Russian steel producers up output in Jan

In January 2007, Russia saw a 10.1 percent increase in its finished steel products output year on year to 5.2 million metric tons. In particular during the given period, the country's production of long products increased by 16.2 percent and production of flats increased by 2.8 percent. The respective figures in metric tons stood at three million and 2.1 million. According to preliminary data for January 2007, the following steel mills increased their finished steel outputs: MMK- by 13.4 percent, NTMK (part of Evraz Group) – by 15.1 percent, Severstal – by 9.5 percent, and Mechel – by 44.8 percent, all compared to corresponding period of 2006. However, NLMK saw a decrease in its finished steel products output of 1.5 percent year on year. During the month in question, Russia also saw a 34.5 percent increase in its pipe production to 673,000 metric tons. In particular in January 2007, the country increased its production of seamless pipe by 22.2 percent, welded pipes by 69 percent, electro-welded by 42.1 percent, large diameter welded pipes by 55 percent, seamless pipes used in oil pipelines by 15 percent and electro-welded pipes used in oil pipelines by 32 percent. According to the preliminary data for January 2007 the following pipe producers saw an increase in their outputs: Vyksa - by 49.3 percent, Pervoural Novotrubniy Plant - by 31 percent, Chelyabinsk Pipe Plant - by 64.4 percent, Volzhstiy - by 30.1 percent, Taganrog Pipe Plant - by 9.8 percent, and Sinarsk Pipe Plant - by 7.9, all compared to the January 2006 data.