Russian legislation. Profits available for 
distribution to the shareholders in respect of any reporting period are determined by reference to the statutory 
financial statements of the Parent Company. As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, the retained earnings of the 
Parent  Company,  available  for  distribution  in  accordance  with  the  legislative  requirements  of  the  Russian 
Federation,  amounted  to  $3,322,  $4,671  and  $4,689,  converted  into  US  dollars  using  the  exchange  rates  at 
31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

According to the Group’s dividend policy, the Group pays dividends on a quarterly basis as follows: 

▪ 

▪ 

If Net Debt/EBITDA is below 1.0х, the payout amount shall be equivalent to or above 100% of free cash 
flow, based on the Company's IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements for the reporting period; 

If Net Debt/EBITDA is above 1.0х, the payout amount shall be equivalent to or above 50% of free cash flow, 
based on the Company's IFRS Consolidated Financial Statements for the reporting period. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

12 

Shareholders’ equity (continued) 

Dividends,  declared  by  the  Parent  Company  and  translated  to  US  dollars  at  the  historical  rate  as  of  the 
announcement date, are as in the table below. 

Declaration 
period 

2020  
Total 

2019  
Total 

Per share*   

amount   Per share*   

amount   Per share*   

2018 

Total 
amount 

326 
556 
477 
537 

5.80   
7.34   
3.68   
3.22   

543   
674   
343   
309   

3.36   
5.73   
5.24   
6.04   

1,869   

1,896 

For the 4th quarter of previous year  April 
For the 1st quarter of current year 
June 
For the 2nd quarter of current year  September 
For the 3rd quarter of current year  December 

3.12   
3.21   
4.75   
6.43   

263 
275 
369 
528 

1,435 

* Dividends per share are shown in Russian rubles. 

(c) 

Capital management 

The  Group’s  objectives  when  managing  capital  are  to  safeguard  financial  stability  and  a  target  return  for  the 
shareholders,  as  well  as  the  reduction  of  cost  of  capital  and  optimisation  of  its  structure.  To  achieve  these 
objectives, the Group may revise its investment program, borrow new or repay existing loans, offer equity or debt 
instruments on capital markets. 

When managing capital, the Group uses the following indicators: 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

the return on invested capital ratio, which is defined as operating profit  before share of results of joint 
ventures and impairment of investments in joint ventures, impairment of non-current assets and loss on 
disposals of property, plant and equipment less income tax divided by capital employed for the last twelve 
months, should exceed cost of capital; 

the net debt to EBITDA ratio, which is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents and short-term 
bank  deposits  divided  by  operating  profit  before  share  of  results  of  joint  ventures  and  impairment  of 
investments in joint ventures, impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of property, plant 
and equipment less depreciation and amortization for the last twelve months; 

free cash flow, which is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less net interest paid less capital 
expenditures, should be positive. 

There were no changes in the Group’s approach to capital management during the reporting period. 

13 

Earnings per share 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

Profit for the year attributable to the NLMK shareholders 
(millions of US dollars) 
Weighted average number of shares 

1,236 
5,993,227,240 

1,339 
5,993,227,240 

2,238 
5,993,227,240 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (US dollars) 

0.2062 

0.2234 

0.3734 

Basic  and  diluted  net  earnings  per  share  is  calculated  by  dividing  profit  for  the  year  attributable  to  the  NLMK 
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. NLMK 
does not have potentially dilutive financial instruments during the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

14 

(a) 

Revenue 

Revenue by type 

Revenue from sale of goods 
Flat products 
Pig iron, slabs and billets 
Long products and metalware 
Coke and other chemical products 
Iron ore and sintering ore 
Scrap 
Other products 

Total revenue from sale of goods 

Revenue from transportation services 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

4,819 
2,684   
990 
197 
69 
54 
136 

8,949 

296 

9,245 

5,804 
2,628 
1,231 
295 
48 
75 
178 

6,416 
3,477 
1,268 
307 
- 
86 
194 

10,259 

11,748 

295 

298 

10,554 

12,046 

(b) 

Revenue by geographical area 

The allocation of total revenue by geographical area is based on the location of end customers who purchased the 
Group’s products. The Group’s total revenue from external customers by geographical area is as follows: 

Russia 
European Union 
North America 
Middle East, including Turkey 
Asia and Oceania 
CIS 
Central and South America 
Other regions 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

3,820   
1,562 
1,426 
1,033 
780 
249 
210 
165 

4,337 
1,917 
1,948 
1,169 
244 
405 
285 
249 

4,051 
2,268 
2,556 
1,375 
489 
405 
557 
345 

9,245 

10,554 

12,046 

The Group does not have customers with a share of more than 10% of the total revenue in 2020 and 2019, except 
NBH group companies in 2018 (Note 23). 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

15 

Labour costs 

The  Group’s  labour  costs,  including  social  security  costs,  which  are  included  in  the  corresponding  lines  of  the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss, were as indicated below. 

Cost of sales 
General and administrative expenses 
Selling expenses 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

696 
182 
31 

909 

750 
191 
29 

970 

720 
230 
29 

979 

Remuneration of the key management personnel that comprises payments to members of the Management Board 
and the Board of Directors of the Parent  Company, is recorded within general and administrative expenses and 
includes annual compensation and performance bonus contingent on the Group’s results for the reporting year. 

Total remuneration of the key management personnel, including social security costs amounted to $14, $17 and 
$38  in  2020,  2019  and  2018,  respectively.  As  at  31  December  2020,  2019  and  2018  accrued  liabilities  to  key 
management personnel related to the long-term incentive plan amounted to nil, nil and $25, respectively. 

16 

Taxes other than income tax 

Allocation  of  taxes  other  than  income  tax  to  the  functional  items  of  consolidated  statement  of  profit  or  loss  is 
indicated below. 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

59 
4 
1 

64 

57 
3 
6 

66 

76 
4 
8 

88 

Cost of sales 
General and administrative expenses 
Other operating expenses 

17 

Income tax 

Income tax charge comprises the following: 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

Current income tax expense 
Deferred income tax benefit/(expense) 
Income tax related to hedge reserve of cash flows 

Total income tax expense 

(308) 
6 
(41) 

(343) 

(379) 
(74) 
- 

(453) 

(574) 
88 
- 

(486) 

The  corporate  income  tax  rate  applicable  to  the  Group  entities  located  in  Russia,  is  predominantly  20%.  The 
corporate income tax rate applicable to income of foreign subsidiaries ranges from 11% to 30%. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

17 

Income tax (continued) 

Profit before income tax is reconciled to the income tax expense as follows: 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

Profit before income tax 

Income tax at rate 20% 

Change in income tax: 

- tax effect of non-deductible income/(expenses) 
- non-taxable translation adjustments 
- effect of different tax rates 
- unrecognized deferred tax asset on investments in joint 
ventures 
- unrecognised tax loss carry forward for the year 
- utilisation of previously unrecognised tax loss carry forward 
- effect of tax on intercompany dividends 
- impairment of previously recognised deferred tax assets 
- recognition of previously unrecognised tax loss carry 
forward 

1,580 

(316) 

3 
4 
22 

(59) 
(10) 
13 
- 
- 

- 

1,794 

(359) 

(15) 
(1) 
9 

(26) 
(27) 
1 
(1) 
(34) 

- 

2,729 

(546) 

- 
7 
27 

(71) 
(8) 
56 
(6) 
(15) 

70 

Total income tax expense 

(343) 

(453) 

(486) 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the  deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, are 
presented below: 

As at 
31 December 2020   

(Charged)/credited 
to profit or loss 

Translation 
adjustment   

As at 
1 January 2020 

Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Tax losses carried forward 
Borrowings 
Other long-term liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other intangible assets 

Total deferred tax liability, net 

26 
13 
18 
39 
13 
10 

119 

(348) 
(11) 

(359) 

(240) 

8 
4 
5 
(6) 
3 
10 

24 

(14) 
(4) 

(18) 

6 

(3) 
(2) 
- 
- 
- 
- 

(5) 

62 
1 

63 

58 

21 
11 
13 
45 
10 
- 

100 

(396) 
(8) 

(404) 

(304) 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

17 

Income tax (continued) 

Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Tax losses carried forward 
Borrowings 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other intangible assets 

Total deferred tax liability, net 

Deferred tax assets 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Tax losses carried forward 

Deferred tax liabilities 
Property, plant and equipment 
Other intangible assets 

Total deferred tax liability, net 

As at 
31 December 2019   

(Charged)/credited 
to profit or loss 

Translation 
adjustment   

As at 
1 January 2019 

21 
11 
13 
45 
10 

100 

(396) 
(8) 

(404) 

(304) 

(9) 
1 
(10) 
(42) 
10 

(50) 

(27) 
3 

(24) 

(74) 

2 
1 
- 
- 
- 

3 

(38) 
(1) 

(39) 

(36) 

28 
9 
23 
87 
- 

147 

(331) 
(10) 

(341) 

(194) 

As at 
31 December 2018   

(Charged)/credited 
to profit or loss 

Translation 
adjustment   

As at 
1 January 2018 

28 
9 
23 
87 

147 

(331) 
(10) 

(341) 

(194) 

11 
(2) 
6 
56 

71 

20 
(3) 

17 

88 

(4) 
(3) 
(6) 
1 

(12) 

59 
4 

63 

51 

21 
14 
23 
30 

88 

(410) 
(11) 

(421) 

(333) 

The  amount  of  tax  loss  carry-forwards  that  can  be  utilised  each  year  is  limited  under  the  Group’s  different  tax 
jurisdictions. The Group regularly evaluates assumptions underlying its assessment of the realisability of its deferred 
tax assets and makes adjustments to the extent necessary. In assessing the probability that future taxable profit 
against which the Group can utilise the potential benefit of the tax loss carry forwards will be available, management 
considers  the  current  situation  and  the  future  economic  benefits  outlined  in  specific  business  plans  for  each 
subsidiary. Deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will 
reverse  in  the  future  and  there  is  sufficient  future  taxable  profit  available  against  which  the  deductions  can  be 
utilised. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

17 

Income tax (continued) 

The table below summarises unused cumulative tax losses for which no deferred tax assets has been recognised, 
with a breakdown by the expiry dates. 

From 10 to 20 years 
No expiration 

Total 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

180 
1,468 

1,648 

256 
1,407 

1,663 

- 
1,393 

1,393 

The unused tax losses were incurred mostly by Group subsidiaries located in Europe and USA. 

The Group has not recorded a deferred tax liability in respect of temporary differences of $1,441, $1,417 and $1,728 
for the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, associated with investments in subsidiaries 
and joint ventures as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of those temporary differences and does 
not intend to reverse them in the foreseeable future. 

In accordance with the statutory legislation, the Group’s entities in Russia (major entities, including NLMK) and USA 
were integrated in two separate consolidated groups of taxpayers for the purpose of assessment and payment of 
corporate income tax in line with the combined financial result of business operations. The Group’s entities that are 
not part of the consolidated groups of taxpayers assess their income taxes individually. 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Group analysed its tax positions for uncertainties affecting recognition 
and measurement thereof. Following the analysis, the Group believes that all deductible tax positions which form 
the basis for income tax returns of the Group companies, are recognised and measured in accordance with the 
applicable tax legislation. 

18 

Finance income and costs 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

Interest income on bank accounts and bank deposits 
Other finance income 

Total finance income 

Interest expense on borrowings 
Capitalised interest 
Other finance costs 

Total finance costs 

7 
11 

18 

(100) 
32 
(22) 

(90) 

13 
5 

18 

(81) 
33 
(20) 

(68) 

12 
9 

21 

(77) 
21 
(14) 

(70) 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

19 

Foreign exchange differences 

Foreign exchange gain/(loss) on cash and cash equivalents 
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) on financial investments 
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain on debt financing 
Foreign exchange loss on other assets and liabilities 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

  For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

59 
74 
(171) 
(2) 

(40) 

(94) 
(139) 
242 
(15) 

(6) 

72 
245 
(250) 
(34) 

33 

Starting  from  February  3,  2020  the  Group  adopted  hedge  accounting  of  cash  flows  in  accordance  with 
IFRS 9 “Financial instruments” (Note 22). 

20 

Operating leases 

Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows: 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

Within 1 year 
From 1 to 5 years 
After 5 years 

Total commitments for minimum lease payments 

In 2018 total rental expenses relating to operating leases were $17. 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

15 
50 
228 

293 

From 1 January 2019, the Group has recognised right-of-use assets for these leases, except for short-term and low-
value leases. 

21 

Segment information 

The Group management examines the Group’s performance both from a product and geographic perspective and 
has identified six reportable segments of its business: Mining, Russian flat products, Russian long products, NLMK 
USA, NLMK DanSteel and Plates Distribution Network, and Investments in NBH. Each of these segments represents 
a combination of subsidiaries (except for Investments in NBH – see Note 4), offers its own products, has a separate 
management team and is managed separately with relevant results reviewed on a monthly basis by the Group’s 
Management Board which is the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by IFRS 8 Segment Reporting.   

The  Group  management  determines  pricing  for  intersegmental  sales,  as  if  the  sales  were  to  third  parties.  
The revenue from external parties is measured in the same way as in the consolidated statement of profit or loss. 
The  Group  management  evaluates  performance  of  each  segment  based  on  segment  revenues,  gross  profit, 
operating  profit  before  share  of  results  of  joint  ventures  and  impairment  of  investments  in  joint  ventures, 
impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment, profit for the year and 
amount of total assets and total liabilities. 

Elimination of intersegmental operations and balances represents elimination of intercompany dividends paid to 
Russian flat products segment by other segments and presented within “Profit for the year” line together with other 
intercompany elimination adjustments, including elimination of NBH’s liabilities to the Group companies (Note 23). 
NBH deconsolidation adjustments include elimination of NBH’s sales, recognition of the Group’s sales to NBH and 
elimination of unrealised profits (Notes 4, 23),  elimination of NBH’s assets and liabilities and  recognition of  the 
investment in joint venture (Note 4), recognition of impairment and share of NBH’s loss, and other consolidation 
adjustments. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

21 

Segment information (continued) 

Information on the segments’ profit or loss for the year ended 31 December 2020 and their assets and liabilities as of this date is as follows: 

Revenue from external customers 
Intersegment revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 
Operating profit/(loss)* 
Net finance income/(costs) 
Income tax (expense)/benefit 
Profit/(loss) for the year 
Segment assets 
Segment liabilities 
Depreciation and amortization 
Capital expenditures 

Mining   
92 
1,307 
(355) 
1,044 
957 
1 
(188) 
760 
1,738 
(264) 
(107) 
(202) 

Russian flat 
products   
5,600 
1,188 
(4,775) 
2,013 
1,076 
(73) 
(152) 
1,260 
6,957 
(4,942) 
(354) 
(806) 

Russian long 
products   
1,171 
368 
(1,343) 
196 
49 
- 
(7) 
28 
940 
(398) 
(44) 
(38) 

NLMK DanSteel 
and Plates 
Distribution 
Network   
399 
1 
(359) 
41 
(16) 
(3) 
(1) 
(23) 
428 
(315) 
(12) 
(44) 

NLMK 
USA   

1,086 
- 
(1,007) 
79 
19 
3 
3 
24 
749 
(150) 
(57) 
(49) 

Investments in 
NBH   

Elimination of 
intersegmental 
operations and 
balances   

1,325 
49 
(1,361) 
13 
(154) 
(13) 
- 
(167) 
1,366 
(1,174) 
(61) 
(274) 

- 
(2,864) 
2,850 
(14) 
21 
- 
2 
(541) 
(1,153) 
1,291 
- 
- 

NBH deconsoli-
dation adjust-
ments   
(428) 
(49) 
430 
(47) 
119 
13 
- 
(104) 
(1,163) 
831 
61 
274 

Total 

9,245 
- 
(5,920) 
3,325 
2,071 
(72) 
(343) 
1,237 
9,862 
(5,121) 
(574) 
(1,139) 

* Operating profit/(loss) before share of results of joint ventures and impairment of investments in joint ventures, impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

21 

Segment information (continued) 

Information on the segments’ profit or loss for the year ended 31 December 2019 and their assets and liabilities as of this date is as follows: 

Revenue from external customers 
Intersegment revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit/(loss) 
Operating profit/(loss)* 
Net finance income/(costs) 
Income tax (expense)/benefit 
Profit/(loss) for the year 
Segment assets 
Segment liabilities 
Depreciation and amortization 
Capital expenditures 

Mining   
77 
1,238 
(381) 
934 
864 
15 
(161) 
661 
2,120 
(607) 
(113) 
(218) 

Russian flat 
products   
5,897 
1,430 
(5,239) 
2,088 
1,160 
(55) 
(239) 
1,941 
7,483 
(4,567) 
(330) 
(854) 

Russian long 
products   
1,428 
329 
(1,554) 
203 
39 
- 
(8) 
15 
1,160 
(437) 
(50) 
(50) 

NLMK DanSteel 
and Plates 
Distribution 
Network   
490 
1 
(435) 
56 
(3) 
(2) 
(1) 
(6) 
371 
(258) 
(11) 
(33) 

NLMK 
USA   

1,715 
- 
(1,728) 
(13) 
(95) 
(8) 
(31) 
(128) 
840 
(314) 
(58) 
(37) 

Investments in 
NBH   

Elimination of 
intersegmental 
operations and 
balances   

1,502 
60 
(1,568) 
(6) 
(197) 
(12) 
4 
(207) 
1,318 
(1,161) 
(63) 
(118) 

- 
(2,998) 
2,938 
(60) 
(7) 
- 
(13) 
(1,097) 
(1,752) 
2,028 
- 
- 

NBH deconsoli-
dation adjust-
ments   
(555) 
(60) 
664 
49 
241 
12 
(4) 
162 
(1,056) 
779 
63 
118 

Total 

10,554 
- 
(7,303) 
3,251 
2,002 
(50) 
(453) 
1,341 
10,484 
(4,537) 
(562) 
(1,192) 

* Operating profit/(loss) before share of results of joint ventures and impairment of investments in joint ventures, impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

21 

Segment information (continued) 

Information on the segments’ profit or loss for the year ended 31 December 2018 and their assets and liabilities as of this date is as follows: 

Revenue from external customers 
Intersegment revenue 
Cost of sales 
Gross profit 
Operating profit/(loss)* 
Net finance income/(costs) 
Income tax (expense)/benefit 
Profit/(loss) for the year 
Segment assets 
Segment liabilities 
Depreciation and amortization 
Capital expenditures 

Mining   
22 
1,189 
(381) 
830 
771 
19 
(179) 
706 
2,081 
(412) 
(117) 
(137) 

Russian flat 
products   
6,327 
2,416 
(5,672) 
3,071 
2,005 
(49) 
(355) 
1,875 
6,822 
(4,262) 
(334) 
(520) 

Russian long 
products   
1,720 
432 
(1,779) 
373 
161 
(6) 
(25) 
155 
1,150 
(450) 
(60) 
(36) 

NLMK DanSteel 
and Plates 
Distribution 
Network   
513 
1 
(475) 
39 
(26) 
(4) 
(4) 
(34) 
373 
(251) 
(9) 
(37) 

NLMK 
USA   

2,134 
- 
(1,863) 
271 
196 
(9) 
69 
255 
1,019 
(350) 
(57) 
(20) 

Investments in 
NBH   

Elimination of 
intersegmental 
operations and 
balances   

1,772 
65 
(1,812) 
25 
(162) 
(12) 
19 
(242) 
1,531 
(1,357) 
(75) 
(116) 

- 
(4,038) 
3,856 
(182) 
(59) 
- 
8 
(435) 
(1,748) 
2,126 
- 
- 

NBH deconsoli-
dation adjust-
ments   
(442) 
(65) 
446 
(61) 
126 
12 
(19) 
(37) 
(1,284) 
846 
75 
116 

Total 

12,046 
- 
(7,680) 
4,366 
3,012 
(49) 
(486) 
2,243 
9,944 
(4,110) 
(577) 
(750) 

* Operating profit/(loss) before share of results of joint ventures and impairment of investments in joint ventures, impairment of non-current assets and loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

21 

Segment information (continued) 

Geographically, all significant assets, production and administrative facilities of the Group are located in Russia, USA 
and Europe. The following is a summary of non-current assets other than financial instruments, investments in joint 
ventures and deferred tax assets by location: 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

5,503 
287 
220 
25 

6,035 

5,975 
298 
169 
18 

6,460 

4,731 
310 
145 
12 

5,198 

Russian Federation 
USA 
Denmark 
Other 

22 

(a) 

Risks and uncertainties 

Operating environment of the Group 

The  Russian  Federation  displays  certain  characteristics  of  an  emerging  market.  The  legal,  tax  and  regulatory 
frameworks continue to develop and are subject to varying interpretations (Note 24(f)). 

The  Russian  economy  continues  to  be  negatively  impacted  by  ongoing  political  tension  in  the  region  and 
international sanctions against certain Russian companies and individuals. This environment may have a significant 
impact on the Group’s operations and financial position and the future effects of the current economic situation 
are difficult to predict therefore management’s current expectations and estimates could differ from actual results. 
Management is taking necessary measures to ensure sustainability of the Group’s operations. 

The major financial risks inherent to the Group’s operations are those related to market risk, credit risk and liquidity 
risk.  The  objectives  of  the  financial  risk  management  function  are  to  establish  risk  limits,  and  then  ensure  that 
exposure to risks stays within these limits. 

(b) 

Market risk 

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument  will fluctuate because of 
changes in market prices. Market  risk  comprises three types of risk: interest  rate risk, foreign  currency risk  and 
commodity price risk. 

Interest rate risk 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of 
changes in market interest rates. 

The risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s long-term  borrowings with variable 
interest rates. To manage this risk, the Group continuously monitors interest rate movements. The Group reduces 
its exposure to this risk by having a balanced portfolio of fixed and variable rate borrowings. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

The interest rate risk profile of the Group is follows: 

Fixed rate instruments 

Financial assets 

- cash and cash equivalents (Note 3) 
- financial investments (Note 5) 
- trade and other accounts receivable less credit loss 
allowance (Note 6) 

Financial liabilities 

- trade and other accounts payable (Note 10) 
- dividends payable 
- borrowings (Note 11) 

Variable rate instruments 

Financial liabilities 

- borrowings (Note 11) 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

842 
198 

945 
1,985 

(615) 
(109) 
(2,163) 
(2,887) 

713 
292 

810 
1,815 

(771) 
(318) 
(1,787) 
(2,876) 

1,179 
104 

1,091 
2,374 

(731) 
(525) 
(1,354) 
(2,610) 

(1,323) 
(1,323) 

(869) 
(869) 

(721) 
(721) 

A change of 100 basis points in interest rates for variable rate instruments would not have significantly affected 
profit for the year and equity. 

Foreign currency risk 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because 
of changes in foreign exchange rates. 

The export-oriented companies of the Group are exposed to foreign currency risks. To minimise foreign currency 
risks, the export program is designed taking into account potential (forecast) major foreign currencies’ exchange 
fluctuations. The Group diversifies its revenues in different currencies. In its export contracts, the Group controls 
the  balance  of  currency  positions:  payments  in  foreign  currency  are  settled  with  export  revenues  in  the  same 
currency. 

Management of foreign currency risk related to changes in cash flows of future receipts in foreign currency  

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk related to the revenue expected to be received nominated in foreign 
currencies, mainly in US dollars. To hedge the foreign currency risk exposure on revenue expected to be received 
in foreign currency the Group attracts borrowings in the same foreign currency. 

