Ural Steel, a steel producing subsidiary of Russian iron ore and steel producer Metalloinvest Holding (Metalloinvest), has announced that following repair works, on October 1 it recommissioned the casting machine No. 4 and blast furnace (BF) No. 2 at its BF shop.
Accordingly, the restart of the units in question will allow Ural Steel to stabilize the operations of its own steelmaking shops, which consume foundry pig iron, and also to increase its deliveries of basic pig iron to outside markets, creating additional profit for the company.
Specifically, the restart of its casting machine No. 4 and of its BF No. 2 will enable Ural Steel to increase its output of foundry pig iron from 230,000 mt to 270,000 mt per month, and to raise its deliveries of basic pig iron by 25 percent. This will completely cover the plant's needs, and will increase its export opportunities. Currently, Ural Steel exports about 90 percent of its basic pig iron, supplying it to Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran.