Ukrainian steelmaker Azovstal, a subsidiary of the Ukrainian iron ore and steel producing company Metinvest Holding, plans in 2010 to increase its finished steel output by 29 percent to 5.532 million mt compared to 2009, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency has reported.
In addition, in 2010 Azovstal also plans to raise its crude steel production by 20.5 percent to 5.591 million mt and its pig iron output by 21.1 percent to 4.866 million mt, both compared to 2009.
In 2009, Azovstal shipped its products to 49 countries. Among the leading country-consumers of Azovstal's steel products were Russia (480,500 mt), Indonesia (265,400 mt), Italy (226,500 mt), India (164,900 mt), South Korea (90,900 mt) and Poland (83,900 mt). The main delivered products were slabs and flats.
Azovstal's exports to Russia and CIS countries amounted to about 12.6 percent of its total deliveries. In the Ukrainian domestic market, the biggest demand in 2009 was registered for Azovstal's flat rolled products, rails and grinding steel balls.
In 2009, Azovstal's main steel product deliveries were directed to the European market - at 985,900 mt, down from 1.536 million mt in 2008, and to the Asian market - at 710,900 mt. The company's exports to African countries decreased in 2009 to 7,000 mt from 249,300 mt in 2008, and its deliveries to America declined to 22,700 mt from 123,600 mt, compared to the previous year.
As of February 10 this year Azovstal's business plan for 2010 has approved the funding of investment projects totaling $39.691 million. In 2009, the company suspended the implementation of its investment programs. In particular, in 2010 Azovstal will continue the construction of its main projects, i.e., continuous caster, ladle furnaces No. 1 and No. 2, and a vacuum degassing unit.