Russian steel producer ESTAR Holding (ESTAR) has announced that its subsidiary Novosibirsk Metallurgical Works named after Kuzmin (NMZK) has recommissioned all its main technological lines - hot rolling mill 810, pipe mills 20-102, 20-114 (No. 1 and No. 2), 10-50, cutting lines 450, 460, 740, 850, 420, in order to resume production after the stoppage implemented in December 2008 and to reach the previous output levels.
Accordingly, in February 2009, NMZK expects to produce 9,107 mt of steel products, including 2,069 mt of commercial steel bars and 7,038 mt of pipes. February deliveries are expected to amount to 9,453 mt.
In March 2009, NMZK plans to increase its output and to produce 13,977 mt of steel products, including 10,233 mt of pipes and 3,764 mt of commercial steel bars. Shipments in March are expected to total 15,400 mt.
According to the company's release, the previous instability in NMZK's operations was caused by the further rise in slab prices and by non-regular supplies of slabs. The decision to increase output is due to the beginning of seasonal repair works at housing and communal projects, which has led to an increase in the number of orders.