On February 3, 2020 the Group designated the portion of US dollars nominated borrowings as hedging instrument 
of the expected highly probable US dollars nominated revenue in accordance with IFRS 9 “Financial instruments”. 

On February 3, 2020 a portion of future monthly revenues expected to be received in US dollars over the period 
from  February  2020  through  May  2026  was  designated  as  a  hedged  item.  The  Group's bonds  and  bonds’ 
coupons nominated in US dollars were designated as hedging instrument (Note 11). 

The nominal amounts of the hedged item and the hedging instrument are equal. To the extent that a change in the 
foreign  currency  rate  impacts  on  the  value  of  the  hedging  instrument,  the  effects  are  recognized  in  other 
comprehensive  income  or  loss  and further reclassified  to  profit  or  loss  in  the  same  period  in  which  the 
hedged revenue is recognised. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

The management strategy of foreign currency risk related to volatility of future cash inflows in foreign currency is 
to hedge revenue expected to be received in the amount of the net monetary position in US dollars. The amount of 
hedged revenue aligns the amount of payments on bonds and bonds’ coupons. The Group expects that the hedging 
relationships are effective since the future cash outflows on bonds and bonds’ coupons payments match the future 
cash inflows on the hedged portion of revenue. Ineffectiveness may occur as hedged items and hedge instruments 
have different maturity dates. 

Information on the amounts of currency differences on hedging instrument recognized in other comprehensive loss 
is as follows: 

Hedge reserve of cash flows 
Hedging result 

Income tax related to hedge reserve of cash flows 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020 

For the year ended 
31 December 2019 

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

(229) 
24 

41 

(164) 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

A  schedule  of  the  expected  reclassification  of  the  accumulated  effects  from  the  remeasurement  of  hedging 
instrument recognized in other comprehensive loss to profit or loss as of December 31, 2020 is as follows: 

Reclassifications 
Income tax 

2020  

(29)   
6   

2021 

2022   

2023   

2024   

2025 

2026   

Total 

(29)   
6   

(30)   
6   

(55)   
11   

(41)   
8   

(23)   

(23)   

(24)   

(44)   

(33)   

(20)   
4   

(16)   

(5)   
1   

(209) 
42 

(4)   

(167) 

The  net  foreign  currency  position  presented  below  is  calculated  in  respect  of  major  currencies  by  items  of 
consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  as  the  difference  between  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities 
denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of each entity at 31 December 2020. 

US dollar  

Euro 

Hong Kong 
dollar 

Swiss franc 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Financial investments 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Borrowings 
Cash flow hedge  

409 
7 
- 
(49) 
(1,709) 
1,287 

139 
401 
139 
(345) 
(1,433) 
- 

Net foreign currency position 

(55) 

(1,099) 

112 
- 
50 
- 
- 
- 

162 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

The  net  foreign  currency  position  presented  below  is  calculated  in  respect  of  major  currencies  by  items  of 
consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  as  the  difference  between  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities 
denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of each entity at 31 December 2019. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Financial investments 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Borrowings 

Net foreign currency position 

US dollar  

Euro 

Hong Kong 
dollar 

Swiss franc 

115 
4 
- 
(82) 
(1,709) 

(1,672) 

304 
349 
133 
(324) 
(784) 

(322) 

1 
- 
154 
- 
- 

155 

1 
- 
- 
- 
- 

1 

The  net  foreign  currency  position  presented  below  is  calculated  in  respect  of  major  currencies  by  items  of 
consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  as  the  difference  between  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities 
denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of each entity at 31 December 2018. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other accounts receivable 
Financial investments 
Trade and other accounts payable 
Borrowings 

Net foreign currency position 

Sensitivity analysis 

US dollar  

Euro 

Hong Kong 
dollar 

Swiss franc 

84 
1 
- 
(56) 
(1,355) 

(1,326) 

480 
536 
99 
(186) 
(562) 

367 

309 
1 
- 
- 
- 

310 

24 
- 
- 
- 
- 

24 

Sensitivity is calculated by multiplying a net foreign currency position of a corresponding currency by percentage of 
currency rates changes. 

A 25 percent strengthening of the following currencies against  the functional currency as at 31 December 2020,  
2019 and 2018 would have increased/(decreased) equity by the amounts shown below, however effect on profit 
for the year would be different, and would amount to $230 loss, $376 loss and $29 loss, respectively, due to foreign 
exchange effects from intercompany operations (Note 19) and applying of hedge accounting. 

US dollar 
Euro 
Hong Kong dollar 
Swiss franc 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

(336) 
(275) 
41 
- 

(418) 
(81) 
39 
- 

(332) 
92 
78 
6 

A 25 percent weakening of these currencies against the functional currency as at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 
would have had  an  equal but opposite effect to the amounts shown above,  provided  all other variables remain 
constant. Income tax was not recalculated on the possible reasonable change in exchange rates for the purpose of 
this sensitivity analysis. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

Commodity price risk 

Commodity price risk is the risk arising from  possible changes in price of raw materials and metal products, and 
their impact on the Group’s future performance and the Group’s operational results. 

The Group minimises its risks related to metal prices by having a wide range of geographical zones for sales, which 
allows the Group to respond quickly to negative changes in the situation on its existing markets on the basis of an 
analysis of the existing and prospective sales markets. 

One  of  the  commodity  price  risk  management  instruments  is  vertical  integration.  A  high  degree  of  vertical 
integration allows cost control and effective management of the entire process of production: from mining of raw 
materials and generation of electric and heat energy to production, processing and distribution of metal products. 

To mitigate the corresponding risks the Group also uses formula pricing tied to price indices for steel products when 
contracting raw and auxiliary materials. 

(c) 

Credit risk 

Credit risk  is the risk  that a  counterparty will not  meet  its obligations under a  financial instrument  or customer 
contract, leading to a financial loss for the Group. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities 
(primarily  for  outstanding  receivables  from  customers)  and  from  its  financing  activities,  including  deposits  with 
banks and financial institutions, and other financial instruments. 

Customer credit risk is managed by each business unit subject to the Group’s established policy, procedures and 
control relating to customer credit risk management. 

The Group controls the levels of credit risk it undertakes by assessing the degree of risk for each counterparty or 
groups of parties. In order to minimise credit risk, management developed and maintains the Group’s credit risk 
grading to categorise exposures according to their degree of risk of default. A default on a financial asset is when 
the counterparty fails to make contractual payments within 30 days of when they fall due.  The Group’s credit risk 
grading framework comprises six categories:  

•  AAA – investments grade which correspond to international agencies ratings from AAA till BB+; 
•  A – low risk non-investments grade which correspond to international agencies ratings BB and BB-; 
•  B – moderate risk non-investments grade which correspond to international agencies ratings B+ and B; 
• 
•  D – critical risk non-investments grade which correspond to international agencies ratings from CCC till D; 
•  NR – not rated category used for related parties or secured debts. 

C – high risk non-investments grade which correspond to international agencies rating B-; 

The credit rating information is based on a range of data that is determined to be predictive of the risk of default 
and applying experienced credit judgement. The nature of the exposure and type of borrower are taken into account 
in the analysis. Credit risk grades are defined using qualitative and quantitative factors that are indicative of risk of 
default.  

The credit risk grades are designed and calibrated to reflect the risk of default as credit risk deteriorates. As the 
credit risk increases the difference in risk of default between grades changes. Each exposure is allocated to a credit 
risk  grade  at  initial  recognition,  based  on  the  available  information  about  the  counterparty.  All  exposures  are 
monitored and the credit risk grade is updated to reflect current information. The monitoring procedures followed 
are both general and tailored to the type of exposure. The following data are typically used to monitor the Group’s 
exposures: 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Payment report, including payment ratios and ageing analysis;  
Extent of utilisation of granted limit;  
Changes in business, financial and economic conditions;  
Credit rating information supplied by external rating agencies.  

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

The  Group  monitors  all  financial  assets,  loans  issued  and  financial  guarantee  contracts  that  are  subject  to  the 
impairment  requirements  to  assess  whether  there  has  been  a  significant  increase  in  credit  risk  since  initial 
recognition. If there has been a significant increase in credit risk the Group will measure the loss allowance based 
on lifetime rather than 12-month estimated credit loss. 

In assessing whether the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition, the 
Group  compares  the  risk  of  a  default  occurring  on  the  financial  instrument  at  the  reporting  date  based  on  the 
remaining maturity of the instrument with the risk of a default occurring that was anticipated for the remaining 
maturity  at  the  current  reporting  date  when  the  financial  instrument  was  first  recognised.  In  making  this 
assessment, the Group considers both quantitative and qualitative information that is reasonable and supportable, 
including historical experience and forward-looking information that is available without undue cost or effort, based 
on the Group’s historical experience and expert credit assessment. 

The Group analyses all data collected using statistical models and estimates the remaining lifetime probability of 
default exposures and how these are expected to change over time. The factors taken into account in this process 
include macro-economic data such as GDP growth, unemployment and interest rates. Multiple economic scenarios 
form the basis of determining the probability of default at initial recognition and at subsequent reporting dates. 
Different  economic scenarios will lead to a  different  probability of default.  It is the weighting of these different 
scenarios that forms the basis of a weighted average probability of default that is used to determine whether credit 
risk has significantly increased. 

Irrespective of the outcome of the above assessment, the Group presumes that the credit risk on a financial asset 
has  increased  significantly  since  initial  recognition  when  contractual  payments  are  more  than  30  days  past  due 
unless the Group has reasonable and supportable information that demonstrates otherwise.  

The Group has monitoring procedures in place to make sure that the criteria used to identify significant increases 
in credit are effective, meaning that significant increase in credit risk is identified before the exposure is defaulted 
or when the asset becomes 30 days past due. The Group performs periodic back-testing of its ratings to consider 
whether the drivers of credit risk that led to default were accurately reflected in the rating in a timely manner. 

The  Group  uses  forward-looking  information  that  is  available  without  undue  cost  or  effort  in  its  assessment  of 
significant increase of credit risk as well as in its measurement of expected credit loss. The Group employs experts 
who use external and internal information to generate a ‘base case’ scenario of future forecast of relevant economic 
variables along with a representative range of other possible forecast scenarios. The base case scenario is the most 
likely outcome. The external information used includes economic data and forecasts published by governmental 
bodies and monetary authorities. The Group applies probabilities to the forecast scenarios identified and calculate 
probability-weighted expected credit loss by running each scenario through the relevant expected credit loss model 
and  multiplying  it  by  the  appropriate  scenario  weighting.  The  Group  has  not  made  changes  in  the  estimation 
techniques or significant assumptions made during the reporting period. 

The Group holds collateral to mitigate credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable by reducing expected 
credit loss in case of default. The main types of collateral are bank  coverage and credit insurance. There was no 
change in the Group’s collateral policy during the year. 

Predicted relationships between the key indicators and default and loss rates on various portfolios of financial assets 
have been developed based on analysing historical data over the past 3 years. 

The  measurement  of  expected  credit  loss  is  based  on  probability  weighted  average  credit  loss.  As  a  result,  the 
measurement of the loss allowance should be the same regardless of whether it is measured on an individual basis 
or a collective basis. In relation to the assessment of whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk it 
can be necessary to perform the assessment on a collective basis. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk by class of assets reflected in the carrying amounts of financial assets 
on the consolidated statement of financial position is as follows: 

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 3) 
Trade and other accounts receivable (Note 6) 
Financial investments (Note 5) 

Total on-balance sheet exposure 

Financial guarantees issued (Note 23(d)) 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

842 
945 
198 

1,985 

283 

2,268 

713 
810 
292 

1,815 

331 

2,146 

1,179 
1,091 
104 

2,374 

309 

2,683 

Credit risk related to investment in the charter capital of NBH is disclosed in Note 4.   

Analysis of trade accounts receivable, net of credit loss allowance, by credit quality, based on internal credit ratings 
is as follows: 

AAA 
A 
B 
C 
D 
NR, including: 

- NBH group companies 
- Credit insurance (AA international agencies’ credit ratings) 
- Bank coverage (A- and above international agencies’ credit 
ratings) 
- Not covered 

As at 
31 December 2020 

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

23 
80 
89 
51 
12 

297 
169 

72 
27 

820 

28 
53 
49 
39 
1 

249 
254 

55 
72 

800 

19 
25 
41 
18 
2 

411 
284 

202 
76 

1,078 

Analysis by credit quality, based on international agencies’ credit rating, of bank balances and bank deposits is as 
follows: 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

Bank balances and term deposits 
AAA-BBB 
BB-B 
Unrated and cash on hand 

Short-term and long-term bank deposits 
AAA-BBB 
BB-B 

835 
5 
2 

842 

148 
2 

150 

706 
5 
2 

713 

157 
- 

157 

1,173 
4 
2 

1,179 

5 
- 

5 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

As at 31 December 2020, ageing of trade and other receivables is as follows: 

Not past due 

Past due, including: 
- up to 1 month 
- from 1 to 3 months 
- from 3 to 12 months 
- over 12 months 

Total 

Trade and other receivables 

Gross amount   

Credit loss 
allowance 

Net of allowance  

919 

34 
3 
4 
21 

981 

(14) 

- 
- 
(2) 
(20) 

(36) 

905 

34 
3 
2 
1 

945 

As at 31 December 2019, ageing of trade and other receivables is as follows: 

Not past due 

Past due, including: 
- up to 1 month 
- from 1 to 3 months 
- from 3 to 12 months 
- over 12 months 

Total 

Trade and other receivables 

Gross amount   

Credit loss 
allowance 

Net of allowance  

773 

42 
6 
5 
25 

851 

(15) 

- 
- 
(1) 
(25) 

(41) 

758 

42 
6 
4 
- 

810 

As at 31 December 2018, ageing of trade and other receivables is as follows: 

Trade and other receivables 

Gross amount   

Credit loss 
allowance 

Net of allowance  

Not past due 

Past due, including: 
- up to 1 month 
- from 1 to 3 months 
- from 3 to 12 months 
- over 12 months 

Total 

995 

93 
6 
8 
27 

1,129 

(10) 

- 
- 
(2) 
(26) 

(38) 

985 

93 
6 
6 
1 

1,091 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

22 

(d) 

Risks and uncertainties (continued) 

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  an  entity  will  encounter  difficulty  in  meeting  obligations  associated  with  financial 
liabilities. The Group is exposed to daily calls on its available cash resources. 

The Group monitors its risk to a shortage of funds using a regular cash flow forecast. The Group’s objective is to 
maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank overdrafts, bank loans, 
debentures, finance leases. To provide for sufficient cash balances required for settlement of its obligations in time 
the Group uses detailed budgeting and cash flow forecasting instruments. 

The  table  below  analyses  the  Group’s  short-term  and  long-term  borrowings  and  leases  by  their  remaining 
corresponding  contractual  maturity.  The  amounts  disclosed  in  the  maturity  table  are  the  undiscounted  cash 
outflows. 

Less than 1 year 
From 1 to 2 years 
From 2 to 5 years 
Over 5 years 

Total borrowings 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

1,134 
662 
1,464 
672 

3,932 

545 
491 
1,432 
708 

3,176 

296 
193 
1,342 
520 

2,351 

Liquidity risk related to investment in the charter capital of NBH and financial guarantees issued, is disclosed in 
Notes 4 and 23(d), respectively. 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Group does not have significant trade and other accounts payable 
with maturity over one year and its carrying amount approximates its fair value. 

(e) 

Insurance 

To minimize risks the Group concludes insurance policies which cover property damages and business interruptions, 
construction  and  erection  all  risks,  freightage,  auto  insurance  and  commercial  (trade)  credits.  In  respect  of 
legislation requirements, the Group purchases compulsory motor third party liability insurance, insurance of civil 
liability of organizations operating hazardous facilities. The Group also buys civil liability insurance of the members 
of self-regulatory organizations, directors and officers liability insurance, voluntary health insurance and accident 
insurance for employees of the Group. 

23 

Related party transactions 

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party, is under common control, 
or can exercise significant influence or joint control over the other party in making financial or operational decisions 
as defined by IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures. In considering each possible related party relationship, attention is 
directed to the substance of the relationship, not merely the legal form.  The Group carries out  operations with 
related parties on an arm’s length basis. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

23 

(a) 

Related party transactions (continued) 

Sales to and purchases from related parties 

Sales 
NBH group companies 
Companies of Freight One Group and other transport 
companies under the common control of beneficial owner 
Other related parties 

Purchases 
Companies of Freight One Group and other transport 
companies under the common control of beneficial owner 
NBH group companies 
Other related parties 

For the year ended 
31 December 2020   

For the year ended 
31 December 2019   

For the year ended 
31 December 2018 

897 

2 
4 

376 
49 
26 

947 

2 
6 

384 
60 
18 

1,330 

2 
1 

410 
65 
5 

NBH  group  companies  together  are  the  major  customer  of  the  Group.  Sales  to  NBH  group  are  performed  by  
the  Russian  flat  products  segment  and  represent  9.7%,  9.0%  and  11.0%  of  the  total  sales  of  the  Group  for  
the years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  

(b) 

Accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties 

Accounts receivable and advances given 
NBH group companies 
Companies of Freight One Group and other transport 
companies under the common control of beneficial owner 

Accounts payable 
NBH group companies 
Companies of Freight One Group and other transport 
companies under the common control of beneficial owner 

(c) 

Financial transactions 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

298 

32 

22 

11 

249 

26 

28 

5 

412 

32 

31 

6 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 loans issued to NBH group companies amounted to $47, $133 and $99 and 
maturing 31 December 2021, 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2020, respectively (Note 5). When issuing loans 
to the foreign companies of the Group and joint ventures, interest rate is determined using information on similar 
external deals subject to the company’s internal credit rating. 

(d) 

Financial guarantees issued 

As at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, guarantees issued by the Group for borrowings received by NBH group 
companies  amounted  to  $283,  $331  and  $309,  respectively,  which  is  the  maximum  potential  amount  of  future 
payments,  payable  on  demand  of  the  guarantee.  No  amount  has  been  accrued  in  these  consolidated  financial 
statements  for  the  Group’s  obligation  under  these  guarantees  as  the  Group  assesses  the  probability  of  cash 
outflows related to these guarantees, as low. 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

23 

Related party transactions (continued) 

The maturity of the guaranteed obligations is as follows: 

Less than 1 year 
From 1 to 2 years 
Over 2 years 

As at 
31 December 2020   

As at 
31 December 2019   

As at 
31 December 2018 

107 
127 
49 

283 

130 
- 
201 

331 

57 
- 
252 

309 

(e) 

Investments transactions 

In September 2018, the Group completed the sale of 2% stake in share capital of NBH to Tubes de Haren et Nimy S.A.,  
a subsidiary of NBH, for a cash consideration of $5, realising a loss of $2 upon the decrease of carrying value of the 
investment of $7. As a result of this transaction, direct ownership of the Group in the share capital of NBH decreased 
to 49.0%. 

24 

(a) 

Commitments and contingencies 

Anti-dumping investigations 

The  Group’s  export  trading  activities  are  subject  from  time  to  time  to  compliance  reviews  by  the  regulatory 
authorities in the importers’ jurisdictions. The Group’s export sales prices were considered by local governments 
within several anti-dumping investigation frameworks. The Group takes steps to address negative effects of the 
current and potential anti-dumping investigations and participates in the settlement efforts coordinated through 
the Russian authorities. No provision arising from any possible agreements and decisions as a result of anti-dumping 
investigations has been made in the consolidated financial statements. 

(b) 

Litigation 

The Group, in the ordinary course of business, is the subject of, or party to, various pending or threatened legal 
actions. The Group management believes that any liability resulting from these legal actions will not significantly 
affect its financial position or results of operations, and no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial 
statements. 

(c) 

Environmental matters 

The enforcement of environmental regulation in the Russian Federation is evolving and the enforcement posture of 
government  authorities  is  continually  being  reconsidered.  The  Group  periodically  evaluates  its  obligations  under 
environmental regulations. As obligations are determined, they are recognised in financial statements immediately. 
Potential liabilities, which might arise as a result of future changes in existing regulations, civil litigation or legislation, 
cannot  be  reasonably  estimated.  In  the  current  enforcement  climate  under  existing  environmental  legislation, 
significant  liabilities  for  management  believes  that  the  Group  has  met  the  Government’s  federal  and  regional 
requirements concerning environmental matters, therefore, there are no environmental damage and remediation. 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

24 

(d) 

Commitments and contingencies (continued) 

Capital commitments 

Management estimates the outstanding agreements in connection with equipment supply and construction works 
amounted to $881, $1,157 and $714 as at 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

(e) 

Social commitments 

The Group makes contributions to mandatory and voluntary social programs. The Group’s social contributions, as 
well  as  local  social  programs,  benefit  the  community  at  large  and  are  not  normally  restricted  to  the  Group’s 
employees. The Group has transferred certain social operations and assets to local authorities, however, the Group 
management expects that the Group will continue to fund certain social programs for the foreseeable future. These 
costs are recorded in the period they are incurred. 

(f) 

Tax contingencies 

Management believes that the tax policy of the Group complies with the legislation of the Russian Federation on 
taxes and related fees. 

At the same time, the legislation on taxes and related fees in the Russian Federation is characterised by dynamic 
development, as well as the possibility of wide discretion by the tax administration on many issues of taxation, 
which can lead to different interpretations of individual legal norms by taxpayers and regulatory authorities. 

Therefore, the risk of expenses cannot be excluded if the tax policy applied by the Group is contested in any part. 
As  a  general  rule,  risk  may  arise  in  respect  of  three  calendar  years  preceding  the  year  in  which  the  decision  to 
conduct the review is made. The amount and probability of risk cannot be estimated with a sufficient degree of 
reliability, however, they may turn out  to be significant  from the point  of view of the financial situation and/or 
economic activity of the Group as a whole. 

(g) 

Major terms of loan agreements 

Certain of the loan agreements contain covenants that impose restrictions on the purposes for which the loans may 
be utilised, covenants with respect to disposal of assets, incurrence of additional liabilities, issuance of loans or 
guarantees, obligations in respect of any future reorganisations procedures or bankruptcy of the borrowers, and 
also require that the borrowers maintain pledged assets to their current value and conditions. In addition, these 
agreements  contain  covenants  with  respect  to  compliance  with  certain  financial  ratios,  clauses  in  relation  to 
performance  of  the  borrowers,  including  cross-default  provisions,  as  well  as  to  legal  claims  in  excess  of  certain 
amount, where reasonable expectations of a negative outcome exist, and covenants triggered by any failure of the 
borrower to fulfill contractual obligations. The Group companies were in compliance with all debt covenants as at 
31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018. 

(h) 

Assessment of the coronavirus impact on the Group 

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on business activity, that initially led to weakening of demand 
for steel in traditional sales markets and a temporary drop in steel product prices which however started to recover 
gradually in second half 2020. In order to keep capacity utilization rates high the Group made changes to regional 
sales  structure  and  diversified  product  mix.  Production  and  supply  chains  of  the  Group  were  not  significantly 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

At the date of issuing these consolidated financial statements the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection 
(COVID-19) is still evolving. The Group benefits from a strong financial position, with low leverage and significant 
liquidity. As at 31 December 2020 the Group has liquid resources of $991 comprising cash and cash equivalents as 
well as a committed and unutilised credit facilities amounting to $1,715 which significantly exceeds repayment of 
borrowings in 2021 disclosed in Note 22 (d).  

The  Group  management  made  an  analysis  of  impairment  indicators  of  the  Group’s  assets  considering  impact  of 
macroeconomic  situation  and  impairment  testing  for  some  of  the  Group  cash  generating  units  (Note  8).  No 
significant  increase  of  expected  credit  losses  or  cases  of  significant  debtor  defaults  have  been  identified. 
Management closely monitors the development of the situation and takes necessary measures to mitigate negative 
effects.  

