Zaporozhstal boosts rolled steel output by 48% in Jan-Nov

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) - Ukrainian steelmaker Zaporozhstal increased production of rolled steel products by 47.9% year-on-year to 1.848 million tonnes in the first eleven months of 2023.

Steel production jumped 60% to 2.238 million tonnes and pig iron output increased by 31.3% to 2.453 million tonnes, Ukrainian media reported, quoting company information.

In November alone, Zaporozhstal produced 262,700 tonnes of pig iron and 240,800 tonnes of steel, down from respectively 267,300 tonnes and 251,700 tonnes in October. The company shipped 195,600 tonnes of rolled products in November, down from 208,600 tonnes in October. Compared to a year earlier, Zaporozhstal produced about 80% more pig iron and 180% more steel, and shipped 160% more rolled products in November.

"The increase in production in November 2023 y-o-y is due to resumption of operation of blast furnace No. 2 after hot mothballing and adjustment of operation with three blast furnaces, Zaporozhstal said.

Zaporozhstal, one of Ukraine's largest industrial enterprises, specializes in manufacturing cold-rolled steel and hot-rolled coil and sheet, strip, blackplate and roll-formed sections.