Ural Steel, the steel producing subsidiary of the Russian iron ore and steel producer Metalloinvest Holding (Metalloinvest), has completed the reconstruction of its electric smelting workshop.
The reconstruction included the replacement of Ural Steel's slab and combined continuous casters with two new bloom concasters, and also includes the modernization of its twin ladle furnace unit, which will allow the plant to increase production capacity and the competitiveness of products from its electric smelting workshop.
According to Metalloinvest's general director Andrey Varichev, the Russian metallurgical sector is facing a big crisis during which demand for commercial steel and steel for general purposes will maintain its levels, while the demand for high quality steel will be rather limited. The reconstruction program carried out at Ural Steel will allow the company to produce all types of steel, and to continue the fight for orders and markets, says Mr. Varichev.
In addition, Mr. Varichev added that currently Metalloinvest's deliveries for export amount to almost 90 percent of its output, while in September 2008 the share of exports was at the level of 40-45 percent. Most of the company's exports are directed to Turkey, Iran and China.