Zaporozhstal ups steel output 24%, roll shipments 14% in 7M

MOSCOW. Aug 1 (Interfax) - The Zaporozhstal steelworks raised steel roll shipments 14.4% year-on-year in January-July 2023 to 1.04 million tonnes, Ukrainian media reported, quoting company information.

The plant produced 1.26 million tonnes of crude steel and 1.408 million tonnes of pig iron, up 24.5% and 10.6%, year-on-year, respectively.

The plant produced 262,000 tonnes of pig iron in July 2023 compared with 131,900 tonnes in June 2023, and 240,700 tonnes of crude steel, up from 159,400 tonnes. Roll shipments fell to 196,100 tonnes from 199,100 tonnes.

"Production increased in July 2023 as the No.2 blast furnace capacity that had been idled was recommissioned and due to the ramp-up of the three blast furnaces," the company said.

The Metinvest Group idled some of Zaporozhstal's capacity at the beginning of March 2022. The cold-rolling section restarted at the end of that month. The plant recommissioned idled capacity a month later and partially resumed operations. It has been running at 50% of its capacity since April 2022.

Zaporozhstal slashed steel roll production 60% to 1.304 million tonnes, crude steel also 60%, to 1.491 million tonnes, and pig iron 54.5% to 2.01 million tonnes in 2022.

Zaporozhstal, one of Ukraine's biggest steel works, produces hot- and cold-rolled steel coils, sheet, strip and roll-formed sections.

The steel plant is part of the Metinvest group, the main shareholders of which are System Capital Management with 71.24% and Smart Holding with 23.76%.