Russian steelmaker Abinsk Electric Steel Works (Abinsk ESW), one of the key CIS-based billet and longs producers and exporters, has stated that it is continuing to work on the expansion of its presence abroad. The company has recently acquired the product certificate required for reinforcing bar sales to the markets of Sweden and Norway. The certificate was issued on October 28, 2019 and will be valid until October 28, 2024, according to the official statement.
Being able to sell rebar to the mentioned markets might help the company to strengthen its export positions, especially now when Abinsk ESW is operating with an increased rebar capacity. As SteelOrbis reported previously, in mid-August this year the company started to offer rebar from the newly-acquired Balakovo mill with its maximum monthly production of 70,000 mt. Abinsk ESW itself is able to produce around 110,000 mt of rebar and wire rod per month.
The competition in the northern European region may be tough as Russian producers NLMK and Evraz have rather solid sales positions in the market, not to mention supplies from the European mills. Turkey, however, is out of the game at least until the second quarter of 2020 as its quota has already been fulfilled.