Ilyich decreases finished steel products output

According to preliminary data, Ukrainian steelmaker Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich) decreased the production of finished steel products by 2.2 percent, and production of agglomerate by 15.7 percent, however increased crude steel production by 2.7 percent and pig iron production by 6.3 percent year on year to 3.6 million metric tons, to 7.5 million metric tons, to 4.7 million metric tons, and to 3.6 million metric tons respectively in January-August of 2006. In addition, the plant's production of pipes increased 4.2 percent to 65,800 metric tons during the same period. In August of 2006, Ilyich produced 442,000 metric tons of finished steel products, 603,000 metric tons of crude steel, 470,000 metric tons of pig iron, 974,000 metric tons of agglomerate and 4,700 metric tons of pipes.