Ukraine's Zaporizhstal ramps up output of rolled steel nearly 41% in Jan-Oct 2023

MOSCOW. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant, part of Ukraine's Metinvest group, ramped up output of rolled products 40.6% year-on-year to nearly 1.653 million tonnes in January-October 2023, Ukrainian media reported, citing the company's statement.

Zaporizhstal said that steel production soared 49.7% to nearly 1.998 million tonnes during the period, and pig iron output rose 27.1% to about 2.19 million tonnes.

Zaporizhstal produced 208,600 tonnes of rolled steel in October versus 200,400 tonnes in September, produced 251,700 tonnes of steel against 239,700 tonnes, and produced 267,300 tonnes of pig iron versus 257,900 tonnes, with growth of 2-fold year-on-year in rolled steel and steel in October 2023, and 70% in pig iron.

"The increase in production levels in October 2023 compared to the same period last year was owing to the removal of blast furnace No. 2 from the hot preservation mode and the adjustment of the operating mode of three blast furnaces," according to the statement.

The Metinvest group transferred some of Zaporizhstal's equipment to hot preservation mode from the beginning of March 2022. At the end of March 2022, the plant resumed operation of the cold rolling shop, and it brought the equipment out of mothballing and partially resumed production a month later. The plant currently operates at an average of 70% capacity.

As reported, Zaporizhstal slashed output of rolled products 60.4% year-on-year to around 1.304 million tonnes in 2022, steel 61.7% to around 1.491 million tonnes, and pig iron 54.3% to nearly 2.01 million tonnes.