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies 

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out 
below. The Group from one reporting period to another has consistently applied these accounting policies. 

(a) 

Basis of consolidation 

Subsidiaries 

Subsidiaries are those entities that the Group controls because the Group has (a) power over the investees (that is, 
it can direct relevant  activities of the investees that significantly affect their returns); (b) exposure, or rights, to 
variable returns from its involvement with the investees; and (c) the ability to use its power over the investees to 
affect the amount of investor returns. 

Subsidiaries are consolidated when the Group obtains control over an investee and terminates when the Group 
ceases to have control over the investee. 

Non-controlling interest is that part of the net results and of the equity of a subsidiary attributable to interests, 
which are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the Group. Non-controlling interest forms a separate component of 
the Parent Company’s equity. 

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries other than those acquired 
from parties under common control. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities  assumed 
in a business combination are measured at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any 
non-controlling interest. 

The Group measures non-controlling interest that represents present ownership interest and entitles the holder to 
a proportionate share of net assets in the event of liquidation on a transaction-by-transaction basis, either at: (a) 
fair value, or (b) the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of net assets of the acquiree. 

Goodwill  is  measured  by  deducting  the  net  assets  of  an  acquiree  from  the  aggregate  of:  the  consideration 
transferred for the acquiree, the amount of non-controlling interest in the acquiree, and the fair value of an interest 
in  the  acquiree  held  immediately  before  the  acquisition  date.  Any  negative  amount  (“negative  goodwill”)  is 
recognised  in  profit  or  loss,  after  management  reassesses  whether  it  identified  all  the  assets  acquired  and  all 
liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed, and reviews the appropriateness of their measurement. 

Consideration transferred for an acquiree is measured at the fair value of the assets given up, equity instruments 
issued  and  liabilities  incurred  or  assumed,  including  the  fair  value  of  assets  or  liabilities  from  contingent 
consideration arrangements, but excludes acquisition-related costs such as fees for advisory, legal, valuation and 
similar professional services. Transaction costs related to an acquisition and incurred for issuing equity instruments 
are deducted from equity; transaction costs incurred for issuing debt as part of a business combination are deducted 
from the carrying amount of the debt and all other transaction costs associated with the acquisition are expensed. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

All intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between the Group companies are 
eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated, unless the cost cannot be recovered. The Parent Company and all 
of its subsidiaries use uniform accounting policies consistent with the Group’s policies. 

Joint ventures 

Joint ventures are entities over which the Group has joint control over financial or operating policies. Joint control 
is the contractually agreed sharing of control, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require 
the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. 

Investments in joint ventures are initially recognised at cost (fair value of the consideration transferred). The Group 
uses the equity method of accounting to subsequent measurement for an investment in joint ventures.  

Dividends received from joint ventures reduce the carrying value of the investment in joint ventures. The Group’s 
share of profits or losses of joint ventures after acquisition is recorded in the consolidated statement of profit or 
loss  for  the  year  as  share  of  financial  result  of  joint  ventures.  The  Group’s  share  in  the  change  of  other 
comprehensive income after the acquisition is recorded within other comprehensive income as a separate line item. 
All other changes in the Group’s share of the carrying amount of net assets of the joint ventures are recognised in 
profit or loss within the share of financial results of the joint ventures, or consolidated statement of changes in 
equity depending on the substance of the change. 

However, when the Group’s share of losses in  a joint venture equals or exceeds its interest in the joint venture, 
including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless this is required by 
law or it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture. 

Unrealised  gains  on  transactions  between  the  Group  and  its  joint  ventures  are  eliminated  to  the  extent  of  the 
Group’s  interest  in  these  entities.  Unrealised  losses  arising  from  transactions  between  the  Group  and  its  joint 
ventures are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. 

In  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position,  the  Group’s  share  in  the  joint  venture  is  presented  at  the 
carrying amount inclusive of goodwill at the acquisition date and the Group’s share of post-acquisition profits and 
losses net of impairment loss. 

In the consolidated statement of profit or loss the amount of impairment of investments in joint ventures is included 
in the line “Share of results of joint ventures and impairment of investments in joint ventures”. 

Disposals of subsidiaries and joint ventures 

When the Group ceases to have control or significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is re-measured 
to its fair value as at the date of ceasing control or significant influence, with the change in the carrying amount 
recognised in profit or loss. The fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting 
for the retained interest as  a joint venture, or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in 
other comprehensive income, in respect of that entity, are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of 
the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income 
are recycled to profit or loss. 

At the date when the Group’s control ceases, it de-recognises the assets and liabilities of the former subsidiary from 
the consolidated statement of financial position and recognises profit or loss connected with the loss of control 
attributable to the former controlling stake. 

If the ownership interest in a joint venture is reduced but joint control is retained, only a proportionate share of the 
amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss where appropriate. 

(b) 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash balances in hand, cash on current accounts with banks, bank deposits and 
other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

(c) 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Value added tax (VAT) 

Output value added tax arising upon the sale of goods (performance of work, provision of services) is payable to 
the tax authorities on the earlier of: (a) collection of receivables from customers; or (b) delivery of goods (work, 
services) or property rights to customers. VAT is excluded from revenue. 

Input VAT on goods and services purchased (received) is generally recoverable against output VAT upon receipt of 
the VAT invoice. VAT related to sales / purchases and services provision / receipt payments to the budget which has 
not  been  settled  with  at  the  balance  sheet  date  (deferred  VAT)  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  statement  of 
financial position on a gross basis and disclosed separately within current assets and current liabilities. 

Where provision has been made for impairment of receivables, an impairment loss is recorded for the gross amount 
of the debt, including VAT. 

(d) 

Inventories 

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost and net realisable value (the estimated selling price in the ordinary 
course of business, less the estimated cost of completion and selling expenses). 

Inventories include raw materials designated for use in the production process, finished goods, work in progress 
and goods for resale. 

Release to production or any other write-down of inventories is carried at the weighted average cost. 

The  cost  of  finished  goods  and  work  in  progress  comprises  raw  materials,  direct  labour,  other  direct  costs  and 
related production overheads (based on normal operating capacity). 

Other costs are included in the cost of inventories only to the extent they were incurred to provide for the current 
location and condition of inventories. 

When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of those inventories shall be recognised as an expense in the period 
in which the related revenue is recognised. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realisable value 
and all losses of inventories, including obsolete inventories written down, shall be recognised as an expense in the 
period in which the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories, arising 
from an increase in net realisable value, shall be recognised as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognised 
as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs. 

(e) 

Property, plant and equipment (PP&E) 

Measurement at recognition 

Property, plant and equipment are initially stated at cost (historical cost model). The PP&E cost includes: 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

its  purchase  price,  including  import  duties  and  non-refundable  purchase  taxes,  after  deducting  trade 
discounts and rebates; 

costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable 
of operating in the manner intended by the relevant entity’s management; 

the initial estimate of the cost of subsequent dismantling and removal of a fixed asset, and restoring the 
site on which it was located, the obligation for which the relevant entity incurs either when the item is 
acquired or as a consequence of having used the item during a specific period for purposes other than to 
produce inventories during that period. 

The value of property, plant and equipment built using an entity’s own resources includes the cost of materials and 
labour, and the relevant portion of production overhead costs directly attributable to the construction of the PP&E. 

Borrowing  costs  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition,  construction  or  production  of  an  asset  which  takes  a 
substantial period of time to prepare for use or sale are included in the cost of this asset. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Recognition of costs in the carrying amount of a property, plant and equipment item ceases when the item is in the 
location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management of the 
relevant entity. 

Subsequent measurement 

Property, plant and equipment items are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and recognised impairment 
losses. 

Subsequent expenditures 

The costs of minor repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. The costs of regular replacement of large 
components of property, plant and equipment items are recognised in the carrying amount of the relevant asset 
when incurred subject to recognition criteria. The carrying amount of the parts being replaced is de-recognised. 

When a large-scale technical inspection is conducted, related costs are recognised in the carrying amount of a fixed 
asset  as  replacement  of  previous  technical  inspection  subject  to  recognition  criteria.  Any  costs  related  to  the 
previous technical inspection that remain in the carrying value shall be de-recognised. 

Other subsequent expenditures are capitalised only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in 
these assets. 

All other expenses are treated as costs in the consolidated statement of profit or loss in the reporting period as 
incurred. 

Property,  plant  and  equipment  line  of  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  also  includes  capital 
construction and machinery, and equipment to be installed. 

If  PP&E  items  include  major  units  with  different  useful  lives,  then  each  individual  unit  of  the  related  asset  is 
accounted for separately. 

Borrowing costs 

Borrowing costs are capitalised from the date of capitalisation and up to the date when the assets are substantially 
ready for utilisation or sale. 

The commencement date for capitalisation is when the Group (a) incurs expenditures for the qualifying asset; (b) 
incurs borrowing costs; and (c) undertakes activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use or 
sale. 

When  funds  borrowed  for  common  purposes  are  used  to  purchase  an  asset,  capitalised  borrowing  costs  are 
determined through multiplying the capitalisation rate by expenses related to the asset. 

Interest payments capitalised under IAS 23 are classified in consolidated statement of cash flows in a manner that 
is consistent with the classification of the underlying asset on which the interest is capitalised. 

All other borrowing costs are attributed to expenses in the reporting period when incurred and recorded in the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss in the “Finance costs” line. 

Mineral rights 

Exploration and evaluation assets are carried at original cost and classified consistently within tangible or intangible 
assets depending on their nature. Mineral rights acquired as a result of a business combination are measured at fair 
value at the acquisition date. Other mineral rights and licenses are recorded at cost. Mineral rights are amortised 
using the straight-line basis over the license term given approximately even production output during the license 
period. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Right-of-use assets 

The Group leases various land, buildings, equipment and transport. Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease 
components. The Group allocates the consideration in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based 
on their relative stand-alone prices. 

Assets arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis and accounted within Property, plant and 
equipment.  

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following: 

• 
• 
• 
• 

the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability, 
any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received, 
any initial direct costs, and 
costs to restore the asset to the conditions required by lease agreements.  

Depreciation 

Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the individual assets 
through an even write-down of historical cost to their net book value. Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the 
shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. If the Group is reasonably certain to 
exercise  a  purchase  option,  the  right-of-use  asset  is  depreciated  over  the  underlying  assets’  useful  lives. 
Depreciation commences from the time an asset is available for use, i.e. when the location and condition provide 
for its operation in line with the Group management’s intentions. 

Depreciation is not charged on assets to be disposed of and on land. In some cases, the land itself may have a limited 
useful life, in which case it is depreciated in a manner that reflects the consumption of benefits to be derived from 
it. 

The range of estimated useful lives of different asset categories is as follows: 

Buildings and land and buildings improvements 
Machinery and equipment 
Vehicles 

10 – 70 years 
2 – 30 years 
5 – 25 years 

The residual value of an asset is the estimated amount that the Group would currently obtain from disposal of the 
asset less the estimated costs of disposal if the asset was already of the age and in the condition expected at the 
end of its useful life. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the 
end of each reporting period. 

If the cost of land includes the costs of site dismantlement, removal of PP&E items and restoration expenses, that 
portion of the land asset is depreciated over the period of consumption of benefits obtained by incurring those 
costs. 

Impairment of PP&E is outlined in section (h) “Impairment of non-current assets”. 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

(f) Leases 

Applicable for the reporting periods starting 1 January 2019 

Liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present 
value of the following lease payments: 

• 
• 

fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable, 
variable lease payment that are based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as 
at the commencement date, 

•  amounts expected to be payable by the Group under residual value guarantees, 
• 
the exercise price of a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and 
•  payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.  

Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the Group. 
These  terms  are  used  to  maximise  operational  flexibility  in  terms  of  managing  the  assets  used  in  the  Group’s 
operations. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by 
the respective lessor. Extension options (or period after termination options) are only included in the lease term if 
the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). Lease payments to be made under reasonably 
certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability. 

The  lease  payments  are  discounted  using  the  interest  rate  implicit  in  the  lease.  If  that  rate  cannot  be  readily 
determined, which is generally the case for leases of the Group, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate is used, 
being the rate that the Group would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value 
to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, collateral and conditions. 

To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Group: 

•  where  possible,  uses  recent  third-party  financing  received  by  the  individual  lessee  as  a  starting  point, 

adjusted to reflect changes in financing conditions since third party financing was received, 
•  uses a build-up approach that starts with a risk-free interest rate adjusted for credit risk, and 
•  makes adjustments specific to the lease, e.g. term, country, currency and collateral. 

The Group is exposed to potential future increases in variable lease payments based on an index or rate, which are 
not included in the lease liability until they take effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or 
rate take effect, the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the right-of-use asset. 

Lease payments are allocated between principal and finance costs. The finance costs are charged to profit or loss 
over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability 
for each period. 

Applicable for the reporting periods earlier 1 January 2019 

Leasing transactions are classified according to the relevant lease agreements, which specify the risks and rewards 
associated with the leased property and distributed between the lessor and lessee. Lease agreements are classified 
as financial leases or operating leases. 

In  a  financial  lease,  the  Group  receives  the  major  portion  of  economic  benefits  and  risks  associated  with  the 
ownership of the asset. At the commencement of the lease term, the leased asset is recognised in the consolidated 
statement of financial position at the lower of fair value or discounted value of future minimum lease payments. 
The  corresponding  rental  obligations  are  included  in  borrowings.  Interest  expenses  within  lease  payments  are 
charged to profit or loss over the lease term using the effective interest method. 

Accounting policies for depreciation of leased assets are consistent with the accounting policies applicable to owned 
depreciable assets. 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not imply transferring the major portion of risks and rewards 
associated with the ownership of the asset. Payments made under operating leases are recorded as an expense on 
a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

(g) 

Goodwill and intangible assets 

Goodwill is the difference between: 

• 

• 

the comprehensive fair value of the consideration transferred on the acquisition date and non-controlling 
interest,  and,  where  the  entity  is  acquired  in  instalments,  the  acquisition  date  fair  value  of  the  non-
controlling interest previously held by the buyer in the acquired entity; and 
the share of net fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 

The excess of the share of net fair value of identifiable assets bought and obligations assumed by the Group over 
the consideration transferred and the fair value of non-controlling interest at the acquisition date previously owned 
by the buyer in the acquired entity, represents income from a profitable acquisition. Income is recognised in the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss at the acquisition date. 

Goodwill on joint ventures is included in the carrying amount of investments in these entities. 

When  interest  in  the  previously  acquired  entity  increases  (within  non-controlling  interest)  goodwill  is  not 
recognised. The difference between the acquired share of net assets and consideration transferred is recognised in 
equity. 

Goodwill is measured at historical cost and subsequently stated less accumulated impairment losses. 

Impairment of goodwill 

The goodwill is not amortised but tested for impairment at least annually and whenever there are indications that 
goodwill may be impaired. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-
generating units (“CGUs”) that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. The evaluation of 
impairment for cash-generating units, among which goodwill was distributed, is performed once a year or more 
often, when there are indicators of impairment of such CGUs. 

If the recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated 
first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to any other assets of the CGU 
pro-rata to the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed 
in subsequent periods. 

Disposal of goodwill 

If goodwill is a part of the cash-generating unit, and a part of the unit is disposed of, the goodwill pertaining to that 
part of disposed operations is included in the carrying amount of that operation when profit or loss on its disposal 
is determined. In such circumstances, the goodwill disposed of is generally measured on the basis of the relative 
values of the operation disposed of and the portion of the cash-generating unit which is retained. 

Intangible assets 

Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. 

The cost of a separately acquired intangible asset comprises: 

• 
• 

its purchase price, including non-refundable purchase taxes, after deducting trade discounts and rebates; 
directly attributable cost of preparing the asset for its intended use. 

If an intangible asset is acquired as a result of a business combination, the cost of the intangible asset equals its fair 
value at the acquisition date. 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

If payment for an intangible asset is deferred beyond normal credit terms, its cost is the cash price equivalent. The 
difference between this amount and the total payments is recognised as interest expense over the entire period of 
credit unless it is capitalised in accordance with IAS 23, “Borrowing Costs”. 

If an intangible asset is an integral part of a fixed asset to which it belongs, then it is recorded as part of that asset. 

After  the  initial  recognition  of  intangibles,  they  are  carried  at  cost  less  sum  of  accumulated  amortisation  and 
accumulated impairment loss. If impaired, the carrying amount of intangible assets is written down to the higher of 
value in use and fair value less costs to sell. 

Amortisation 

Intangible assets with a definite useful life are amortised using the straight-line method over the shorter of: the 
useful life or legal rights thereto. 

The range of estimated useful lives of different asset categories is as follows: 

•  Mineral rights 
• 

Industrial intellectual property 

(h) 

Impairment of non-current assets 

20-36 years 
1-10 years 

At each reporting date, the Group determines if there are any objective indications of potential impairment of an 
individual asset or group of assets. 

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment  at least  once a  year  and  if their carrying 
amount impairment indicators are identified. 

Recoverable value measurement 

If  any  such  impairment  indicators  exist,  then  the  asset’s  recoverable  amount  is  estimated.  In  the  event  of 
impairment, the value of the asset is written down to its recoverable value, which represents the higher of: the fair 
value less costs to sell or the value in use. 

Fair value less costs to sell is the amount obtainable from the sale of an asset or payable on the transfer of a liability 
at the evaluation date, in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, less any direct costs 
related to the sale or transfer. 

Value in use is the present value of estimated future cash flows from expected continuous use of an asset and its 
disposal at the end of its useful life. 

In assessing value-in-use, the anticipated future cash proceeds are discounted to their current value using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. 

For  the  purposes  of  assessing  impairment,  assets  are  grouped  at  the  lowest  levels  for  which  there  are  largely 
independent cash inflows (cash-generating units), which in most cases are determined as individual subsidiaries of 
the Group. Estimated cash flows are adjusted in line with the risk of specific conditions at sites and discounted at 
the rate based on the weighted average cost of capital. With regard to assets that do not generate cash regardless 
of cash flows generated by other assets, the recoverable amounts are based on the cash-generating unit to which 
such assets relate. 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Impairment loss 

The  asset’s  carrying  amount  is  written  down  to  its  estimated  recoverable  value,  and  loss  is  included  in  the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss for the period. Impairment loss is reversed if there are indications that the 
assets’  impairment  losses  (other  than  goodwill)  recognised  in  previous  periods  no  longer  exist  or  have  been 
reduced, and if any consequent increase in the recoverable value can be objectively linked to the event that took 
place after the impairment loss recognition. Impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the carrying amount 
of  an  asset  does  not  exceed  its  carrying  amount  that  would  be  established  (less  amortisation)  if  the  asset 
impairment  loss  had  not  been  recognised.  An  impairment  loss  is  reversed  for  the  relevant  asset  immediately 
through consolidated statement of profit or loss. 

(i) 

Provisions for liabilities and charges 

Provisions for liabilities and charges are accrued when the Group: 

• 
• 

• 

has present obligations (legal or constructive) as a result of past events; 
it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle such an 
obligation; 
a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. 

The amount recognised as a provision shall be the best estimate of the expenses required to settle the present 
obligation  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period.  Where  the  impact  of  the  time  factor  on  the  value  of  money  is 
significant,  the  provision  should  equal  the  present  value  of  the  expected  cost  of  settling  the  liability  using  the 
discount rate before taxes. Any increase in the carrying amount of the provision is recorded in the consolidated 
statement of profit or loss as finance costs. 

The  nature  and  estimated  value  of  contingent  liabilities  and  assets  (including  court  proceedings,  environmental 
costs,  etc.)  are  disclosed  in  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  where  the  probability  of  economic 
benefits outflow is insignificant. 

The creation and release of provision for impaired receivables have been included in impairment losses on financial 
assets in the  consolidated statement  of profit or loss.  Amounts charged to the allowance account  are  generally 
written off, when there is no legal right to recover cash. 

(j) 

Income taxes 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. The current and deferred taxes are recognised in profit or 
loss for the period, except for the portion thereof that arises from a business combination or transactions or events 
that are recognised directly within equity. 

Current tax  

Current  tax  liabilities  are  measured  in  the  amount  expected  to  be  paid  to  (recovered  from)  the  tax  authorities, 
applying the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting 
period. 

Deferred tax 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for the differences between the carrying amount of an asset or 
liability in the consolidated statement of financial position and their tax base.  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

• 
• 

Deferred tax is not recognised if temporary differences: 
arise at the goodwill initial recognition; 
arise at the initial recognition (except for business combination) of assets and liabilities that do not impact 
taxable or accounting profits; 
are  associated  with  investments  in  subsidiaries  where  the  Group  controls  the  timing  of  the  reversal  of 
these temporary differences, and it is probable that the temporary differences will not be utilised in the 
foreseeable future. 

• 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities shall be measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when 
the  asset  is  realised  or  the  liability  is  settled,  based  on  tax  rates  (and  tax  laws)  that  have  been  enacted  or 
substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. 

Estimation of deferred tax assets and liabilities reflects tax implications that would arise depending on the method 
to be used at the end of the reporting period to recover or settle carrying value of these assets or liabilities. 

Deferred tax assets are recognised in respect of the carry forward of unused tax losses and unused tax credits to 
the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses and 
unused tax credits may be utilised. 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is subject to revision at the end of each reporting period and is decreased 
to the extent of reduced probability of receiving sufficient taxable income to benefit from utilising the deferred tax 
assets partially or in full. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legal right for the offset of current tax assets and liabilities, 
and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority or on the same taxpayer; and the Group 
intends to either settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

Uncertain tax positions 

The Group’s uncertain tax positions are reassessed by management at the end of each reporting period. Liabilities 
are recorded for income tax  positions that  are determined by management  as more likely  than not  to result in 
additional taxes being levied if the positions were to be challenged by the tax authorities. The assessment is based 
on  the  interpretation  of  tax  laws  that  have  been  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  by  the  end  of  the  reporting 
period, and any known court or other rulings on such issues. Liabilities for penalties, interest and taxes other than 
on  income  are  recognised  based  on  management’s  best  estimate  of  the  expenditure  required  to  settle  the 
obligations at the end of the reporting period. 

(k) 

Dividends payable 

Dividends  are  recorded  as  a  liability  and  deducted  from  equity  in  the  period  in  which  they  are  declared  and 
approved. Any dividends declared after the reporting date and before the consolidated financial statements have 
been authorised for issue are disclosed in the subsequent events note. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

(l) 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Revenue recognition 

Revenue from sales of goods and provision of services 

Revenue is recognised at a transaction price that represents an amount that reflects the consideration to which the 
Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. Revenue from sale of goods and 
services  is  recognised  when  a  performance  obligation  is  satisfied,  i.e. when  control  over  the  goods  or  services 
underlying the particular performance obligation is transferred to the customer. If the Group agrees to transport 
goods to a specified location (typically under contracts based on certain Incoterms types), revenue is split into two 
performance obligations – sale of goods and rendering of transportation services. Revenue from sale of goods is 
recognised at a point of time, when control over the goods is transferred to the customer, normally when the goods 
are shipped and the risks, rewards and legal title are passed. Revenue from rendering of transportation services is 
recognised over time as the transportation service is provided to the customer. This is determined based on the 
actual  days  of  transportation  relative  to  the  average  expected  days  of  transportation.  The  transaction  price  is 
allocated to the rendering of transportation services on an average transportation price per ton basis. Costs related 
to the rendering of transportation services are included in selling expenses. 

