Ukrainian steelmakers issue Jan-Apr production data

The major Ukrainian steelmakers have released their preliminary production results for the first four months of 2007. Accordingly, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol (Ilyich) increased its finished steel products output by 4.9 percent, its crude steel production by 6.1 percent, pig iron production by 8.3 percent, pipe production by 11.3 percent and agglomerate production by 4.4 percent year on year in the first four months of 2007. The respective figures in metric tons were 1.87 million, 2.38 million, 1.88 million, 36,300 and 3.89 million. During the period in question, Azovstal registered a 14.6 percent increase in its finished steel products output, a 17.2 percent increase in crude steel production, a 22.5 increase in pig iron production, but a 2.3 percent drop in its agglomerate production year on year. The respective figures in metric tons stood at 1.8 million, 2.05 million, 1.79 million and 628,000. In the January-April 2007 period, Enalievsk Metallurgical Plant (EMZ) produced 905,000 metric tons of finished steel products – up 12.8 percent, 895,000 metric tons of crude steel – up 8.4 percent, and 768,000 metric tons of pig iron – up 7.7 percent, compared to the same period of 2006. In the first four months of 2007, Istil produced 309,000 metric tons of finished steel products – up 45.8 percent, and 323,000 metric tons of crude steel – up 39.2 percent, compared to the corresponding period of 2006. In January-April 2007, Alchevks Iron and Steel Works (Alchevsk) increased its finished steel production by 4.2 percent to 1.09 million metric tons, but decreased its crude steel production by one percent to 1.24 million metric tons, its pig iron production by 4.8 percent to 963,000 metric tons and its agglomerate production by 1.1 percent to 1.7 million metric tons, all compared to the corresponding period of 2006. During the given period, Mittal Steel Kriviy Rih registered an 11.3 percent increase in its finished steel production, a 20.5 percent increase in its crude steel production, a 15.8 percent increase in its pig iron production and an 11.7 in its agglomerate production percent year on year. The respective figures in metric tons were 2.4 million, 2.8 million, 2.5 million and 4.05 million. Finally, in the January-April 2007 period Zaporizhstal raised its finished steel products output by 2.3 percent, crude steel production by three percent, pig iron production by 2.3 percent and its agglomerate production by three percent year on year. The respective figures in metric tons were 1.23 million, 1.47 million, 1.2 million and 1.85 million.