According to the data issued by the Ukrainian iron ore and steel producer Metinvest Holding (Metinvest), in February this year its subsidiary Khartsyzsk Pipe Works (KhPW) registered a 98 percent decrease in its large diameter (LD) pipe output manufacturing only 353 mt, down from 18,877 mt produced in January.
In January-February this year, KhPW produced 19,230 mt of LD pipes - down 78.6 percent compared to the same period last year when the plant produced 90,732 mt of LD pipes.
Media reports say that in February this year KhPW almost stopped its production. Meanwhile, the company said that its low February output was in line with its production plan for the month.
In 2009 KhPW benefited from the construction of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline project. However, in late 2009 the construction of the project was completed and KhPW's production figures consequently declined, local newspaper Delo stated.
KhPW has a production capacity of 1.6 million mt of pipes per year, or about 125,000 mt of pipes per month.