The Russian steel producer Severstal has announced that its US-based subsidiary Severstal North America (SNA) will see up to 35 percent reduction in its output as a result of the explosion at the latter's blast furnace (BF) "B" which occurred on January 5.
SNA's BF "B" is the smaller of the two blast furnaces the facility has and is used for production of pig iron. The BF was shut down following a breach of its shell.
Severstal expects to complete the full restoration of BF "B" in 18-24 months.
SNA's BF "C" is currently operating at its full capacity.
In addition, Severstal has stated that it is continuing with SNA's recently announced modernization worth $1 billion, which is directed at the expansion of the facility's range of automotive steel sheet products and at widening of SNA's range of steel grades.