NZF's and ZZF's output decreases in 1Q

Ukrainian Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant (NZF), the largest ferroalloy producer in the country, decreased output 7 percent year on year to 224,500 tons in the first quarter of 2006. In the given period, NZF's production of silico-manganese increased from 161,400 tons to 164,800 tons, production of ferromanganese decreased from 77,000 tons to 56,900 tons, that of other ferroalloys decreased from 3,000 tons to 2,800 tons. Monthly production in March came to 72,400 tons of ferroalloys: 50,200 tons of silico-manganese, 21,200 tons of ferromanganese and 1,000 tons of other ferroalloys. Zaporozjky Ferroalloys Plant (ZZF), Ukrainian second largest ferroalloy producer, dropped production 10.8 percent year on year to 123,800 tons in the first quarter of 2006. Within the period, ZZF's production of silico-manganese gained 0.7 percent to 89,700 tons, production of ferromanganese decreased 15.2 percent to 20,100 tons, that of ferrosilicon 51.9 percent to 12,500 tons. Output of other ferroalloys amounted to 1,600 tons. NZF's and ZZF's combine production dropped 9.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2006.