Revenue is recorded net of discounts, provisions, value added tax and export duties, and refunds, and after excluding 
intra-group sales turnover.  

No element of financing is deemed present as the sales are made with an average credit term of 60 days, which is 
consistent with market practice.  

Interest income 

Interest income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest method.  

Dividend income 

Dividend income on investments is recognised when the Group becomes entitled to receive the payment.  

(m) 

Segment information 

The Group provides separate disclosures on each operating segment that meets the criteria outlined in paragraph 
11 of IFRS 8, “Operating Segments”. 

The Group’s organisation comprises six reportable segments: 

• 

• 

• 

the  Mining  segment,  which  comprises  mining,  processing  and  sales  of  iron  ore,  fluxing  limestone  and 
metallurgical dolomite, and supplies raw materials to the steel segment and third parties; 
the Russian flat products segment, comprising production and sales of steel products and coke, primarily 
pig iron, steel slabs, hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, galvanised cold rolled sheet and cold rolled sheet 
with polymeric coatings and also electro-technical steel; 
the Russian long products segment, comprising a number of steel-production facilities combined in a single 
production system beginning from scrap iron collection and recycling to steel-making, production of long 
products, reinforcing rebar and metalware; 

•  NLMK USA, comprising production and sales of steel products in the United States; 
•  NLMK DanSteel and Plates Distribution Network, comprising production and sales of plates in Europe and 

• 

other regions of the world; 
Investments in NBH, comprising production of hot rolled, cold rolled coils and galvanised and pre-pained 
steel, and also production of a wide range of plates as well as a number of steel service centers located in 
the European Union. 

The accounting policies of each segment consist with the principles outlined in significant accounting policies.  

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

(n) 

Financial instruments 

Financial assets 

The Group’s financial assets include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable and short-term 
financial instruments which are measured at amortised cost. 

Debt instruments have the following categories based on the business model for managing the financial assets and 
whether the contractual cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest:  

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

debt instruments the payments on which represent solely payments of principal and interest and that are 
intended to collect payments are classified as those to be measured subsequently at amortised cost; 

debt instruments the payments on which represent solely payments of principal and interest and that are 
held in a portfolio where an entity both holds to collect assets’ cash flows and sells assets are classified as 
those to be measured subsequently at fair value through other comprehensive income; and  

other financial assets are measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss. 

The Group does not have equity financial instruments. 

To assess the expected credit  loss on financial assets measured subsequently at amortised cost  the Group uses  
the  expected  credit 
is  based  on  
the change in credit quality of financial assets since initial recognition. The Group assesses expected credit losses 
using lifetime expected credit losses for cash and cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable and short-
term financial investments since their terms are less than 12 months. 

‘three  stage’  approach  which 

in  accordance  with  a 

losses  model 

Initial recognition of financial assets 

Financial investments  measured subsequently  at  fair  value are initially  recorded at fair  value. All other financial 
assets are initially recorded at fair value plus transaction costs.  

All purchases and sales of financial assets that require delivery within the time frame established by regulation or 
market convention (“regular way” purchases and sales) are recorded at the trade date, which is the date when the 
Group commits to buy or sell a financial asset. 

Write-off  

Financial assets are written-off, in whole or in part, when the Group exhausted all practical recovery efforts and has 
concluded that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. The write-off represents a de-recognition event. 
Indicators that there is no reasonable expectation of recovery include expiration of statute of limitation. 

De-recognition 

The Group de-recognises financial assets when (a) the assets are redeemed or the rights to cash flows from the 
assets otherwise expire or (b) the Group has transferred the rights to the cash flows from the financial assets or 
entered into a qualifying pass-through arrangement while (i) also transferring substantially all risks and rewards of 
ownership of the assets, or (ii) neither transferring nor retaining substantially all risks and rewards of ownership but 
not retaining control in respect of these assets. 

Control of an asset is retained if the counterparty does not have the practical ability to sell the asset in its entirety 
to  an  unrelated  third  party  without  needing  to  impose  additional  restrictions  on  the  sale.  If  the  Group  neither 
transfers nor retains substantially  all risks and rewards of ownership of the asset, but retains control over such 
transferred asset, the Group continues recognition of its share in this asset and the related obligation in the amount 
of the anticipated consideration.  

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Novolipetsk Steel 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

Modification  

The Group sometimes renegotiates or otherwise modifies the contractual terms of the financial assets. The Group 
assesses whether the modification of contractual cash flows is substantial considering, among other, the following 
factors: any new contractual terms that substantially affect the risk profile of the asset, significant change in interest 
rate, change in the currency denomination, new collateral or credit enhancement that significantly affects the credit 
risk associated with the asset or a significant extension of a loan when the borrower is not in financial difficulties. 

If the modified terms are substantially different, the rights to cash flows from the original asset expire and the Group 
derecognises the original financial asset and recognises a new asset at its fair value. The date of renegotiation is 
considered  to  be  the  date  of  initial  recognition  for  subsequent  impairment  calculation  purposes,  including 
determining whether a significant increase in credit risk has occurred. Any difference between the carrying amount 
of the original asset derecognised and fair value of the new substantially modified asset is recognised in profit or 
loss, unless the substance of the difference is attributed to a capital transaction with owners. 

In a situation where the renegotiation was driven by financial difficulties of the counterparty and inability to make 
the originally agreed payments, the Group compares the original and revised expected cash flows to assets whether 
the risks and rewards of the asset are substantially different as a result of the contractual modification. If the risks 
and  rewards  do  not  change,  the  modified  asset  is  not  substantially  different  from  the  original  asset  and  the 
modification does not result in derecognition. The Group recalculates the gross carrying amount by discounting the 
modified contractual cash flows by the original effective interest rate (or credit-adjusted effective interest rate for 
purchased or originated credit impaired financial assets), and recognises a modification gain or loss in profit or loss.  

Financial liabilities 

The  Group’s  financial  liabilities  include  trade  and  other  payables,  bank  overdrafts,  borrowings  and  financial 
guarantee agreements. 

Financial liabilities are respectively classified as: 

▪ 

▪ 

financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss;  

borrowings and loans. 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trade and financial liabilities 
designated initially at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trade if acquired 
for the purpose of selling in the short term. Income and expense on liabilities held for trade are recognised in the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss, except for the change of the fair value attributable to the change of own 
credit risk, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. 

Borrowings 

After  initial  recognition,  interest-bearing  borrowings  are  carried  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest 
method. Gains and losses on such financial liabilities are recognised in  consolidated statements of  profit or loss 
upon their de-recognition and also as amortisation accrued using the effective interest method. 

Initial recognition of financial liabilities 

All financial liabilities are initially recorded at fair value less transaction costs incurred (except for financial liabilities 
at fair value through the consolidated statements of profit or loss). 

De-recognition 

A financial liability is de-recognised from the consolidated statement of financial position if it was settled, cancelled 
or expired. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

25 

Significant accounting policies (continued) 

If the existing financial liability is replaced by another liability to the same creditor, on terms that significantly differ 
from  the  previous  terms,  or  the  terms  of  the  existing  liability  significantly  differ  from  the  previous  terms,  such 
replacement or change is recorded as de-recognition of the initial liability and recognition of a new liability, and the 
difference in their carrying amount is recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss. 

Financial guarantee agreements 

Financial guarantee contracts are recognised as a financial liability at the time the guarantee is issued. The liability 
is initially measured at fair value and subsequently at the higher of: 

• 

• 

the  amount  determined 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments; or 
the amount  initially  recognized, where applicable, less the cumulative amount  of income recognised in 
accordance with the principles of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. 

in  accordance  with 

loss  model  under  

the  expected 

credit 

The  fair  value  of  financial  guarantees  is  determined  based  on  the  present  value  of  the  difference  in  cash  flows 
between the contractual payments required under the debt instrument and the payments that would be required 
without the guarantee, or the estimated amount that would be payable to a third party for assuming the obligations 
by  the  third  party.  Where  guarantees  in  relation  to  loans  or  other  payables  of  associates  are  provided  for  no 
compensation,  the  fair  values  are  accounted  for  as  contributions  and  recognised  as  part  of  the  cost  of  the 
investment. 

Cash flow hedge accounting 

At  inception  of  the  hedge  relationship,  the  Group  documents  its  objective  and  strategy,  identifies  the  hedging 
instrument  and  the  hedged  item,  the  nature  of  the  hedged  risk  and  method  for  evaluation  whether  the  hedge 
relationship meets the hedge effectiveness requirements.  
The hedge relationship meets all of the hedge effectiveness requirements when: 

• 
• 
• 

an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and the hedging instrument; 
the effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes;  
the hedge ratio reflects the ratio between the quantity of the hedged item and the quantity of the hedging 
instrument. 

The Group applies cash flow hedge accounting, the hedge objective is to protect the cash flows from exchange rate 
exposure by hedging the expected highly probable US dollars nominated revenue with the portion of US dollars 
nominated borrowings. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument (i.e. that portion which is compensated 
by the change in the hedge reserve of cash flows) is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated 
in hedge reserve of cash flows in equity. 
The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of profit 
or loss in separate line “Hedging result”.  
The amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when payments on bonds and 
bonds’ coupons occur. 

The Group should revoke the hedge accounting prospectively when the hedge relationship (or part of the hedge 
relationship) no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting. This requirement is also applied when the hedging 
instrument is expired or is sold, terminated, or exercised. 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

26 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  as  well  as  disclosures  to  this  consolidated  financial 
statements. Management also makes certain judgements in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. 
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated based on historical experience and other factors, including 
forecasts and expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual 
results may differ from these estimates, and management’s estimates can be revised in the future, either positively 
or negatively, based on the facts surrounding each estimate.  

Judgments  that  have  the  most  significant  effect  on  the  amounts  recognised  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, and estimates that can cause a significant adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
within the next financial year are reported below. 

(a) 

Tax legislation and potential tax gains and losses 

The Group’s potential tax gains and losses are reassessed by management at every reporting date. Liabilities which 
are recorded for income tax positions are determined by management based on the interpretation of current tax 
laws. Liabilities for penalties, fines and taxes other than on income are recognised based on management’s best 
estimate of the expenditure required to settle tax liabilities at the reporting date (Note 24). 

The recognised deferred tax assets represent income taxes recoverable through future deductions from taxable 
profits and are recorded in the statement of financial position (Note 17). Deferred income tax assets are recorded 
to the extent that realisation of the related tax benefit is probable. This includes temporary difference expected to 
reverse in the  future and the availability of sufficient  future taxable profit against  which the deductions can be 
utilised. The future taxable profits and the amount of tax benefits that are probable in the future are based on the 
medium term business plan  prepared by management  and extrapolated results thereafter. The business plan is 
based on management expectations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

(b) 

Estimation of useful lives of property, plant and equipment 

The estimation of the useful life of an item of property, plant and equipment is a matter of management judgement 
based upon experience with similar assets. In determining the useful life of an asset, management considers the 
expected usage based on production volumes, inventories, technical obsolescence rates, physical wear and tear 
and the physical environment in which the asset is operated. Changes in any of these conditions or estimates may 
affect future useful lives (Note 8). 

(c) 

Impairment analysis of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and investments in joint ventures 

The estimation of forecasted cash flows for the purposes of impairment testing involves the application of a number 
of significant judgements and estimates to certain variables including volumes of production and extraction, prices on 
finished goods, operating costs, capital investment, and macroeconomic factors such as inflation and discount rates. 
In addition, judgement is applied in determining the cash-generating units assessed for impairment (Notes 8, 9). 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
(millions of US dollars) 

27 

New or revised standards and interpretations 

The following amended standards became effective from 1 January 2020, but did not have a material impact on the 
Group: 

•  Amendments to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (issued on 29 March 2018 and effective 

for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020); 

•  Amendments to IFRS 3 Definition of a business (issued on 22 October 2018 and effective for acquisitions 

from the beginning of annual reporting period that starts on or after 1 January 2020); 

•  Amendments  to  IAS  1  and  IAS  8  Definition  of  materiality  (issued  on  31  October  2018  and  effective  for 

annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020); 

•  Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 Interest rate benchmark reform (issued on 26 September 2019 

and effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020). 

Certain new standards and interpretations have been issued that are mandatory for the annual periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2021 or later, and which the Group has not early adopted and are not expected to have any 
material impact on the Group financial statements when adopted: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

COVID-19-Related  Rent  Concessions  Amendment  to  IFRS  16  issued  on  28  May  2020  and  effective  for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 June 2020; 
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture – Amendments to IFRS 
10 and IAS 28 (issued on 11 September 2014 and effective for annual periods beginning on or after a date 
to be determined by the IASB); 
IFRS 17 "Insurance Contracts" (issued on 18 May 2017 and effective for annual periods beginning on or 
after 1 January 2023); 
Classification of liabilities as current or non-current – Amendments to IAS 1 (issued on 23 January 2020 and 
effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022); 
Classification  of  liabilities  as  current  or  non-current,  deferral  of  effective  date  –  Amendments  to  IAS  1 
(issued on 15 July 2020 and effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023); 
Proceeds before intended use, Onerous contracts – cost of fulfilling a contract, Reference to the Conceptual 
Framework – narrow scope amendments to IAS 16, IAS 37 and IFRS 3, and Annual Improvements to IFRSs 
2018-2020 – amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9,  IFRS 16 and IAS 41 (issued on 14 May 2020 and effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022); 

•  Amendments to IFRS 17 and an amendment to IFRS 4 (issued on 25 June 2020 and effective for annual 

• 

periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023);   
Interest rate benchmark (IBOR) reform – phase 2 amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 
(issued on 27 August 2020 and effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021).   

28 

Subsequent events 

In January 2021 the Group received refund of paid steel tariffs, enacted by Department of Commerce under Section 
232  of  the  USA  Trade  Expansion  Act.,  and  accrued  interests  in  the  amount  of  $105  (included  in  other  accounts 
receivable as at 31 December 2020). 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report  

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Novolipetsk Steel: 

Our opinion   

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Novolipetsk Steel (the “Company”) as at 
31 December 2020, and the Company’s financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the reporting rules established in the 
Russian Federation. 

What we have audited 

The Company’s financial statements comprise: 

 

 

 

 

 

the balance sheet as at 31 December 2020; 

the statement of financial results for the year then ended; 

the statement of changes in equity for the year then ended; 

the statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and 

the notes to the balance sheet and statement of financial results, which include significant accounting policies.  

Basis for opinion   

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the 
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.  

AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit  
White Square Office Center 10 Butyrsky Val Moscow, Russian Federation, 125047 
T: +7 (495) 967 6000, F:+7 (495) 967 6001, www.pwc.ru  

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

 
 
 
 
Independence 

We are independent of the Company in accordance with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence 
Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA Code) and the ethical requirements of the Auditor’s Professional 
Ethics Code and Auditor’s Independence Rules that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the Russian Federation. We have fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the IESBA Code.  

Our audit approach 

Overview 

Materiality 

  Overall Company materiality: Russian Roubles (“RUB”) 4,370,000 thousand, which represents 1% of the 

Company’s revenue. 

Key audit matter 

 

Impairment of the investment in subsidiary LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings 

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we 
considered where management made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions 
and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, 
including among other matters consideration of whether there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. 

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into 
account the structure of the Company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Company operates. 

Materiality 

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. An audit is designed to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements 
are free from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if individually or in aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall Company materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole as set out in the table below. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the 
nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, if any, both individually and in aggregate on the financial 
statements as a whole. 

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

2 

 
 
Overall Company materiality 

RUB 4,370,000 thousand 

How we determined it 

1% of the Company’s revenue 

Rationale for the materiality benchmark applied 

We chose revenue as the benchmark because, in our view, it is the benchmark which objectively 
best represents the performance of the Company over a period of time while financial results are 
volatile. We determined overall materiality as 1%, which in our experience is within the range of 
acceptable quantitative materiality thresholds applied for public companies in the relevant industry. 
We also consider misstatements or possible misstatements in the context of qualitative factors. 

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. 
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Impairment of the long-term financial investments in LLC NLMK Overseas 
Holdings 
Annually at the reporting date management performs  analysis of existence of 
impairment indicators of the Company’s long-term investments, including 
investments in the subsidiaries where the market value is not determined. 
If impairment indicators are in place, management assesses investments’ 
recoverable amount and compares that with the carrying value. 
If the impairment test identifies a steady decline in the value of investments, 
impairment loss is recognized. Impairment loss is calculated as the difference 
between the recoverable amount and the carrying value of investment. 

The recoverable amount of the investment in the subsidiary LLC NLMK 
Overseas Holdings that has investments in its own subsidiaries, is defined as 
the value of its net assets adjusted for the recoverable value of investments. 
The latter is in turn defined based on discounted cash flow models of the major 
production companies and using net assets value for other investments. 
Respective models and calculations were prepared as at 31 December 2020. 
As a result of testing performed, significant excess of the carrying amount of 
investments in LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings over its recoverable amount was 
identified and additional impairment provision of RUB 12,870,000 thousand was 
recognized.  

We focused on this area because of the significant judgment involved in the 
evaluation of recoverable amount, and the significant carrying value of the 
assets in scope of the test and the amount of the impairment loss. 

We obtained, understood and evaluated management’s analysis of 
existence of impairment indicators of the Company’s financial 
investments and we did not identify any additional factors that should 
have been considered in the analysis.   
We audited the recoverable amount of the investments in LLC NLMK 
Overseas Holdings subsidiaries which were calculated by management 
based on subsidiaries’ net assets. 
We involved our valuation experts to assist in the evaluation of the 
methodology, mathematical accuracy and assumptions used in the 
models. 
During our work on verification of the recoverable amount of the 
investments in the subsidiary LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings that 
included audit of the recoverable value of its investments determined 
based on discounted cash flow models, we performed the following main 
procedures: 

 

 

comparison of the key assumptions used within the impairment 
models to the historic performance of the LLC NLMK Overseas 
Holdings investments, approved estimates, and other supporting 
calculations; 

sample benchmarking of the key assumptions used within the 
impairment models, including price forecasts for core raw materials 
and finished products, inflation and discount rates, against external 

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

4 

 
Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

expert valuations, macroeconomic and industry forecasts, which 
corroborated their validity; 

  performing sensitivity analysis of the key assumptions in order to 
assess their potential impact on impairment results and ranges of 
possible outcomes of the recoverable amounts.  

The scope of the audit procedures for verification of impairment 
models for each investment of LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings was 
based on its significance, safety margin, sensitivity to assumptions 
and individual risks. 

Other information  

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Annual Report for 2020 and the Issuer’s Report for the first quarter of 
2021 (but does not include the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon), which are expected to be made available to us after the date of this auditor’s 
report. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover other information and we will not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read other information identified above when it becomes available and, in doing 
so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears 
to be materially misstated.  

When we read the Annual Report for 2020 and the Issuer’s Report for the first quarter of 2021, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we 
are required to communicate the matter to those charged with governance. 

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the financial statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the reporting rules established in the 
Russian Federation, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

5 

 
In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as 
applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or 
to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.  

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of 
these financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures 
responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  

  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for 

the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control.  

  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.  

  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a 
material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we 
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, 
if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. 
However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.  

  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements 

represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

6 

 
  
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit 
findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to 
communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken 
to eliminate threats or safeguards applied. 

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes 
public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because 
the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.  

The certified auditor responsible for the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is A. B. Fomin. 

10 February 2021 

Moscow, Russian Federation  

A. B. Fomin, certified auditor (licence No. № 01-000059), AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit   

Audited entity: Novolipetsk Steel  

Independent auditor: AO PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on  
28 January 1993 under State Registration Number 1024800823123 

Taxpayer Identification Number 4823006703 

Registered by the Government Agency Moscow Registration Chamber on 28 February 1992 under Nо. 008.890 

Record made in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities on 22 August 2002 under State Registration 
Number 1027700148431 

Taxpayer Identification Number 7705051102 

2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, 398040, Russian Federation 

Member of Self-regulatory organization of auditors Association «Sodruzhestvo» 

Principal Registration Number of the Record in the Register of Auditors and Audit Organizations – 12006020338 

TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRANSLATION NOTE: This version of our report is a translation from the original, which was prepared in Russian. All possible care has been taken to ensure that the translation is an accurate representation of the original. However, in all matters of interpretation 
of information, views or opinions, the original language version of our report takes precedence over this translation. 

