Ukraine-based Zaporizhstal, an integrated steel mill belonging to Metinvest group, has announced lower production results for March, citing maintenance works at its production facilities.
According to the company’s official statement, in March Zaporizhstal produced 300,800 mt of crude steel and 355,800 mt of pig iron, down 15.5 percent and 8.1 percent respectively, both year on year. In the finished steel segment, the company’s output decreased by 21.8 percent year on year to 233,600 mt. The decrease in the company’s production is a result of maintenance works at blast furnace No. 5, slab caster No. 1150 and flats rolling mill No. 1680. The final decision on blast furnace relaunch has not been made yet and will depend on the development of the market situation and, in particular, on availability of orders.
In the January-March period this year, the company’s crude steel output decreased by 6.6 percent year on year to 959,700 mt, while its finished steel production declined by 9.2 percent year on year to 797,600 mt. Meanwhile, in the given period, its pig iron production totaled 1.125 million mt, increasing by 0.9 percent year on year, SteelOrbis has learned.