Dniprovsky Integrated Iron and Steel Works (DMK), one of the largest billet exporters from Ukraine, has decided to restart its blast furnace (BF) No. 9, which was idled earlier due to unfavourable market conditions.
The facility underwent maintenance work within the July-September period this year, but remained idled due to the sharp decrease in international prices for steel and in demand overall. However, the company, having closed some billet sales abroad for December shipments, has decided to restart operations at the blast furnace. As a result, as of November 24 the blast furnace was loaded with raw materials, while the first 70 mt of pig iron are expected to be produced on November 28.
With DMK coming back to the market, even partially as its BF No. 12 remains stopped for now, the billet supply situation from the CIS is expected to improve somewhat. However, prices will have to remain high for the supplier to remain active in the market. In addition, the operations of other local producers, such as Elektrostal and Dnipro Metallurgical Plant, remain halted for now, SteelOrbis understands.