8 

 
 
NOVOLIPETSK STEEL 

NLMK, 2 Metallurgov sq., 398040 Lipetsk 
Tel.: +7 (4742) 44 42 22 | fax: +7 (4742) 44 11 11 
е-mail: info@nlmk.com | www.nlmk.com 

ACCOUNTING (FINANCIAL) STATEMENTS 
NOVOLIPETSK STEEL  
FOR 2020   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

CONTENTS 

BALANCE SHEET .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 
NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET AND PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 
2. SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF ACCOUNTING POLICY AND BASIS OF ACCOUNTING (FINANCIAL) STATEMENTS PREPARATION .......................................................... 15 
2. 1 INTANGIBLE ASSETS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 
2. 2 R&D RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 
2. 3 FIXED ASSETS AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 
2. 4 FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 
2. 5 INVENTORIES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 
2. 6 SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 
2. 7 ADVANCE PAYMENTS MADE AGAINST NON-CURRENT ASSETS .................................................................................................................................................. 18 
2. 8 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 
2. 9 CREDITS AND LOANS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 
2. 10 ESTIMATED LIABILITIES .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 
2. 11 INCOME AND EXPENSES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 
2. 12 TAXES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 
2. 13 ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ................................................................................................................................................ 20 
2. 14 INFORMATION BY SEGMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 
2. 15 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 
2. 16 COMPARATIVE DATA ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 
3. DISCLOSURE OF SIGNIFICANT INDICATORS .................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 
3. 1 INTANGIBLE ASSETS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 
3. 2 FIXED ASSETS AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 
3. 3 FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25 
3. 4 INVENTORIES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 
3. 5 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PAYABLE ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 
3. 5. 1 Accounts Receivable ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 
3. 5. 2 Accounts payable ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 
3. 6 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 
3. 7 CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 33 
3. 8 CREDITS AND LOANS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 
3. 9 ESTIMATED LIABILITIES ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36 
3. 10 INCOME AND EXPENSES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36 
3. 10. 1 Income and expenses from ordinary activities ...................................................................................................................................................................... 36 
3. 10. 2 Other income and expenses .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 37 
3. 11 CURRENT INCOME TAX FORMATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 
3. 12 INFORMATION BY SEGMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 

Notes 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 13 SECURITY OF LIABILITIES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 39 
3. 14 INFORMATION ON RELATED PARTIES ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 
3. 14. 1 The list of related parties ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 
3. 14. 2 Operations with related parties ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 
3. 15  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 
3. 16 EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 
Balance 
Sheet 

NLMK 

Entity 
Taxpayer Identification Number 
Type of business 
Type of business entity / form of ownership Public Joint Stock Company /  

Production of cold-rolled steel flats 

2, Metallurgov sq., 398040 Lipetsk 

Joint private and foreign property 
Unit of measurement – RUB k 
Address 
The accounting statements are subject to obligatory auditing 
Auditor       PWC Audit 
The auditor’s taxpayer identification number 
The auditor’s main state registration number  

Description 

1 
ASSETS  
I. Non-current assets 

Intangible assets  
Results of research and developments 
Fixed assets 
Financial investments  
Deferred tax assets 
Other non-current assets 
 Total for Section I 

II. Current assets 

Inventories 
Input VAT 
Accounts receivable 
Financial investments (excluding cash equivalents) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Other current assets 
Total for Section II 
BALANCE (sum of lines 1100 + 1200) 

BALANCE SHEET 
as of 31 December 2020 

Form acc. to OKUD 
Date (day, month, year) 
OKPO 
TIN 
OKVED2 

CODES 

0710001 
31/12/2020 
05757665 
4823006703 
24.10.4 

OKOPF/ OKFS 
OKEI 

12247 / 34 
384 

TIN 
OGRN 

7705051102 
1027700148431 

V 

YES 

NO 

Code 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Disclosure in 
Notes 
6 

1110 
1120 
1150 
1170 
1180 
1190 
1100 

1210 
1220 
1230 
1240 
1250 
1260 
1200 
1600 

1,401,412 
2,765 
192,736,224 
169,674,801 
2,482,779 
8,316,059 
374,614,040 

57,259,269 
1,049,657 
78,512,363 
10,605,000 
47,458,916 
43 
194,885,248 
569,499,288 

1,707,636 
2,510 
165,776,831 
158,223,497 
1,222,741 
7,563,601 
334,496,816 

55,675,785 
1,176,619 
109,715,882 
9,481,811 
26,636,800 
43 
202,686,940 
537,183,756 

1,666,241 
5,760 
139,314,267 
177,809,199 
1,770,135 
7,043,877 
327,609,479 

61,111,447 
553,567 
126,333,555 
2,497,606 
60,339,735 
67 
250,835,977 
578,445,456 

2.1, 3.1 
2.2 
2.3, 3.2 
2.4, 2.6, 3.3 
2.12, 3.11 
2.7, 3.5.1 

2.5, 3.4 

2.6, 3.5.1 
2.4, 2.6, 3.3 
2.8, 3.6 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description 

Code 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019  As of 31.12.2018 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

1 
LIABILITIES 
III. Capital and reserves 

Charter capital 
Revaluation of non-current assets   
Additional capital (without revaluation) 
Reserve capital 
Retained earnings (uncovered loss) 
Total for Section III 

IV. Long-term liabilities 

Borrowings 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Other liabilities 
Total for Section IV 

V. Short-term liabilities 

Borrowings 
Accounts payable 
Estimated liabilities 
Total for Section V 
BALANCE (sum of lines 1300 + 1400 + 1500) 

2 

3 

4 

5 

1310 
1340 
1350 
1360 
1370 
1300 

1410 
1420 
1450 
1400 

1510 
1520 
1540 
1500 
1700 

5,993,227 
3,259,484 
771,777 
299,661 
245,414,209 
255,738,358 

152,793,410 
12,056,430 
-- 
164,849,840 

43,916,850 
100,325,861 
4,668,379 
148,911,090 
569,499,288 

5,993,227 
3,275,807 
771,777 
299,661 
289,131,900 
299,472,372 

105,703,843 
10,847,050 
385,320 
116,936,213 

30,406,203 
86,497,982 
3,870,986 
120,775,171 
537,183,756 

5,993,227 
3,290,822 
771,777 
299,661 
325,751,607 
336,107,094 

84,066,622 
10,985,025 
15,510 
95,067,157 

21,823,828 
118,357,751 
7,089,626 
147,271,205 
578,445,456 

Form 0710001 p. 2 
Disclosure in 
Notes 
6 

3.7 

2.6, 2.9, 3.8 
2.12, 3.11 
2.6, 3.5.2 

2.6, 2.9, 3.8 
2.6, 3.5.2 
2.10, 3.9 

NLMK Manager 
by virtue of Power of Attorney  No.505-20/8 dd. 09.01.2020 

Е. Morozova 

10 February 2021 

Balance 
Notes 
Sheet 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

NLMK 

Entity 
Taxpayer’s identification number: 
Type of activity 
Type of business entity / form of ownership 
Public joint-stock company / Joint private and foreign property 
Unit of measurement – RUB k 

Production of cold-rolled steel flats 

Description 

1 

Revenue 
   incl.  sales of iron and steel products 
Cost of sales 
   incl.  iron and steel products sold 
Gross profit (loss) 
Selling expenses 
Administrative expenses 
Sales profit (loss) 
Income from shareholding in other organizations 
Interest receivable 
Interest payable 
Other income 
Other expenses 
Profit (loss) before tax 
Income tax 
   incl.  current income tax 
            deferred income tax 
Other 
Profit tax redistribution among a consolidated group of taxpayers 
 Net profit (loss) 

PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT 
for 2020 

Form under OKUD 
Date (day, month, year) 
under OKPO 
INN 
under OKVED2 

CODES 
0710002 
31/12/2020 
05757665 
4823006703 
24.10.4 

under OKOPF/ OKFS 
under OKEI 

12247 / 34 
384 

Code 

For 2020 

For 2019 

2 
2110 
2110.1 
2120 

2120.1 
2100 
2210 
2220 
2200 
2310 
2320 
2330 
2340 
2350 
2300 
2410 
2411 
2412 
2460 
2465 
2400 

3 
437,079,106 
434,795,572 
(325,865,606) 

(323,384,896) 
111,213,500 
(33,317,051) 
(18,460,815) 
59,435,634 
48,980,386 
348,436 
(6,131,228) 
20,397,324 
(55,923,841) 
67,106,711 
(6,310,959) 
(6,361,617) 
50,658 
(3,167) 
332,529 
61,125,114 

4 
421,816,321 
419,595,963 
(316,087,072) 

(313,940,919) 
105,729,249 
(30,065,720) 
(15,020,523) 
60,643,006 
72,099,211 
571,485 
(4,651,585) 
28,474,056 
(61,338,214) 
95,797,959 
(12,930,691) 
(12,521,271) 
(409,420) 
(1,501) 
554,305 
83,420,072 

Disclosure in 
Notes 
5 

2.11, 3.10.1 

2.11, 3.10.1 

3.3 
2.4, 3.3 
2.9, 3.8 

2.11, 3.10.2 

2.12, 3.11 

2.12, 3.11 
3.7 

Profit and  
Loss Statement 
Notes 

Form 0710002 p. 2 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description 
1 

Consolidated financial performance for the period 
FOR REFERENCE 
Base profit (loss) per share (RUB)        

Code 
2 
2500 

2900 

For 2020 
3 

For 2019 
4 

Disclosure in Notes 
5 

61,125,114 

83,420,072 

10.20 

13.92 

3.7 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

NLMK Manager 
by virtue of Power of Attorney  No.505-20/8 dd. 09.01.2020 

Е. Morozova 

10 February 2021 

Profit and  
Notes 
Loss Statement 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
for 2020 

NLMK 

Entity 
Taxpayer’s identification number: 
Type of activity 
Type of business entity / form of ownership 
Public joint-stock company / Joint private and foreign property 
Unit of measurement – RUB k 
1. Capital flow 

Production of cold-rolled steel flats 

Code  

Charter capital 

Description 

1 

Capital as of 31 December 2018 

Capital increase – total: 

For 2019 

including: 
net profit 
income directly pertaining to the capital 
increase 

Capital reduction – total: 

including:  
dividends 

Additional capital change 
Capital as of 31 December 2019 

Capital increase – total: 

For 2020 

including: 
net profit 
income directly pertaining to the capital 
increase 

Capital reduction – total: 
     including:  
dividends 

Additional capital change 
Capital as of 31 December 2020 

Additional 
capital 
4 

3 

5,993,227 

4,062,599 

-- 

Х 

Х 
-- 

-- 

Х 

-- 
-- 

Reserve 
capital 
5 
299,661 

-- 

Х 

Х 
-- 

Х 
Х 
5,993,227 

Х 
(15,015) 
4,047,584 

Х 
-- 
299,661 

-- 

Х 

Х 
-- 

-- 

Х 

-- 
-- 

-- 

Х 

Х 
-- 

Х 
Х 
5,993,227 

Х 
(16,323) 
4,031,261 

Х 
-- 
299,661 

2 
3100 

3210 

3211 

3213 
3220 

3227 
3230 
3200 

3310 

3311 

3313 
3320 

3327 
3330 
3300 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

Statement of changes in 
equity 

Form under OKUD 
Date (day, month, year) 
under OKPO 
INN 
under OKVED2 

CODES 
0710004 
31/12/2020 
05757665 
4823006703 
24.10.4 

under OKOPF/ OKFS 
under OKEI 

12247 / 34 
384 

Retained earnings  
(uncovered loss) 
6 

Total 

7 

325,751,607 

336,107,094 

83,469,552 

83,469,552 

83,420,072 

83,420,072 

49,480 
(120,104,274) 

49,480 
(120,104,274) 

(120,104,274) 
15,015 
289,131,900 

(120,104,274) 
Х 
299,472,372 

61,207,393 

61,207,393 

61,125,114 

61,125,114 

82,279 
(104,941,407) 

82,279 
(104,941,407) 

(104,941,407) 
16,323 
245,414,209 

(104,941,407) 
Х 
255,738,358 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Net assets 

Description 

Net assets  

1 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Form 0710004 p.2 

Code  
2 
3600 

As of 31.12.2020 
3 

As of 31.12.2019 
4 

As of 31.12.2018 
5 

255,738,358 

299,472,372 

336,107,094 

NLMK Manager 
by virtue of Power of Attorney  No.505-20/8 dd. 09.01.2020 

                   Е. Morozova 

   10 February 2021 

Statement of changes in 
equity 

Notes 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

for 2020 

NLMK 

Entity 
Taxpayer’s identification number: 
Type of activity 
Type of business entity / form of ownership 
Public joint-stock company / Joint private and foreign property 
Unit of measurement – RUB k 

Production of cold-rolled steel flats 

Description 
1 
Cash flow from current operations 

Inflow – total 
including: 
from sales of goods, products, works and services 
from rent, license payments, royalties, commissions and other similar payments 
other inflow 
Payments - total 
including: 
to suppliers (contractors) for feedstock, materials, works and services  
related to employee salaries and wages 
interest on liabilities 
corporate income tax 
other payments  
Balance of cash flows from current operations 

Cash flows from investment operations 

Form under OKUD 
Date (day, month, year) 
under OKPO 
INN 
under OKVED2 

CODES 

0710005 
31/12/2020 
05757665 
4823006703 
24.10.4 

under OKOPF/ OKFS 
under OKEI 

12247 / 34 
384 

Code  
2 

For 2020 
3 

For 2019 
4 

4110 

458,410,301 

408,881,905 

4111 
4112 
4119 
4120 

4121 
4122 
4123 
4124 
4129 
4100 

456,750,478 
233,448 
1,426,375 
(381,756,350) 

(328,063,076) 
(32,260,560) 
(6,134,854) 
(5,072,579) 
(10,225,281) 
76,653,951 

407,183,814 
250,581 
1,447,510 
(367,992,527) 

(308,494,446) 
(33,443,101) 
(4,783,662) 
(11,104,188) 
(10,167,130) 
40,889,378 

Inflow – total 
including: 
from sale of non-current assets (except financial investments) 
 from sale of interest (shares) in other companies 
from repayment of loans granted, from sale of debt securities (rights of demand of funds from other persons) 
from dividends, interest on debt financial investments and similar incoming funds from participation in other 
organizations 
other inflow 

4210 

81,359,005 

85,551,206 

4211 
4212 
4213 

4214 
4219 

800,091 
40,836 
8,382,160 

58,538 
23,911 
28,837,253 

72,135,918 
-- 

56,631,504 
-- 

10 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Cash flow statement 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 
1 

Payments – total 
including: 
those related to acquisition, set-up, upgrade, reconstruction and preparation for usage of non-current assets  
those related to acquisition of stock (shares) in other companies 
those related to acquisition of debt securities (rights of demand of monetary funds from other persons), 
granting of loans to other entities 
interest on debt liabilities included into the cost of an investment asset 
other payments 
Balance of cash flows from investment operations 

Cash flows from financial operations 

Inflow – total 
including: 
receiving loans and credits 
Payments – total 
including: 
payment of dividends and other payments related to profit distribution in favour of owners (participants) 
related to repayment (buy- back) of bills of exchange and other debt securities, repayment of loans and credits 
other payments 
Balance of cash flows from financial operations 
Balance of cash flows for the reporting period 
Balance of cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the reporting period 
Balance of cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the reporting period 
Foreign currency to RUB exchange rate fluctuation effect 

Code  
2 
4220 

For 2020 
3 

(63,844,996) 

For 2019 
4 
(60,105,441) 

4221 
4222 

4223 
4224 
4229 
4200 

4310 

4311 
4320 

4322 
4323 
4329 
4300 
4400 
4450 
4500 
4490 

(39,743,605) 
(14,871,000) 

(36,796,408) 
-- 

(8,356,133) 
-- 
(874,258) 
17,514,009 

(12,631,076) 
-- 
(10,677,957) 
25,445,765 

85,325,214 

57,156,316 

85,325,214 
(160,579,072) 

57,156,316 
(152,005,832) 

(111,456,848) 
(43,496,426) 
(5,625,798) 
(75,253,858) 
18,914,102 
26,636,609 
47,458,761 
1,908,050 

(130,848,683) 
(15,104,232) 
(6,052,917) 
(94,849,516) 
(28,514,373) 
60,339,683 
26,636,609 
(5,188,701) 

NLMK Manager 
by virtue of Power of Attorney  No.505-20/8 dd. 09.01.2020 

        10 February 2021 

                                            Е. Morozova 

Cash flow statement 

Notes 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

NOTES 
TO BALANCE SHEET 
AND PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT 

Notes 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

1. GENERAL INFORMATION 

Novolipetsk Steel  (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) is an integrated steel-making company specializing in production of a wide variety of flats.  
Abbreviated Company name: PJSC NLMK. 

Registered office of the Company: 2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, Russia. 
Postal address of the Company: 2, Metallurgov sq., Lipetsk, 398040, Russia. 

The main activities of the Company are: 
  production and sale of iron and steel products; 
  production and sale of mechanical engineering products (equipment, accessories, tools and spare parts); 
 
  production of construction materials, structures, and products; 
 
  generation, transmission and distribution of electrical and heat power; 

industrial construction, rendering construction and public utilities services; 

foreign and domestic trade; 

and others.  

The Company is licensed for all types of activities subject to licensing. 
The Company has a representative office in Moscow as well as a branch office in Yekaterinburg. 

As of 31.12.2020 the Company’s headcount was 27,207 employees, as of 31.12.2019 – 27,401 employees. 

Board of Directors as of 31 December 2020:  

Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Vladimir Lisin               

Members: 

 Oleg V. Bagrin 
Thomas Veraszto 
Nikolai Gagarin 
Sergey Kravchenko 
Joachim Limberg 
 Marjan Oudeman 
Stanislav Shekshnya 
Benedict Sciortino  

Management Board as of 31 December 2020: 

Grigory Fedorishin 
Tatyana Averchenkova 
Mikhail Arkhipov 
Ilya Guschin 
Barend de Vos 
Sergey Likharev                   

President (Chairman of the Management Board) 
 Vice-President, Operational Efficiency 
Vice President, HR & Management System 
Vice President, Sales 
 Vice-President, International Operations 
 Vice President, Logistics 

Notes 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Shamil Kurmashov 
Evgeny Ovcharov 
Sergei Chebotarev 

Vice President, CFO 
 Vice-President, Risk Management 
 Vice President, Energy and Environment 

President (Management Board Chairman) is a sole executive body of the Company. 
Information on risk management, internal control and internal audit is presented on the Company's website1. 

Information on the Register Holder and the Auditor: 
Register Holder of the Company is JSC Agency “RNR”; license No. 042-13984-000001, dd. 29.11.2002 with an unlimited validity. The Register of the issuer’s registered 
securities owners has been held by the registrar since 4 March 2004. 
The company’s auditor is PWC Audit 

Financial and tax accounting 
Financial and tax accounting of the Company's business to the extent established by the current legislation is conducted by the Corporate Solutions Centre in line with 
Service Contract No. 75757 dd. 31.12.2019. The authorized signatory of the accounting (financial) statements is E. Morozova,  Director of the Accounting Division of 
Corporate Solutions Centre LLC, on the basis of a power of attorney. 

The Company’s operational environment 
The Russian economy demonstrates some characteristics typical of emerging markets. The country’s economy is mostly susceptible to oil and gas prices. Continuous 
political tension in the region as well as the extended international sanctions against  some Russian companies and nationals are having a negative impact on the 
Russian economy. Moreover, the existing tax, currency and customs legislation is subject to various interpretations and thus creates additional difficulties for Russian 
companies. Such economic environment cannot but influence the Company’s business.  
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious headwinds for overall business activity, that initially led to weakening of demand for steel in traditional sales markets 
and a temporary drop in steel product prices which however started to recover gradually in second half 2020. In order to keep capacity utilization rates of the Company 
high the NLMK Group made changes to regional sales structure and diversified product mix. Production and supply chains of the  Company were not significantly 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
At the date of issuing these accounting (financial) statements, the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is still evolving. The Company benefits 
from a strong financial position, with low leverage and significant liquidity. The Company management made an analysis of impairment indicators of the Company's 
financial investments, as a result, impairment indicators were identified in relation to certain financial investments, and the corresponding financial investments of 
the Company were tested for possible impairment (clause 3.3. Explanations).  

Current economic environment cannot but influence the activities of the Company.  

The management takes the necessary measures to ensure a stable financial position of the Company and to provide support to its customers and employees. However 
future consequences of the economic situation are difficult to foresee and their influence on the Company’s business might differ from today’s expectations of the 
Management. 
Main financial risks intrinsic to the Company’s operations include market risks, credit risks, currency risks and underliquidity risks. Financial risk management is aimed 
at determination of risk limits and subsequent observance of the established limits. Risk management is to ensure proper functioning of the Company’s internal policy 
and procedures for the purpose of minimizing these risks. The Company discloses its procedures for management of these risks at its official website1. 

1Posted on the website of NLMK (http://www.nlmk.com) 

Notes 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

The Russian Law on transfer pricing provides for a possibility of additional charging of tax liabilities to monitored transactions (transactions with related parties and 
certain transactions between independent parties), if the transaction price does not correspond to the market one.  
In order to meet requirements of the applicable legislation on transfer pricing the Company’s Management introduced internal  control procedures. In the reporting 
year the Company submitted the “Notice of controlled transactions for 2019” to the Tax authority (in 2019 - for 2018). 
The Company is preparing transfer pricing documentation which will confirm the compliance of prices used with the market level for tax purposes. Nevertheless, there 
is a possibility that due to further practice in application of transfer pricing rules these prices can be contested and consequences of such outcome cannot be securely 
evaluated. 

According to the Law on Controlled Foreign Companies (hereinafter  - CFC) taxation on profit was introduced in the Russian Federation for foreign  companies and 
foreign ventures without establishing an entity (including funds) being controlled by tax residents of the Russian Federation (controlling persons). Starting from 2015 
CFCs’ income is taxed at 20% in line with the legislation requirements.  

The Company has established a  consolidated taxpayer group (hereinafter  - CTG) for the purpose of calculation and payment  of corporate income tax, taking into 
account the total financial result of a business, in which it acts as the responsible party. 19 NLMK Group companies are included into the CTG. 

The Company concluded an agreement with various banks on accession to Cash pooling service for a Master account where NLMK acts as a Parent Company for the 
purpose  of  NLMK  Group  companies’  liquidity  management  by  cash  consolidation.  Cash  consolidation  is  performed  through  conducting  operations  under  loan 
agreements between the Company and NLMK Group companies. 

2. SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF ACCOUNTING POLICY AND BASIS OF ACCOUNTING (FINANCIAL) STATEMENTS PREPARATION 

The accounting (financial) statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules of accounting and reporting effective in the Russian Federation, in particular, 
with the Federal Law “Accounting” and Regulation on accounting and reporting in the Russian Federation approved by the RF Ministry of Finance. 
The  unit  of  measurement  for  accounting  indicators  is  RUB  thousand  without  decimal  digits.  In  the  accounting  (financial)  statements,  negative  figures  or  figures 
deductible from relevant indicators in order to calculate intermediate or total values, are given in round brackets. 
The companies whose names were brought in line with the Civil code requirements (renaming to Public Company, Joint-Stock Company or Production Cooperative) as 
of the reporting date, are presented with their names changed. 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been compiled in line with the International Financial Reporting Statements (IFRS). 

2. 1 INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Intangible assets are reflected in balance sheets upon actual costs of acquisition, manufacture and additional expenses in order to bring assets to a state in which they 
could be used as intended, less depreciation charged. 
Depreciation of intangible assets is calculated by a straight-line method with an exclusion of cases when application of another method to determine depreciation can 
be justified by a reliable calculation of expected receipt of future economic benefits from using the intangible asset, including financial result from potential sale of 
that asset.  
When useful life of an intangible asset is checked in order to revise it, more accurate definition of the useful life is performed in case of significant change in the period 
(for 12 months and longer of the previously defined one) within which the Company plans to use that asset. Should it be impossible to define useful life for intangible 
assets accounted before 1 January 2008, standard depreciation charges are established on the basis of a 20-year term. For similar intangible assets accounted from 1 
January 2008, depreciation is not charged. 
There are no regular revaluations of intangible assets or checks for their impairment. 

Notes 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses  for purchasing non-exclusive rights for using the  result of intellectual activity  or the means of individualization (computer software etc.) are charged to 
relevant accounts on a monthly basis by equal portions and in the amount determined by the Company’s agreements or calculations, during the period they refer to. 

2. 2 R&D RESULTS 

Scientific research, development- and- design and process works the results of which are used for production or management purposes are shown on account 04 
“Intangible assets” separately and are reflected in the balance sheet under item “R&D results”. They are written off on a straight-line basis as operational expenses 
within three years starting from the first day of the month following the month of their actual use commencement.   

2. 3 FIXED ASSETS AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS 

Structure of fixed assets 
Fixed assets acquired from 1 January 2011 with the initial cost of RUB 40 thou. per item and below, are accounted within inventories.  
Special tools, devices and equipment the lifetime of which is longer than 12 months and the cost of which is over  RUB 40 thou. per item are accounted under the 
procedure established for fixed asset accounting. 

Evaluation basis 
The  original  value  of  fixed  assets  acquired  by  the  Company  for  payment,  is  formed  by  the  actual  costs  of  acquisition,  construction  and  manufacture  less  taxes 
refundable.   The initial cost  of fixed assets received under agreements which provide  for the fulfilment  of liabilities (payments) by non-monetary means  shall be 
recognized as the price of valuables handed over or to be handed over, based on the price upon which the Company usually defines the value of similar valuables in 
comparable circumstances. 
Costs related to completion, additional supply of equipment, modernization and upgrading increase the initial cost of fixed assets. 

Over the period from 1992 to 1997, the Company conducted annual re-evaluations of fixed assets in accordance with the Russian Government regulations. Currently, 
no annual re-evaluation of fixed assets is conducted.   
Fixed  assets  purchased  before  01.01.1997  are  shown  in  the  balance  sheet  at  replacement  cost,  and  those  purchased  after  01.01.1997  –  at  initial  cost,  minus 
accumulated depreciation amounts respectively. 

Depreciation 
Depreciation of fixed asset items is charged on a straight-line basis from the initial (replacement) value of items and using depreciation norms calculated for established 
useful lives of such items.  

