The Ukrainian flat steel producer Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich) has released its preliminary production results for 2008.
Accordingly, in 2008 Ilyich reduced its finished steel products output by 21.9 percent and its pipe production by 27.7 percent year on year, to 4.274 million mt and 93,500 mt respectively. Ilyich's crude steel production decreased by 19.5 percent, its pig iron output by 17.3 percent and its agglomerate production by 11.6 percent, compared to 2007. The respective figures in metric tons were 5.597 million, 4.491 million and 11.386 million.
However, in December, like most of the Ukrainian steelmakers, Ilyich increased its finished steel output by 56.96 percent to 248,000 mt, its crude steel production by 44.4 percent to 296,000 mt, its pig iron output by 38.9 percent to 243,000 mt, and its agglomerate production by 33.42 percent to 527,000 mt, all compared with the November data. Moreover, in December the mill upped its pipe production to 3,000 mt from 600 mt in November.