According to its data issued for the first two months of 2010, Russian steel producer Ashinskiy Metallurgical Works (Ashinskiy) has registered a 134.4 percent increase year on year in its steel output to 113,362 mt, including 109,509 mt of slabs - up 136.2 percent year on year.
In January-February 2010, Ashinskiy produced 99,824 mt of finished steel - up 44.2 percent compared to the same period last year.
In addition, during the period in question Ashinskiy's sales of heavy plates increased by 44.8 percent year on year to 85,169 mt. Of this figure, 65,832 mt of heavy plates were delivered to the Russian domestic market - up 102 percent, 17,516 mt were exported to non-CIS countries - down 26.8 percent, and 1,821 mt were delivered to CIS countries - down 20.9 percent, all compared to January-February 2009.
Currently, Ashinskiy is carrying out pre-commissioning preparations at its new one million mt capacity 120-ton electric arc furnace (EAF-120), the start-up of which has been put back slightly from the previously scheduled date of April 7 to April 9, 2010.
Following the commissioning of its new EAF-120, from April to June this year, Ashinskiy will close all its three existing open hearth furnaces which have a total annual capacity of 750,000-800,000 mt.