Groups of fixed assets 

Buildings  
Structures  
Machinery and equipment including household 
equipment and other items  
Vehicles  
Cultivated resources of plant origin 

Useful life (years) of items taken onto the books 

before 01.01.2003 

since 01.01.2003 

5-256 
8-106 

5-100 
13-34 
40 

5-45 
2-47 

1-42 
3-25 
30 

16 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For fixed asset items commissioned before 01.01.2003, useful life is set on the basis of depreciation norms approved by USSR Ministers Council’s Resolution No. 1072 
"On  uniform  norms  of  depreciation  for  complete  recovery  of  national  economy  of  the  USSR"  dd.  22.10.1990,  and  for  those  acquired  starting  from  01.01.2003  - 
according to the norms calculated based on the useful lives set by the Company. 
Depreciation is not charged for objects under preservation for longer than three months as well as within renewal period longer than 12 months. 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Retirement, writing-off and disposal 
Retired or disposed fixed asset items are written off from the balance sheet along with the accrued depreciation amount. The revaluation surplus amount of a retired 
fixed asset item shall be transferred from additional capital to retained profit of the Company, remaining within the equity. 
Any profits and expenses induced by fixed asset retirement shall be reflected in the Profit and Loss Statement for the reporting period when they were incurred as 
other income and expenses. 

Construction in progress 
The Construction in Progress reflects the scope of construction works which the Company accepted from its contractors.  
Settlements  between  the  Company  (Builder)  and  contractors  are  performed  on  a  monthly  basis  according  to  the  agreements  on  construction,  after  step-by-step 
(intermediate) acceptance of the construction and installation works done. Information on value of works done contained in Forms KC-2 and KC-3 is a basis for reflection 
of expenses related to construction of fixed assets. The value of works is reflected in the contract prices, also in the estimated costs according to which the settlements 
of NLMK with the contractors are effected with the progressive total since the beginning of the works, the beginning of the year also including the reporting period. 

2. 4 FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS 

A unit of financial investment accounting is: for shares – a share; for bonds – a bond; for nominal capital contributions – interest; for certificates of deposit, notes – 
series and number of a security; for loans, deposits, assignment and special partnership contracts – a contract. 
Financial investments are accounted on the basis of actual acquisition costs. Debt securities for which current market value  is not determined are accounted before 
the retirement at original cost. Financial investments, for which the current market value is determined under the established procedure, are reflected as of the quarter 
end at their current market value. 
Debt securities and granted loans are not estimated in terms of discounted value. Financial investments in securities (shares, bonds), for which the current market 
value is not defined, are depreciated at time of retirement upon the average acquisition cost for that type of securities. 
Interests on loans granted and other similar agreements are accrued as of the month end. 
In order to show the impairment of the Company’s financial investments a provision for their impairment is set up calculated  according to the method summarizing 
information on cost reduction factors and signs of depreciation. If there are signs of impairment of financial investments for which market value is not defined, as of 
the end of reporting year the Company generates a provision amounting to the excess of book value of such investments over their estimated value determined based 
on the information available to the Company. 
Short- term deposits placed for a period not exceeding 3 months, are classified as cash equivalents and reported as part of other cash assets. 

2. 5 INVENTORIES 

Evaluation of inventories acquired at a charge, as of the end of the reporting period is done at actual costs. In the reporting period accounting is carried out at book 
prices, determined when first assigning a nomenclature number. When materials arrive, their cost is determined based on the price specified in the delivery order on 
the basis of a contract or other data. Subsequently actual first cost of materials based on the data for the period preceding the previous period is used as accounting 
price of the acquired materials. Entry of materials purchased is accounted using control accounts 15 “Procurement and acquisition of tangible assets” and 16 “Deviation 
of tangible assets cost”. In the end of a reporting period, any deviations of the actual cost of materials from their cost of acquisition are written off pro rata the value 
of materials consumed in the reporting period at book prices to accounting accounts in accordance with the purposes of materials usage and to account 10 “Materials" 
for the adjustment of its balance by the amount of deviations related to the unused materials balance. 
Inventories received without settlement documents of suppliers are recorded as non-invoiced deliveries at book prices.  

17 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

When  tangible  assets  are  released  into  production  or  otherwise  retire  they  are  valued  within  the  reporting  period  at  book  prices  with  subsequent  writing  off  of 
deviations of actual cost from the book prices to the relevant accounts at the end of the reporting period. When materials are written off, their evaluative calculation 
includes their quantity and cost as per the nomenclature number as of the beginning of the month, and also all incomings during the month. 
Finished products are valued as of the end of the reporting period at actual costs for each product type, which is formed by the cost of finished product balances as of 
the beginning of the reporting period and the first cost of the reporting period. 
Within  the  reporting  period, finished  products  accounting  is  carried  out  on  the  basis  of  book  prices  without  application  of  account  40  “Product  (works,  services) 
output”. Actual first cost of the finished products upon the data of the reporting period before the last one is used as a book price. 
Difference between actual first cost and book price of the finished goods is charged to a separate subaccount of account 43 “Finished goods” broken down to product 
types. 
Finished goods are written off at book prices when dispatched. At the same time deviations related to finished goods sold are written off to sales accounts pro rata 
their quantity. Deviations related to the balance of finished goods are written off from deviations subaccount to finished goods subaccounts at the end of the reporting 
period, when actual calculation is formed, by product type for the purpose of determination of actual first cost. 
Work-in-progress as of the reporting period end is valued on the basis of the actual first cost generated based on work-in-progress value as of the period beginning 
and production costs of the reporting period. The order-by-order calculation of work-in-progress is evaluated on the basis of actual costs. 
In the balance sheet inventories, including work-in-progress, are accounted less the assessed reserves charged quarterly. The method of reserves estimation takes into 
account the value of identified non-used long-term stored stocks and probable price of their sale. 

2. 6 SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 

Accounts payable and receivable, including indebtedness under credits and loans, are accounted as short- term assets and liabilities, if their maturity does not exceed 
12 months from the balance sheet date in accordance with contractual conditions, or if not fixed. Financial investments are classified as short- term or long- term 
depending on estimated time of their use (circulation, ownership or repayment).  
As of the end of a reporting period, long-term assets and liabilities are shown in the balance sheet as short-term ones when their remaining maturity (repayment 
period) does not exceed 12 months from the balance sheet date. 

2. 7 ADVANCE PAYMENTS MADE AGAINST NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

For a more reliable accounting of information on the property status of the Company, the amounts of advances, given for capital construction, purchasing fixed asset 
items and other non-current assets, are reflected in Section I of the Balance sheet in line 1190 “Other non-current assets”. 

2. 8 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Short-term deposits placed for a period not exceeding 90 days, are classified as cash equivalents and reported in the accounting (financial) statements as part of other 
cash assets. Interest received on cash equivalents is accounted in cash flow statement as part of current operations. 
Cash flow amount in foreign currency is converted into roubles at the official rate of  this foreign currency to rouble established by the Central Bank of the Russian 
Federation as of the date of the payment effecting or receipt.  
In the presentation of cash flows in the cash flow statement, the following items are presented in summarized form as cash inflow (payments) in accordance with cash 
flow type: 

 
 
 
 
 

placement and refund of deposits for 3 months and up; 
indirect taxes as part of cash inflow from buyers and customers, payments to suppliers and contractors and payments to / refunds from the RF budget system; 
inflow from contractors as refund of payments made earlier; 
currency exchange transactions; 
execution and receipt of payments as refunds under earlier transactions; 

Notes 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

 

receipt and granting of loans in the framework of cash pooling. 

Cash flows from current, investment and financial transactions are included in the same reporting segment identified by the type of activity. 
The cash flow necessary to maintain the current Company’s business volume is included in current operations. The cash flow associated with the Company’s business 
expansion is included in investment operations. 
Proceeds and payments on the investment activities include cash flows related to interest-free loans granted to related parties on the grounds of the economic benefits 
the Company receives from them as dividends or in any other indirect way. 

2. 9 CREDITS AND LOANS 

Interest payable to a lender (creditor) is recognized in the cost of an investment asset or as part of other expenses evenly over the contract validity period. 
Additional borrowing costs for the received credits and loans are accounted in the balance sheet and statements in the reporting period which they belong to. 
The discount on placed bonds is reflected in other expenses proportionally over the term of the loan agreement. 

2. 10 ESTIMATED LIABILITIES 

The Company accepts  estimated liabilities for forthcoming expenses on vacation pays and on payment of bonuses to employees.  In the Balance Sheet such liabilities 
are reported within short-term liabilities. The procedure for such estimated liabilities accrual and their further accounting is governed by the methodologies approved 
by the Company. 
The necessity of recognizing other estimated liabilities is subject to consideration by the Company on the basis of the financial and economic activity.  

2. 11 INCOME AND EXPENSES 

Income and expenses of the Company are classified as operational and other income and expenses. 
Sales proceeds are defined as of transfer date of title for  products, goods, results of works,  services rendered (for charge) on the basis of settlement  documents 
presented to buyers (customers). 
Production costs of products (works, services) sold domestically or exported are defined by straight-line calculation on the basis of types of products and their actual 
costs. 
Expenses related to the sales of products (services, works) and general expenses are recognized in full in costs of products (services, works) sold in the reporting period 
as operational expenses. 
Expenses for licenses, certificates are included into the cost of goods manufactured (works, services) on a monthly basis by equal amounts during their validity.  
Actual expenses related to routine and major repairs are recognized as current period expenses upon repairs completion.  
Income generated from granting of assets, rights, arising out of patents for inventions, industrial models and other kinds of intellectual property for temporary use 
and possession subject to payment, from holding shares in nominal capitals of other organizations, interests received from granting organization’s monetary funds for 
use, and other income from securities not related to the organization’s core activity is attributed to other income.    
The Company generates provisions for inventory impairment, shortage and losses from tangible assets impairment, for financial investment depreciation, provisions 
for bad debts. Accrual of evaluation reserves is effected on the account of other expenses. 

2. 12 TAXES 

Income tax 
Accounting and taxable profit are defined according to current legislative requirements of the Russian Federation using different methods of assessment.  
The current profit tax is calculated based on the income tax return.  
Every month, the Company calculates deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, deferred income tax, expenses (income) on income tax, contingent expenses (income) 
on income tax, permanent tax expenses (income).   

Notes 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the balance sheet as non-current assets and long-term liabilities, respectively. 
CTG’s consolidated taxation base shall be defined as arithmetic sum of the profits of all CTG participants decreased by the arithmetic sum of all CTG participants’ 
expenses taking into account the provisions of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.  
Settlements  with  participants  in  respect  of  CTG’s  income  tax  are  included  in  other  receivables  (line  1230  "Accounts  Receivable")  and  other  payables  (line  1520 
"Accounts Payable"). 
The Company states individually calculated income tax in line 2411 "Current income tax" of the Profit and Loss statement.  
The due share of savings on CTG’s operating results is shown in the Profit and Loss statement in line 2465 "Redistribution of income tax of the consolidated group of 
taxpayers". Cash flows of CTG members are reflected within the cash flows from current operations of the Cash Flow Statement. 

Land tax 
The Company pays land tax since it has property right to industrial area land. The Company pays rent for the rest of the land used. 

2. 13 ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND OPERATIONS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY 

For accounting items in foreign currencies, the official exchange rate of a foreign currency to the Russian ruble as of the date of operation is used.   
In  order  to  prepare  accounting  (financial)  statements,  funds  on  bank  accounts  (bank  deposits),  cash  and  payment  documents,  securities  (except  for  the  shares), 
accounts receivable including for borrowing liabilities (except for granted and received advance payments and down-payments, prepayments) expressed in foreign 
currency are recalculated into rubles at the exchange rate valid for the reporting date.  
Exchange rate differences are shown in the balance sheet as part of other income and expenses separately from other kinds of income and expenses including financial 
results from operations with foreign currency during the period they occurred in. 

Exchange rates of foreign currencies to Russian ruble set by the RF Central Bank: 

Foreign currency 
USD 1 
EUR 1 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

73.8757 
90.6824 

61.9057 
69.3406 

(RUB) 

69.4706 
79.4605 

2. 14 INFORMATION BY SEGMENTS 

The Company owns assets only in the territory of the Russian Federation and is a sole integrated facility for the production and sale of ferrous products. 
The Company identifies reporting segments based on the activity type. Key indicators: proceeds from sale of products, financial result (profit or loss). The information 
on assets and liabilities within a reporting segment is not disclosed, because for the Company as a whole the segment share in the production and sales is exceeding.   
Besides the key indicators, proceeds from sales by product types, the share of proceeds from export sales are disclosed additionally. 
Reporting segment information is stated using the same valuation techniques as used for the presentation of similar figures in the Company’s financial statements 
taken as a whole.  
Besides, the Company discloses segment information in its consolidated financial statements in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), where 
the Company is included in the Russia Strip Segment without further subdivision by product types. 

2. 15 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY 

The Company applied changes in RAS 18/02 “Corporate income tax accounting” in the preparation of the accounting (financial) statements for 2020.  The changes 
resulted in an adjustment of the amount of accrued and settled deferred tax assets (DTA) and deferred tax liabilities (DTL) for 2019 (lines 2450 and 2430) in the Profit 

Notes 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

and Loss Statement.  Starting from 2020, changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities have been shown in a summarized form in line 2412 “Deferred income tax”. 
Appropriate adjustments have been made in the comparative data, included in the accounting (financial) statements for 2020. 

No significant changes have been made to the accounting policy. 

2. 16 COMPARATIVE DATA 

In these accounting (financial) statements the comparative data have been derived by carrying over the respective reporting  parameters for the previous reporting 
period, excluding reclassification of other cash flow proceeds and payments from current operations. The changes made do not significantly affect the Company's 
reporting, however, they improve its understanding. 

Description 
Cash flow from current operations 
payments to suppliers (contractors) for feedstock, materials, works and 
services 
other payments 

Line code 

before adjustment 

adjustment  

(RUB k) 
after adjustment 

4121 
4129 

(307,353,266) 
(11,308,310) 

(1,141,180) 
1,141,180 

(308,494,446) 
(10,167,129) 

Notes 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. DISCLOSURE OF SIGNIFICANT INDICATORS 

3. 1 INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Availability of intangible assets 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

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Groups of intangible assets – total 

1,484,837 

(122,511) 

1,362,326 

1,790,481  (118,767) 

1,671,714  1,748,155 

(122,539) 

1,625,616 

including: 
research and development 

software and data bases  
trademarks and service marks  
original works of entertainment books 
or art 

other intellectual property items 
Costs for purchase of intangible assets 
Total 
For reference: 
intangible assets, created by the 
organization itself 
intangible assets with fully repaid value 

36,939 

(16,467) 

20,472 

36,739 

(15,180) 

21,559 

35,584 

(12,766) 

22,818 

1,445,529 
275 

(103,692) 
(258) 

1,341,837 
17 

1,751,019  (100,903) 
(590) 

629 

1,650,116  1,709,844 
629 

39 

(107,111) 
(565) 

1,602,733 
64 

2,069 

(2,069) 

-- 

2,069 

(2,069) 

-- 

2,073 

(2,072) 

1 

25 
Х 
Х 

(25) 
Х 
Х 

-- 
39,086 
1,401,412 

25 
Х 
Х 

(25) 
Х 
Х 

-- 
35,922 
1,707,636 

25 
Х 
Х 

(25) 
Х 
Х 

-- 
40,625 
1,666,241 

31,574 
99,925 

(13,358) 
(99,925) 

18,216 
-- 

31,373 
100,030 

(12,399) 
(100,030) 

18,974 
-- 

30,219 
105,659 

(10,313) 
(105,659) 

19,906 
-- 

There are no intangible assets with undetermined useful life. 

Notes 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 2 FIXED ASSETS AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS 

Availability of fixed assets and capital investments in progress 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 

Fixed assets   
Buildings  
Structures  
Machinery and equipment including 
household equipment and other 
items  
Vehicles  
Cultivated resources of plant origin  
Land lots and land improvement 
expenses 
Total  
For reference:  
the cost of  real estate objects, 
received for use and undergoing 
state registration. 
cost of leased out main assets 
Capital investments in progress 
Facilities construction1 

Acquisition of objects 

Equipment to be installed 

Materials and spare parts for 
construction and installation works 
Total 

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38,348,838 
50,437,539 

(13,151,761) 
(19,998,962) 

25,197,077 
30,438,577 

35,773,855 
35,227,726 

(11,882,138) 
(17,784,886) 

23,891,717 
17,442,840 

33,764,420 
33,432,076 

(10,895,534) 
(16,559,848) 

22,868,886 
16,872,228 

209,651,315  (125,674,284) 
(3,085,900) 
(592) 

6,745,323 
1,370 

83,977,031 
3,659,423 
778 

186,947,935 
5,318,957 
1,370 

(114,806,928) 
(2,768,108) 
(553) 

72,141,007  156,284,039 
4,600,444 
1,370 

2,550,849 
817 

(104,631,896) 
(2,599,971) 
(513) 

51,652,143 
2,000,473 
857 

1,345,426 
306,529,812 

1,345,426 
(161,911,500)  144,618,312  264,615,269 

1,345,426 

-- 

1,343,370 
(147,242,613)  117,372,656  229,425,719 

1,345,426 

-- 

-- 
(134,687,762) 

1,343,370 
94,737,957 

8,727,773 
2,971,177 

х 
(1,327,340) 

х 
1,643,837 

6,122,476 
1,513,213 

х 
(938,194) 

х 
575,019 

4,655,283 
1,523,186 

Х 
(880,753) 

Х 
642,433 

Х 
х 
х 

х 
х 

х 
х 
х 

х 
х 

36,969,565 

972,912 

5,471,515 

4,703,920 

48,117,912 

Х 
х 
х 

х 
х 

х 
х 
х 

х 
х 

37,429,523 

850,685 

6,809,043 

3,314,924 

48,404,175 

Х 
Х 
Х 

Х 
Х 

Х 
Х 
Х 

Х 
Х 

32,910,122 

304,607 

8,259,617 

3,101,964 

44,576,310 

1The largest constructions in progress as of 31.12.2020 are construction of a set of stoves, revamping of BF-4 and BF-6 complex. 

Notes 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed assets flow (initial value) 

Description 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Acquired1 

Retired 

Acquired 

Retired 

(RUB k) 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

(38,455) 
(182,389) 

2,613,438 
15,392,203 

Buildings  
Structures  
Machinery and equipment including household equipment 
and other items  
Vehicles  
Land lots and land improvements expenses  
Total  
For reference: 
The  increase of the objects’ value due to additional 
construction, installation of additional equipment, 
reconstruction 
the decrease of the objects’ value as a result of partial 
liquidation   
1 Major assets commissioned within the reporting year are the assets acquired within the frames of NLMK Investment Programme, please see the details at www.nlmk.com. 

(2,274,488) 
(66,926) 
-- 
(2,562,258) 

24,977,868 
1,493,291 
-- 
44,476,800 

31,992,646 
825,786 
2,056 
36,784,947 

2,036,819 
1,927,640 

12,789,716 

3,320,403 

(25,901) 

-- 

-- 

Depreciation of the retired fixed assets amounted to RUB 1,810,003 thou. over 2020 and RUB 1,512,831 thou. over 2019. 

(27,384) 
(131,990) 

(1,328,750) 
(107,273) 
-- 
(1,595,397) 

(55,680) 

(RUB k) 

Non-depreciable fixed assets    

Description 

Land plots 
Facilities under preservation 
Housing facilities 
Total 

As of 31.12.2020 

Original value 
As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

1,345,426 
693,299 
17,541 
2,056,266 

1,345,426 
694,231 
17,541 
2,057,198 

1,343,369 
704,708 
17,541 
2,065,618 

As of 31.12.2020 the Company rents fixed assets (including land lots) for the amount of RUB 4,249,662,000, as of 31.12.2019 – RUB 4,267,248,000, as of 31.12.2018 
– RUB 4,792,233,000 (off-balance sheet price under lease agreements). The Company rents land lots with the total area of 2,369 thousand square meters. The land 
lots rented are located in Lipetsk and Lipetsk Region. 

Notes 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 3 FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS 

Availability of financial investments  

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 

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Long-term financial 
investments - total 
Investments in charter capitals 
of other entities 
of which: 
NLMK Overseas Holdings 
NLMK Kaluga 
Stoilensky 
Altai Koks 
VIZ Steel 
Uralvtorchermet 
NLMK Metalware 
Zhernovsky-1 Mining & 
Concentration Complex 
Usinsky-3 Mining & 
Concentration Complex 
Loans granted  
Other financial investments 
Short-term financial 
investments - total 
Loans granted  
of which: 
NLMK Kaluga 
Deposits 
Total 

233,837,396 

(64,162,595) 

169,674,801 

209,619,174 

(51,395,677) 

158,223,497 

189,469,630 

(11,660,431) 

177,809,199 

233,339,221 

(63,712,684) 

169,626,537 

209,128,494 

(50,945,128) 

158,183,366 

189,017,696 

(11,225,918) 

177,791,778 

116,234,843 
39,185,090 
21,196,293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
12,901,320 
4,196,960 

(43,770,000) 
(7,218,000) 
-- 
-- 
-- 
(12,459,329) 
-- 

72,464,843 
31,967,090 
21,196,293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
441,991 
4,196,960 

90,362,843 
39,185,090 
21,196,293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
12,901,320 
4,196,960 

(30,900,000) 
(7,218,000) 
-- 
-- 
-- 
(11,225,918) 
-- 

59,462,843 
31,967,090 
21,196,293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
1,675,402 
4,196,960 

70,362,843 
39,185,090 
21,196293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
12,901,320 
4,196,960 

-- 
-- 
-- 
-- 
-- 
(11,225,918) 
-- 

70,362,843 
39,185,090 
21,196293 
18,477,302 
14,754,878 
1,675,402 
4,196,960 

2,772,287 

(265,355) 

2,506,932 

2,772,287 

-- 

2,772,287 

2,772,287 

-- 

2,772,287 

- 
48,264 
449,911 

- 

(449,911) 

- 
48,264 
-- 

1,624,717 
40,131 
450,549 

(1,601,210) 
-- 
(450,549) 

23,507 
40,131 
-- 

1,624,717 
15,971 
435,963 

-- 
-- 
(434,513) 

1,624,717 
15,971 
1,450 

10,606,000 
62,580 

(1,000) 
(1,000) 

10,605,000 
61,580 

9,482,811 
12,926 

(1,000) 
(1,000) 

9,481,811 
11,926 

2,498,606 
2,497,950 

(1,000) 
(1,000) 

2,497,606 
2,496,950 

- 
10,543,420 
244,443,396 

- 

- 

(64,163,595) 

10,543,420 
180,279,801 

-- 
9,469,885 
219,101,985 

-- 
-- 
(51,396,677) 

-- 
9,469,885 
167,705,308 

2,489,342 
656 
191,968,236 

-- 

-- 
(11,661,431) 

2,489,342 
656 
180,306,805 

As of 31.12.2020, 31.12.2019 and 31.12.2018 there were no financial investments for which the current market value was to be determined. 

Notes 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial investments flow 

In April 2020, Usinsky-3 Mining & Concentration Complex Usinsky-3 was liquidated, the cost of the retired financial asset is RUB 1,624,717,000. Due to the retirement 
of financial asset Usinsky-3 Mining & Concentration Complex Usinsky-3, the earlier accrued provision in the amount of RUB 1,601,210,000 was recovered. 
In July, Novolipetsk Printing House was liquidated, the cost of the retired financial asset is RUB 36,556,000. Due to the retirement of financial asset Novolipetsk Printing 
House, the earlier accrued provision in the amount of RUB 36,556,000 was recovered. 

In order to increase net assets of LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings the Company in 2020 made a contribution into its assets in cash in the amount of RUB 14,871,000,000 
by offsetting the Company’s cash claims under the interest-free loans granted in the amount of RUB 11,001,000,000 (in 2019: a contribution into the assets by offsetting 
the Company’s cash claims under the interest-free loans granted in the amount of RUB 20,000,000,000) recognizing it as financial investments in accordance with 
clause 7 of RAS 1/2008 “Accounting Policy of an Organization”. 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

The Company granted loans to its related parties.  

Impairment of financial investments 

Based on the results of an impairment test for investments in NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC, a reserve provision in the amount RUR, 12,870,000 thousand was accrued 
in the reporting year. 
In Uralvtorchermet in the amount of RUR 1,233,411,000, in Zhernovsky-1 Mining & Concentration Complex Zhernovsky-1 in the amount of RUR 265,355,000. 

Notes 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from financial investments 

Description 

Income from short-term deposits (from 3 months up to 1 year)  
Dividends from subsidiaries 
Interests on loans granted  
Total 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Income, RUB k 

For 2020 

For 2019 

101,191 
48,980,386 
3,988 
49,085,565 

227,510 
72,099,211 
13,229 
72,339,950 

3. 4 INVENTORIES 

Structure of inventories  

Type of stock 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

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(RUB k) 

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Raw and other materials, other 
similar valuables 
WIP costs 
Finished products and goods for 
reselling 
Goods shipped 
Deferred expenses 
Total 

28,456,170 
13,430,094 

(1,908,513) 
(346,073) 

26,547,657 
13,084,021 

30,949,980 
11,181,845 

(1,909,124) 
(358,371) 

29,040,856 
10,823,474 

31,278,579 
11,277,562 

(1,981,883) 
(277,791) 

29,296,696 
10,999,771 

8,553,718 
8,841,876 
231,997 
59,513,855 

-- 
-- 
-- 
(2,254,586) 

8,553,718 
8,841,876 
231,997 
57,259,269 

8,208,828 
7,439,395 
163,232 
57,943,280 

-- 
-- 
-- 
(2,267,495) 

8,208,828 
7,439,395 
163,232 
55,675,785 

8,367,664 
12,269,445 
177,871 
63,371,121 

-- 
-- 
-- 
(2,259,674) 

8,367,664 
12,269,445 
177,871 
61,111,447 

Inventories to be sold to buyers instead of further processing are accounted in finished products.  

Notes 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 5 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND PAYABLE 

3. 5. 1 Accounts Receivable 

Structure of accounts receivable 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Type of debt 

Long-term accounts 
receivable - total 
including: 
settlements with buyers and 
customers 
advance payments made1 - 
total 
including: 
under current operations 
for non-current assets3 
other 
Short- term accounts 
receivable - total 
including: 
settlements with buyers and 
customers 
advance payments made - 
total 
including:  
under current operations 
for non-current assets3 
other 
Total  

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

r
e
p
s
a
d
e
t
n
u
o
c
c
A

t
c
a
r
t
n
o
C
e
h
t

s

m
r
e
t

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
s
i
v
o
r
p

e
c
n
a
a
B

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

r
e
p
s
a
d
e
t
n
u
o
c
c
A

t
c
a
r
t
n
o
C
e
h
t

s

m
r
e
t

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
s
i
v
o
r
p

e
c
n
a
a
B

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

r
e
p
s
a
d
e
t
n
u
o
c
c
A

t
c
a
r
t
n
o
C
e
h
t

s

m
r
e
t

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
s
i
v
o
r
p

e
c
n
a
a
B

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

(RUB k) 

12,101,872 

-- 

12,101,872 

60,988,431 

-- 

60,988,431 

5,598,831 

-- 

198,000 

103,481 
94,519 
11,903,872 

-- 

-- 

-- 
-- 
-- 

-- 

-- 

198,000 

1,400,653 

103,481 
94,519 
11,903,872 

77,664 
1,322,989 
59,587,778 

-- 

-- 

-- 
-- 
-- 

-- 

-- 

1,400,653 

716,043 

77,664 
1,322,989 
59,587,778 

79,796 
636,247 
4,882,788 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 
-- 
-- 

5,598,831 

-- 

716,043 

79,796 
636,247 
4,882,788 

83,802,923 

(9,076,373) 

74,726,550 

64,729,561 

(8,438,509) 

56,291,052 

136,396,105 

(8,617,504) 

127,778,601 

13,952,510 

(193,290) 

13,759,220 

13,189,398 

(169,846) 

13,019,552 

8,662,779 

(396,393) 

8,266,386 

12,202,196 

(594,771) 

11,607,425 

8,754,720 

(142,353) 

8,612,367 

9,941,378 

(177,281) 

9,764,097 

3,979,338 

(593,453) 

3,385,885 

2,512,790 

(141,035) 

8,222,858 

(1,318) 

8,221,540 

6,241,930 

(1,318) 

2,371,755 

6,240,612 

3,532,430 

(175,963) 

6,408,948 

(1,318) 

3,356,467 

6,407,630 

57,648,217 
95,904,795 

(8,288,312)2 
(9,076,373) 

49,359,905 
86,828,422 

42,785,443 
125,717,992 

(8,126,310)2 
(8,438,509) 

34,659,133 
117,279,483 

117,791,948 
141,994,936 

(8,043,830)2 
(8,617,504) 

109,748,118 
133,377,432 

1 Here and hereafter the advance payments made are shown VAT included. 
2   There were no significant changes in the structure and composition of the provisions. Including the provision for Stalkonstruktsiya Concern in the amount of RUB 2,046,892,000, to N. Maksimov in the 

amount of RUB 5,583,697,000. 

3 Advance payments, given for the purposes of capital construction, purchase of fixed assets and other non-current assets, reflected in line 1190 “Other non-current assets” of the balance sheet. 

Notes 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Other debtors 

Type of debt 
Other long-term receivables– total 
  including: 
settlements with personnel on other operations 
interest-free loans granted 
interest-free loan to NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC 
interest on long-term financial investments 
Other short-term receivables- total 
  including: 
interest-free loans granted 

of which 
interest-free loan to NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC 

received non-interest bearing notes 
settlements on interest accrued 
calculations of assignment of claims 
including: 
debt related to claim assignment transactions  
NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC 
settlements with budget and off-budget funds in terms of taxes and duties 
budget settlements on VAT 
settlements with customs 
claim settlements 
settlements with CTG participants 
settlements related to reimbursable services  
lease settlements 
settlements with personnel on salaries and other operations 
settlements with reporting persons 
settlements related to dividends 
interest-free loans granted (cash pooling) 
other 
Total 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

11,903,872 

59,587,778 

4,882,788 

(RUB k) 

217,012 
3,113,758 
-- 
8,573,1022 
49,359,905 

257,209 
48,003,296 
45,736,6593 
11,327,2732 
34,659,133 

296,044 
2,400,492 
-- 
2,186,252 
109,748,118 

476,186 

1,923,308 

66,961,937 

32,483,3813 
1,300,862 
1,976,378 
-- 

-- 
25,525 
5,883,978 
333,429 
201,728 
1,468,309 
36,772 
83,288 
11,944 
18,165 
-- 
4,554,889 
505,071 
61,263,777 

-- 
1,822,526 
167,459 
-- 

-- 
43,310 
5,762,672 
321,288 
133,519 
238,902 
31,913 
15,942 
6,723 
60,324 
22,155,942 
1,776,782 
198,523 
94,246,911 

64,636,685 
1,766,000 
10,266,0861 
9,594,590 

9,594,590 
39,545 
6,872,621 
483,163 
153,754 
1,092,704 
33,178 
36,746 
2,390 
20,578 
5,550,034 
6,615,627 
259,165 
114,630,906 

1 Including the interest on NLMK Ural’s loan as of 31.12.2018 in the amount of RUB 10,181,855,000 maturing in 2019. 
2 Including the interest on NLMK Ural’s long-term loan as of 31.12.2019 in the amount of RUB 8,483,517,000 maturing on 31.12.2022 (as of 31.12.2019 in the amount of RUB 10,181,855,000 maturing in 2022, 

1,145,380 maturing in 2021). 

3 Interest-free loan as of 31.12.2020 maturing on 31.12.2021, (as of 31.12.2019 maturing on 31.12.2021). 

Notes 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overdue accounts receivable 

Type of debt 

Total 
including: 
settlements with buyers and 
customers 
advance payments made - total 

including: 
under current operations 

 other 

3. 5. 2 Accounts payable 

Structure of accounts payable  

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

Accounted for 
by the Contract 
terms 

Book 
value 

Accounted for 
by the Contract 
terms 

Book 
value 

Accounted for 
by the Contract 
terms 

(RUB k) 

Book 
value 

3,307,793 

1,863,327 

2,481,211 

1,674,609 

2,407,029 

1,421,432 

915,518 
1,543,518 

1,543,518 
848,757 

722,228 
950,065 

950,065 
191,034 

1,277,607 
574,710 

1,107,761 
433,675 

574,710 
628,894 

433,675 
133,173 

1,256,149 
566,669 

566,669 
584,211 

859,756 
390,706 

390,706 
170,970 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

Type of debt 
Long-term accounts payable - total 
including: 
settlements with suppliers and contractors  
Short-term accounts payable - total 
including: 
advances received1 
suppliers and contractors 
settlements related to payables to employees 
settlements related to taxes and duties  
settlements related to debt to state off-budget funds 
debt to shareholders in terms of dividends 
other 
Total 

-- 

385,320 

-- 
100,325,861 

48,468,030 
37,913,965 
1,027,276 
3,676,872 
665,696 
7,862,227 
711,795 
100,325,861 

385,320 
86,497,982 

31,556,300 
31,356,508 
962,781 
1,777,048 
655,058 
19,666,723 
523,564 
86,883,302 

1 Hereinafter advance payments received from buyers and customers are indicated net of VAT to be paid to the budget. 

15,510 

15,510 
118,357,751 

45,586,665 
32,537,043 
834,152 
1,986,221 
615,138 
36,475,355 
323,177 
118,373,261 

30 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Overdue accounts payable 

Description 
Total 
including: 
settlements with suppliers and contractors  
advance payments received  
other 

3. 6 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Description 
Settlement accounts 
Currency accounts 
Deposits (up to 3 months)  
Other cash equivalents 
of which: financial documents 
Total 

Other income and payments from current operations 

Description 
Other income from current operations 
Income from litigation, claims  
Interest on cash equivalents 
Remuneration under the program of Depositary Receipts 
Purchase - sale of currency 
Other income 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

7,190,579 

7,108,975 
39,250 
42,354 

6,226,536 

5,454,612 
716,298 
55,626 

7,419,724 

4,328,335 
3,060,404 
30,985 

(RUB k) 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

1,325,552 
21,293,916 
23,871,338 
968,110 
155 
47,458,916 

478,934 
14,948,889 
11,203,786 
5,191 
191 
26,636,800 

2,869,096 
17,510,928 
39,954,627 
5,084 
52 
60,339,735 

(RUB k) 

For 2020 

For 2019 

1,426,375 
547,892 
213,950 
198,769 
301,700 
164,064 

1,447,510 
607,295 
363,027 
169,143 
-- 
308,045 

Notes 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 
Other payments under the current operations 
Tax payments 
Including VAT 
Other settlements with personnel 
Settlements with various creditors 
Settlements related to claims 
Charity expenses 
Settlements with the pension fund 
Purchase - sale of currency 
Other remittance 

For 2020 
(10,225,281) 
(6,498,130) 
(4,911,932) 
(888,324) 
(120,054) 
(649,068) 
(565,935) 
-- 
(1,422,866) 
(80,904) 

End 
For 2019 
(10,167,129) 
(7,626,361) 
(6,091,005) 
(901,270) 
(337,171) 
(691,442) 
(273,359) 
(85,833) 
(197,162) 
(54,531) 

Within the cash flows of current  operations under line 4124 “Corporate income tax”, CTG participants’ cash transfers to the Company as well as CGT income tax 
payments to the budget have been shown in summarized form.  

Other inpayments from investment activitie 

Description 
Other payments on investment activities 
Placement of deposits for a period of over 3 months and up to one year 
Refund of deposits from over 3 months to one year 
Other payments on investment activities 

For 2020 

For 2019 

(RUB k) 

(874,258) 
,(61,119,611) 
60,388,183 
(142,831) 

(10,677,957) 
(57,156,471) 
46,590,471 
(111,957) 

As part of other payments under financial transactions, there is reflection of cash flow for the transfer of tax withheld when paying dividends in the amount of RUB 
5,107,316 thou. (in 2019 - RUB 5,832,550 thou.). 

Notes 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows with Subsidiaries and Affiliates (including VAT) 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 

Cash flow from current operations 
Subsidiarys 
Other companies1 
of which: 
NLMK Trading SA 
Cash flow from investment operations 
Subsidiaries3 
Cash flow from financial operations 
Subsidiarys 
Other companies1 
Total 

Inflow 

Payments 

For 2020 

For 2019 

For 2020 

For 2019 

(RUB k) 

248,547,963 
16,301,199 
232,246,764 

232,241,959 
72,005,750 
72,005,750 
30,819,672 
2,487,494 
28,332,179 
351,373,386 

206,560,874 
15,781,524 
190,779,350 

190,774,184 
72,835,139 
72,835,139 
22,382,637 
22,382,637 
-- 
301,778,650 

(175,906,552) 
(174,909,862) 
(996,960) 

(996,960) 
(19,192,070) 
(19,192,070)2 
(17,246,710) 
(509,999) 
(16,736,711) 
(212,345,332) 

(159,016,858) 
(158,622,747) 
(394,111) 

(294,795) 
(4,124,018) 
(4,124,018) 
(1,760,622) 
-- 
(1,760,622) 
(164,901,498) 

1 Cash flows of NLMK Trading SA, Novexco (Cyprus) Limited, NLMK DanSteel A/S. 
2 Including a contribution to the property of LLC NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC in order to increase net assets in the amount of RUB 14,871,000,000 reflected under line 4222 “related to acquisition of stock 

(shares) in other companies” of the Cash Flow Statement. 

3   Receipt and granting of loans in the framework of cash pooling were reflected in summarized form. 

3. 7 CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS 

Description 
Authorized capital 
Reserve capital 
Paid in capital– total 

including:  
revaluation of fixed assets 
other sources 
Retained profit  (loss) 
Total  

Notes 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

5,993,227 
299,661 
4,031,261 

3,259,484 
771,777 
245,414,209 
255,738,358 

5,993,227 
299,661 
4,047,584 

3,275,807 
771,777 
289,131,900 
299,472,372 

5,993,227 
299,661 
4,062,599 

3,290,822 
771,777 
325,751,607 
336,107,094 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company`s shares 

As of 31.12.2020 the authorized capital is paid up in full and consists of 5,993,227,240 common shares at par value 1 ruble each.  

Shareholders holding more than 5% of the nominal capital 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Description 

FLETCHER GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED 

As of 31.12.2020 

Share, % 
As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

79.25 

81 

84 

Other free-floating shares (including: global depositary shares traded on London Stock Exchange (Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is NLMK’s depositary 
bank) and shares traded on Moscow Stock Exchange. 

Earnings per share  

Description 
Net profit for the reporting period, RUB k 
Weighted average number of outstanding common shares, pcs. 
Basic profit (loss) per share, RUB 

For 2020 

For 2019 

61,125,114 
5,993,227,240 
10.20 

83,420,072 
5,993,227,240 
13.92 

Diluted profit per share was not calculated due to absence of factors, having the diluting effect on the basic profit per share indicator. 

Dividends  

The Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting held on 29.05.2020 approved payment of dividends in the amount of RUB 17.36 per common stock upon 2019 performance 
results that made in total RUB 104,042,556,000 with account of interim dividends of RUB 85,343,556,000 accrued in 2019. 

In 2020 the following interim dividends were declared: 3.21 ruble per common stock for Q1 which made RUB 19,238,259,000; 4.75 ruble per common stock for H1 
which made RUB 28,47,829 thou.; 6.43 ruble per common stock for 9 months which made RUB 38,536,450 thou. 

As of 31.12.2020 the dividends for 2019, Q1 and H1 of 2020, accrued to the main company running business, are paid in full. 

Detailed information on the dividend structure and dividend policy is published on the Company's web-site (http://www.nlmk.com) 

Notes 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

3. 8 CREDITS AND LOANS 

Structure of credits and loans 

Type of liabilities 
Long-term liabilities– total 
including: 
loans 
credits 
Short-term liabilities– total 
including: 
loans 

of which: 
NLMK Trading SA 

  Loans under cash-pooling agreement 

of which: 
Stoilensky 
Altai Koks 
NLMK Trade House 
NLMK Kaluga 
Novolipetsk Steel Service Center 
SMT NLMK 

credits 
Total 

Bank credits 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

152,793,410 

105,703,843 

84,066,622 

(RUB k) 

125,588,690 
27,204,720 
43,916,850 

11,899,989 

11,236,646 
32,014,750 

24,739,612 
3,189,836 
1,422,305 
647,373 
600,000 
428,906 
2,111 
196,710,260 

105,703,843 
-- 
30,406,203 

84,066,622 
-- 
21,823,828 

814,132 

12,763,225 

-- 
29,497,258 

22,081,120 
1,453,136 
99,552 
2,745,339 
382,712 
312,476 
94,813 
136,110,046 

-- 
7,099,572 

2,426,330 
-- 
107,872 
-- 
289,879 
266,334 
1,961,031 
105,890,450 

As of 31.12.2020, 31.12.2019 and 31.12.2018 the Company signed agreements with ALFA-BANK, Sberbank and VTB Bank on the opening of the credit facilities with 
the limit not exceeding RUB 85,000,000,000, for working capital financing and for other corporate purposes. Unused credit limit for all the credit facility agreements 
makes RUB 57,795,280,000.  

Bank credits 

Lender description 

Deutsche Bank AG1 
ALFA-BANK 
Other credit institutions 
Total bank credits, incl. interest accrued 
including: 
with maturity up to 1 year, incl. current portion of long-term credits 
1 This loan was obtained from a syndicate of banks, the agent bank is specified as the creditor here. 

Notes 

Maturity 

As of 31.12.2020 

2019 
2022 
2020 

-- 
27,206,831 
-- 
27,206,831 

As of 
31.12.2019 

-- 
-- 
94,813 
94,813 

(RUB k) 

As of 
31.12.2018 

1,960,905 
-- 
126 
1,961,031 

2,111 

94,813 

1,961,031 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Loans 

Lender name 
Steel Funding DAC (Eurobonds)2 
Subsidiaries and other related parties 
of which: interest-free loans 
Loans under cash-pooling 
of which: interest-free loans 
Total loans, incl. interest accrued 
including: 
 with maturity up to 1 year, incl. current portion of long-term loans 

1 Including the interest accrued. 
2 As of 31.12.2020 three issues of Eurobonds  due in 2023-2026. The rest of the debt is a short-term debt. 

As of 31.12.2020 
126,252,0322 
11,236,647 
-- 
32,014,7501 
30,806,250 
169,503,429 

As of 31.12.2019 
105,795,5522 
722,423 
150,000 
29,497,2581 
25,246,398 
136,015,233 

(RUB k) 
As of 31.12.2018 
94,104,6842 
2,725,163 
150,000 
7,099,5721 
5,922,538 
103,929,419 

43,914,739 

30,311,390 

19,862,797 

Detailed information on the structure and terms and conditions of the debt portfolio is published on the Company's web-site (http://www.lipetsk.nlmk.com) 

3. 9 ESTIMATED LIABILITIES 

Name of the estimated liability 
Estimated liabilities - total 

including:                                                 
on upcoming expenses for vacations  
on upcoming expenses for bonuses  
on unsettled court proceedings and claims 

3. 10 INCOME AND EXPENSES 

3. 10. 1 Income and expenses from ordinary activities 

Income from ordinary activities 

Description 
Revenue from sales of products (services) outside the RF 
Revenue from sales in the RF  
Total  

Notes 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

(RUB k) 
As of 31.12.2018 

4,668,379 

3,870,986 

7,089,626 

1,917,835 
2,420,994  
329,550 

1,667,478 
1,904,749 
298,759 

1,536,035 
5,239,128 
314,463 

For 2020 

For 2019 

228,197,950 
208,881,156 
437,079,106 

(RUB k) 

217,814,677 
204,001,644 
421,816,321 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses for production 

Description 
Material expenses - total 
including: raw and other materials  
                        fuel, energy  
                        work and services rendered by third parties1 
Labour costs   
Social allocations  
Depreciation  
Other costs  
Total by components  
Balance change (increase [-], decrease [+]): construction in progress, semi-finished 
products, finished products 
Total expenses on ordinary activities 
For reference: Expenses for capital and routine repair 
1Including expenses related to the sale of products in the amount of RUB 30,089,305 thou. (over 2019– RUB 27,879,910 thou.). 

For 2020 

For 2019 

319,928,307 
223,499,492 
57,088,776 
39,340,039 
25,449,708 
7,656,094 
16,297,423 
12,665,125 
381,996,657 

-4,353,185 
377,643,472 
15,525,815 

(RUB k) 

303,071,463 
208,202,825 
56,913,336 
37,955,302 
22,717,625 
7,583,720 
13,983,065 
9,386,301 
356,742,174 

4,431,141 
361,173,315 
16,435,159 

3. 10. 2 Other income and expenses 

Other income and expense 

Description 

Sale of foreign currency 
    including: 
    swap transactions 
Exchange rate difference 
The right of claim assignment  
Valuation reserves   
Transactions with securities 
Sales of inventories 
Profit and loss of previous years 
Expenses on credits 
Retirement of fixed assets, capital investments 
Writing-off of inventories, tare, inventories from repairs 
Other expenses over the Group of Companies  
Charity expenses 
Other 
Total 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Income 

Expenses 

Income 

Expenses 

5,262,236 

6,382,322 

3,200,162 

3,381,428 

(RUB k) 

-- 
-- 
9,169,673 
64,863 
-- 
2,003,160 
333,584 
-- 
1,035,623 
1,071,072 
-- 
-- 
1,457,114 
20,397,324 

1,421,786 
18,143,952 
9,136,061 
15,062,671 
60,063 
1,664,739 
1,128,201 
584,249 
1,072,572 
304,526 
77,490 
855,348 
1,451,647 
55,923,841 

-- 
6,327,099 
13,660,496 
286,739 
23,911 
2,000,124 
114,344 
-- 
406,811 
1,658,454 
-- 
-- 
795,916 
28,474,056 

-- 
-- 
13,653,928 
39,858,270 
19,308 
1,708,838 
325,113 
328,719 
142,613 
487,323 
203,129 
276,412 
953,133 
61,338,214 
37 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

3. 11 CURRENT INCOME TAX FORMATION 

Calculation of profit tax according to the requirements of RAS 18/02 

Description 
Book profit (loss) before tax 
Contingent expenses (income) for income tax (according to accounting data) 
Deferred income tax 
Permanent tax expenses (income) 
Current profit tax1 
Taxable profit (according to the tax accounting data) 
Permanent difference leading to the taxable profit increase according to the tax accounting data 
Permanent difference leading to taxable profit decrease according to the tax accounting data 
Taxable temporary differences 
Deductible temporary differences 

For 2020 

67,106,712 
13,421,343 
50,658 
(7,110,384) 
6,361,617 
31,808,083 
15,136,579 
(50,688,500) 
(6,046,898) 
6,300,190 

(RUB k) 

For 2019 
95,797,959 
19,159,592 
(409,420) 
(6,228,901) 
12,521,271 
62,606,356 
-- 
(43,775,638) 
(154,780) 
8,042,342 

1Income tax rate - 20% 
Calculation of the taxation base with reference to the profit tax does not include profits in the form of dividends from participation in authorized capitals.   

