Severstal reports rise in production

Russian Severstal's production of crude steel rose 18.6 percent, that of finished steel products rose 9.5 percent, that of coke rose 0.3 percent, that of agglomerate rose 7.5 percent, and that pig iron rose 14.8 percent year on year to 6.05 million tons, to 5.13 million tons, to 2.085 million tons, to 4.321 million tons, and to 4.385 million tons respectively in January-June of 2006. Severstal was able to increase the production in the first half year of 2006 due to realization of investment program in 2005, the components of which were the installation of blast furnace No. 4 and slab line at the mill.