Taxable temporary differences are associated with differences in recognition in accounting and taxation of initial appraisal of property to be depreciated, accumulated 
depreciation, depreciation premium, appraisal of construction-in-progress, WIP, semi-finished products and materials produced in-house, finished products.  

The  Deductible  temporary  differences  are  die  to  differences  in  recognition  in  accounting  and  taxation  of  deferred  expenses,  losses  from  servicing  facilities  and 
companies, losses from sale of depreciated property, estimated liability. In 2020, deferred tax assets for provisions for inventory impairment and for doubtful debts 
were recognized.  

Expenses not used for taxation purposes are mainly related to the accrual of impairment of financial investments. 

3. 12 INFORMATION BY SEGMENTS 

The Company discloses information on a single segment based on the type of activity. 

Indicator 

Sales revenue, RUB k 
Share of sales revenue in total proceeds, % 
Total production cost, RUB k 
Sales profit (loss), RUB k 
Share of profit in total profit, % 

Segment 

Not distributed 

Company as a whole 

2020 

435,284,110 
99.59 
376,699,922 
58,584,188 
98.57 

2019 

418,999,111 
99.33 
359,088,130 
59,910,981 
98.79 

2020 
1,794,996 
0.41 
943,550 
851,446 
1.43 

2019 
2,817,210 
0.67 
2,085,185 
732,025 
1.21 

2020 

437,079,106 
100.00 
377,643,472 
59,435,634 
100.00 

2019 

421,816,321 
100.00 
361,173,315 
60,643,006 
100.00 

Notes 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Type of product 

Pig iron 
Slabs 
Hot-rolled coils 
Cold-rolled coils 
Coated steel 
Electrical Steel 
Other by-products and energy resources 
Total 

Sales revenue 

for 2020 

for 2019 

33,557,966 
156,221,709 
98,685,882 
57,217,698 
62,921,168 
20,050,793 
6,628,894 
435,284,110 

9,705,606 
169,814,242 
90,688,176 
59,740,497 
61,137,598 
20,283,245 
7,629,747 
418,999,111 

   (RUB k) 

Change 

23,852,360 
(13,592,533) 
7,997,706 
(2,522,799) 
1,783,570 
(232,452) 
(1,000,853) 
16,284,999 

In the reporting year the proceeds from sales to foreign customers accounted for 52.43 % (51.98 % in 2019) of the total sales revenue in the segment.  
In 2020 the share of the largest customer NLMK Trading SA (at least 10% of sales) amounted to 49.93 % (in 2019 – 48.40 %) of the Company’s sales revenue in total 
(see Explanation 3.14.2) 

3. 13 SECURITY OF LIABILITIES 

Description 
Received - total  
 including:  
Bank guarantees for advance payment return and payment guarantees  

Granted sureties 
including: 
Contribution liability of Steel Invest&Finance (Luxembourg) S.A.1 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

3,743,552 

5,037,995 

4,379,463 

(RUB k) 

3,743,552 
124,946,058 

5,037,995 
76,720,020 

4,379,463 
72,259,568 

-- 
1The Company is liable to provide a contribution of EUR 15,000,000 in 2021 (EUR 65,000,000 in 2020-2021) under the contract between the Company, Steel Invest & Finance (Luxembourg) S. A. and the Belgian 
investment fund SOGEPA for effecting additional contributions to the authorized capital of NLMK Belgium Holdings. 

1,360,236 

4,507,139 

As  of  31.12.2020,  31.12.2019,  31.12.2018  the  Company  has  liabilities  under  the  surety  agreements  (RUB  123,230,163,000,  RUB  76,289,420,000,  and                                              
RUB 71,491,738,000 accordingly) issued against related parties loans. The liabilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreements will remain valid 
until 2030 and will cease to exist pro rata the repayment of the loans by the related parties.  

Notes 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 14 INFORMATION ON RELATED PARTIES 

3. 14. 1 The list of related parties1 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

The list of related parties includes the affiliates of the Company1  in accordance with the RF legislation as well as related parties acting on other grounds.  

The main business entity owning 79.25 % of the Company’s stock is FLETCHER GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED.   

The Beneficiary of the above companies in accordance with definition of this notion by the Russian legislation is Mr. Vladimir Lisin. 

There are no predominant (participating) business entities. 

In  addition  to  those  listed  in  this  disclosure,  the  related  ones  are  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Management  Board,  disclosed  in  the  General 
Information. 

List of NLMK’s subsidiaries and affiliates as of 31.12.2020: 

Description  

VIZ-Steel 
NLMK Communications 
Vtorchermet NLMK  
Stagdok 
Dolomit 
Uralvtorchermet 
NLMK-Metalware 
NLMK Kaluga 
Mining & Concentration Complex Zhernovsky-1 
Altai Koks 
NLMK Information Technologies 

Stake in 
authorized capital 
as of 31.12.2020, 
% 
100 
100 
100 
         100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

Description  

NLMK Overseas Holdings 
NLMK Trade House 
Construction and Erection Trust NLMK 
Stoilensky 
NLMK Long Products 
Novolipetsk Steel Service Center 
Hotel Complex “Metallurg” 
NLMK Engineering 
NLMK Ural 
Neptune 

All the companies specified are registered in the Russian Federation. 
Operations with the affiliate Neptune are insignificant and are not disclosed in the reporting and comparative period. 

Stake in authorized 
capital as of 
31.12.2020, % 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
 100 
   92.59 
   25.00 

Notes 

1 The complete list of the Company’s affiliates is subject to mandatory disclosure by the Issuer of issue-grade securities and is published on NLMK’s web-site (http://www.nlmk.com). 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Other related parties 

Other  related  parties  include  entities  belonging  to  the  same  group  as  the  Company  does,  as  well  as  organizations  and  their  subsidiaries,  which  are  significantly 
influenced  by  the  members  of  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  and/or  the  Company’s  management  by  way  of  voting  interest  ownership  /  participation  in 
management.  

Other related parties with whom the Company had operations in the reporting year and/or in regards of which there are balances under settlements of operations 
not completed on the reporting date 

Freight One 
Universalny Expeditor  
Tuapse Sea Trade Port 
Taganrog Sea Trade Port 
Saint-Petersburg Sea Port 
UNIVERSAL FORWARDING COMPANY (UFC) LIMITED 
Novexco (Cyprus) Limited1 
NLMK Trading SA1 
NLMK DanSteel A/S1 
NLMK Pennsylvania LLC1 
Steel Funding DAC 
VIZ-Broker 
NLMK - Ural Service 
Railcar Repair Company "Gryazi" 
InServicePlus 
Gazobeton 481 
NLMK Verona SpA 
NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. 
NLMK Indiana LLC 
NLMK India Service Centre Pvt Ltd 
Social Security Charity Fund “Miloserdiye” 
Verkh-Isetsky Steel Plant 
Blinovskoye 
Lisya Nora  
Ural Health-Center Nizhnie Sergi  
Association of ferrous metallurgy enterprises “Russian Steel” 
Advocate Bureau "Reznik, Gagarin & Partners", Moscow 
Steel Invest & Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. 

1Other affiliates controlled by Novolipetsk Steel through NLMK Overseas Holdings 

PO TatVtorchermet  
JSC “Vtorchermet” 
JSC ChuvashVtormet 
Vtorchermet NLMK Center 
Vtorchermet NLMK North  
Vtorchermet NLMK Siberia 
Vtorchermet NLMK Western Siberia 
Vtorchermet NLMK Ural 
Vtorchermet NLMK Black Belt Region 
Vtorchermet NLMK South 
Vtorchermet NLMK East 
Vtorchermet NLMK Perm 
Vtorchermet NLMK West 
Vtorchermet NLMK Republic 
Vtorchermet NLMK Povolzhie 
Vtorchermet NLMK Bashkortostan 
Vtorchermet NLMK Volga 
NLMK Plate Sales S.A. 
NLMK La Louvière S.A.     
NLMK Sales Europe S.A. 
NLMK Clabecq S.A. 
Novolipetsk Medical Centre Association 
SC  Lipetsk Metallurg 
Pride Media  
NLMK International B.V.1 
Corporate Solutions Centre 
NLMK India Coating Pvt Ltd 
NLMK Strasbourg 

Notes 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

3. 14. 2 Operations with related parties 

Operations related to individual companies are disclosed for the period of their actual inclusion into the list of related parties including VAT. 

The Company makes transactions with the related parties in line with market principles. 

Sales to related parties 

Description 

Subsidiary companies 
of which: 
LLC VIZ-Steel 
Novolipetsk Steel Service 
Center 
NLMK Trade House 
Other related parties 
of which: 
NLMK Trading SA 

Total 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Total 

16,538,692 

Products, 
commodities 
15,003,084 

Inventories 

Services 

Rent 

Total 

838,395 

676,690 

20,523 

15,146,468 

Products, 
commodities 
13,971,688 

Inventories 

Services 

Rent 

586,710 

559,204 

28,866 

(RUB k) 

7,934,728 

7,864,972 

18,030 

51,726 

-- 

7,884,953 

7,850,314 

1,755 

32,884 

-- 

3,227,731 
3,226,324 
219,776,110 

3,194,871 
3,214,967 
219,044,922 

16,740 
1,995 
7,380 

10,395 
8,500 
679,029 

5,725 
862 
44,779 

4,328,502 
498,279 
205,305,563 

4,254,079 
494,777 
205,001,093 

36,341 
489 
8,743 

25,347 
2,261 
256,908 

12,735 
752 
38,819 

218,336,576 

218,261,562 

-- 

236,314,802 

234,048,006 

845,775 

75,014 
1,355,71
9 

-- 

204,177,163 

204,148,188 

-- 

28,975 

-- 

65,302 

220,452,031 

218,972,781 

595,453 

816,112 

67,685 

Purchases from other related parties 

Description 

Subsidiary companies 
of which: 
Altai Koks 
Stoilensky 
Vtorchermet NLMK  
Other related parties 
of which: 
Freight One 
Total 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Total 
183,130,653 

Inventories 
177,169,518 

Services 
5,950,131 

Rent 
11,004 

Total 

Inventories 
162,341,960  156,688,940 

Services 
5,642,799 

Rent 
10,221 

(RUB k) 

36,841,163 
111,021,571 
26,875,164 
26,236,772 

36,840,972 
111,021,401 
26,875,164 
813,509 

-- 
-- 
-- 
25,094,358 

191 
170 
-- 
328,905 

39,274,837  39,274,646 
94,044,024  94,043,824 
21,270,732  21,270,732 
23,439,610 

-- 
-- 
-- 
726,898  22,371,316 

191 
200 
-- 
341,396 

20,545,571 
209,367,425 

-- 
177,983,027 

20,216,866 
31,044,489 

328,705 
339,909 

19,469,632 

290,051  18,838,183 
185,781,570  157,415,838  28,014,115 

341,396 
351,617 

Notes 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable  

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

Description 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Subsidiaries 
of which: 
NLMK-Ural 
NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC 
Stoilensky GOK GOK 
Other related parties 
of which: 
Freight One 
Total 

Accounts payable  

Description 
Subsidiaries 
of which: 
Stoilensky GOK 
Altai-Koks 
Other related parties 
of which: 
NLMK Trading SA1 
Total 

1Advance payments received 

t
b
e
D

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
s
i
v
o
r
p

e
c
n
a
a
B

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

t
b
e
D

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
s
i
v
o
r
p

e
c
n
a
a
B

l

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v

l

t
b
e
D

t
b
e
d
d
a
B

n
o
i
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i
v
o
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p

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c
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a
a
B

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t
a
u
a
v

l

12,616,669 

(64,107)  12,552,562 

35,451,349 

(42,309)  35,409,040  29,535,768 

(175,060) 

29,360,708 

10,517,204 
-- 
128,560 
2,710,235 

(13,073)  10,504,131 
-- 
112,145 
2,433,199 

-- 
(16,414) 
(277,036) 

11,376,449 
-- 
20,098,892 
1,647,721 

-- 

(23,215)  11,353,234  12,385,445 
9,594,626 
5,189,590 
1,927,250 

-- 
(4,819)  20,094,073 
1,561,404 

(86,317) 

(30,434) 
-- 
(106,263) 
(76,523) 

12,355,011 
9,594,626 
5,083,327 
1,850,727 

1,652,039 
15,326,904 

-- 

1,652,039 
(341,143)  14,985,761 

1,423,895 
37,099,070 

(84,029) 

1,821,481 
1,339,866 
(128,626)  36,970,444  31,463,018 

(64,999) 
(251,583) 

1,756,482 
31,211,435 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

15,487,965 

11,014,524 

11,280,261 

  (RUB k) 

11,706,721 
2,854,232 
40,687,128 

40,268,472 
56,175,093 

6,858,162 
3,362,928 
27,389,844 

27,145,681 
38,404,368 

6,500,365 
3,994,568 
40,745,593 

40,634,698 
52,025,854 

Notes 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Dividends received from subsidiaries 

Description  
Stoilensky GOK 
Altai-Koks 
VIZ-Steel 
NLMK - Kaluga 
Novolipetsk Steel Service Center 
NLMK Engineering 
Dolomit 
NLMK-Metalware 
Stagdok 
Uralvtorchermet 
Construction and Erection Trust NLMK 
NLMK Trade House 
NLMK Information Technologies 
Total 

For 2020 

For 2019 

60,033,260 
4,477,590 
2,250,000 
2,000,000 
208,000 
400,368 
145,279 
200,000 
15,166 
1,250,000 
100,000 
-- 
-- 
71,079,663 

Total amount of accrued dividends from subsidiaries is shown in cl. 3.3 of the Explanation. 

Loans granted to related parties 

In the reporting year the Company granted short-term and long-term loans, repayment of which is envisioned not later than by 2026: 

(RUB k) 

50,018,987 
-- 
2,700,000 
2,000,000 
403,000 
75,113 
165,202 
-- 
-- 
-- 
85,000 
37,000 
9,000 
55,493,302 

(RUB k) 

Description  

As of 31.12.2020 

For 2019 

Subsidiaries 
including:  
interest-free loans to NLMK Overseas Holdings LLC 
Other related parties1 
including: 
Blinovskoye 
Total 

Granted 
13,411,495 

13,411,495 
16,173 

-- 
13,427,668 

Repaid 

Granted 

Repaid 

26,664,772 

26,664,772 
8,040 

3,840 
26,672,812 

28,356,370 

47,256,396 

28,356,370 
30,000 

-- 
28,386,370 

47,256,396 
9,840 

7,840 
47,266,236 

1 Including  long-term loans in the amount of RUB  16,173  thou. (in 2019-  RUB 30,000 thou.), repaid – RUB 8,040 thou. (RUB 5,840 thou. in 2019). 

Notes 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding short-term and long term loans: 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Borrower’s name 
Subsidiaries1 
including: 
NLMK-Ural 
NLMK Overseas Holdings 
Vtorchermet NLMK 
Other related parties2 
Total 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

36,073,325 

1,666,638 
32,483,381 
1,923,306 
48,264 
36,121,589 

49,925,603 

2,265,638 
45,736,659 
1,923,306 
40,131 
49,965,734 

69,362,429 

2,802,438 
64,636,685 
1,923,306 
19,971 
69,382,400 

1 Including the interest-free loans to the subsidiaries as of 31.12.2020, 31.12.2019 and 31.12.2018 in the amount of RUB 36,073,325 thousand, RUB 49,925,603 thousand and RUB 69,362,428 thousand. 
2Interest-bearing loans 

The Company granted loans to the related parties under cash pooling agreement: 

Borrower’s name 

Subsidiaries1 
including: 
NLMK-Ural 
Vtorchermet NLMK 
NLMK - Kaluga 
Stoilensky GOK 
NLMK-Metalware 
Other related parties2 
Total 3 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Granted 

Repaid 

Granted 

Repaid 

89,110,465 

86,906,239 

76,290,757 

84,141,204 

(RUB k) 

39,795,231 
36,363,513 
237,428 
-- 
6,166,619 
1,215,615 
90,326,080 

38,580,507 
36,314,456 
237,428 
-- 
5,889,692 
1,192,080 
88,098,319 

37,554,920 
22,629,103 
3,914,373 
-- 
3,952,428 
911,889 
77,202,646 

40,228,785 
21,869,227 
6,403,715 
2,781,383 
3,952,428 
914,513 
85,055,717 

1 Including interest-free-free loans for 2020 in the amount of RUB  88,807,626  thou. (in 2019 - RUB 72,332,695 thou.), repaid – RUB 86,653,054  thou. (RUB 77,704,717 thou. in 2019). 
2  Interest-free loans. 
3 Repayment and provision of loans are shown in detail. 

Notes 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding loans granted under cash pooling agreement: 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Borrower’s name 
Subsidiaries 
including: 
interest-free loans 
Other related parties 
including: 
interest-free loans 
Total 

Returns on loans:  

Borrower’s name 
Subsidiaries 
Other related parties 
Total 

Loans granted by related parties  

The Company received loans from subsidiaries and other related parties. 

Lender name 

Subsidiaries 
including:  
Uralvtorchermet   
Construction and Erection Trust NLMK 1 
Other related parties 
including: 
NLMK Trading SA1 
Total 1 

1  Interest-free loans 
1 Including the interest accrued. No interest-free loans were granted or repaid in 2020 and 2019. 

Notes 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

(RUB k) 

4,557,503 

4,496,931 
57,958 

57,958 
4,615,461 

1,754,276 

1,743,358 
34,424 

34,424 
1,788,700 

for 2020 

For 2019 

1,540 
2,214 
3,754 

9,067,923 

6,578,581 
37,048 

37,048 
9,104,971 

 (RUB k) 

10,718 
2,163 
12,881 

(RUB k) 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Received 

Repaid 

Received 

Repaid 

-- 

615,386 

-- 
-- 
28,332,179 

28,332,179 
28,332,179 

465,386 
150,000 
16,854,155 

16,745,885 
17,469,541 

-- 

-- 

-- 

-- 
-- 

-- 

-- 

1,859,735 

1,859,735 
1,859,735 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lender name 

Subsidiaries 
including:  
Stoilensky GOK 
NLMK - Kaluga 
Altai-Koks 
NLMK Trade House 
VIZ-Steel 
NLMK-Metalware 
Other related parties 
Total 1 

Interest payable: 

Lender name 
Subsidiaries 
Other related parties 
Total  

For 2020 

For 2019 

1,233 
11,920 
13,153 

(RUB k) 

20,520 
18,252 
38,772 

In addition, the Company received loans from subsidiaries and other related parties under cash-pooling agreement. Outstanding loans received under the cash pooling 
agreement are disclosed in paragraph 3.8 of the Notes. 

For 2020 

For 2019 

Received 

221,946,070 

Repaid 
219,606,612 

Received 

198,607,578 

Repaid 
176,405,739 

(RUB k) 

102,254,294 
21,723,345 
7,503,549 
4,420,993 
14,093,576 
4,780,492 
363,463 
176,769,202 
Including  interest-free loans for 2020 in the amount of RUB 186 ,263 ,186 thou.  (in 2019 - RUB 171,543,389 thou.), repaid – RUB 180,667,623 thou. (in 2019 – RUB 152,219,528 thousand), repayment and 
provision of loans are shown in  detail. 

121,909,084 
24,386,383 
8,956,685 
4,412,674 
12,476,178 
4,525,860 
392,319 
198,999,897 

116,321,866 
35,528,033 
24,455,233 
14,294,179 
11,840,426 
3,797,428 
557,844 
220,164,456 

118,980,358 
33,331,167 
26,191,933 
15,616,931 
11,290,129 
3,794,365 
658,084 
222,604,154 

Interest payable for loans received from subsidiaries under cash pooling agreement: 

Lender name 
Subsidiaries 
Total  

For 2020 

For 2019 

134,460 
134,460 

(RUB k) 

166,992 
166,992 

47 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Security of liabilities 
The Company stood surety for subsidiaries and other related parties: 

Security granted by the Company 
NLMK - Kaluga 
VIZ-Steel 
Stoilensky GOK 
NLMK DanSteel A/S 
NLMK Trading SA 
VIZ-Broker 
NLMK Pennsylvania LLC 
NLMK-Metalware 
Dolomit 
NLMK Belgium Holdings S.A. 
NLMK Plate Sales S.A. 
NLMK Verona SpA 
NLMK Strasbourg 
NLMK La Louveiere SA 
NLMK-Ural 
Steel Invest & Finance (Luxembourg) S.A. (Explanation 3.13) 
Total 

Liabilities under the above securities are valid till 2030.  

Operations with key management personnel 

As of 31.12.2020 

As of 31.12.2019 

As of 31.12.2018 

 (RUB k) 

-- 
358,571 
4,611,729 
6,895,793 
85,750,040 
46,011 
3,193,697 
-- 
-- 
6,356,020 
4,940,955 
6,569,461 
1,245,759 
3,612,273 
5,513 
1,360,236 
124,946,058 

279,189 
430,600 
5,872,494 
5,637,077 
36,783,570 
-- 
7,247,402 
-- 
-- 
3,471,162 
4,884,130 
7,575,435 
-- 
-- 
31,822 
4,507,139 
76,720,020 

667,144 
812,997 
9,137,703 
7,364,511 
19,891,501 
50,013 
12,826,077 
11,248 
37,461 
3,973,599 
7,948,875 
9,538,438 
-- 
-- 
-- 
-- 
72,259,567 

Members of the Board of Directors and the Management Board are the top management of the Company.  
Conditions and procedure for payment of remuneration and reimbursement of expenses related to the execution of the Board of Directors member’s functions, is 
provided for by NLMK’s Regulations on the Board of Directors members' Remuneration (“Regulations”) approved by the General Shareholders Meeting. 
Terms and procedure of remuneration payment to the members of the Management  Board are determined by the contract concluded with the members on the 
proposal of the Committee for Human Resources, Remuneration and Social Policy. Data for 2019 is adjusted with consideration of the actual payments in 2020. 

Description   
Bonuses and salaries (without estimated liabilities for upcoming expenses 
for vacations)  
Remunerations 
Other payments3 
Total 

For 2020 

For 2019 

530,7361 
167,8462 
1,770 
700,352 

1  Bonuses to the members of the Management Board  in 2020 include liabilities on their payment based on a preliminary calculation upon the reporting year performance. 
2    Remuneration to the members of the Board of Directors in 2020 are determined on the basis of a preliminary calculation according to the Regulation. 

(RUB k) 

534,219 
170,693 
9,185 
714,097 

48 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

Notes 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 15  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

Accounting 
(Financial) 
statement   
for 2020 

In the ordinary course of business the Company participates in several legal proceedings acting as a claimant or a defendant. The Company’s management believes 
that its liabilities, which may arise from these proceedings, cannot have a material adverse effect on financial status and performances.  
Since the Company fulfils the requirements of regulatory authorities within the framework of environment protection and takes actions aimed at improvement of 
environmental situation in the region, at present there are no liabilities related to damage to the environment and its elimination. 
The Russian tax law admits various interpretations and is subject to frequent changes. The Company’s Management does not rule out some possible disputes with 
supervisory agencies on any transactions that took place in the reporting and previous periods, which could result in changes of performance results. Tax audits may 
cover three calendar years of business immediately preceding the year of audit. Earlier periods may be subject to auditing under certain circumstances. In the Company 
management’s opinion, as of 31.12.2020 the respective legal regulations have been interpreted correctly by it, and the Company’s position in terms of tax laws is going 
to be stable. 

3. 16 EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE 

There have been no material events after December 31, 2020  till the signing date of these statements subject to disclosure herein. 

Manager, NLMK 
by virtue of Power of Attorney  No.505-20/8 dd. 09.01.2020 

                   Е. Morozova 

10 February 2021 

Notes 

49