Zaporozhstal boosts steel roll output more than 57% in 2023

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - The Zaporozhstal steelworks raised steel roll output 57.2% in 2023 to 2.055 million tonnes, Ukrainian media reported, quoting a company press release.

The plant produced 2.47 million tonnes of crude steel and 2.719 million tonnes of pig iron, up 65.4% and 35.3%, respectively.

Average capacity utilization was 70% in 2023.

"Production rose in December 2023 compared to December 2022 after the No.2 blast furnace, which had been idling, was recommissioned and three blast furnaces were operational," the press release said.

According to the company, compared with 2022, the plant increased output of metal products by increasing capacity utilization, looking for new logistics routes for raw materials and sales markets for its products, as well as expanding its own product portfolio.

"We plan to sustain production volumes in 2024, but we plan to increase production capacity utilization given favorable conditions on foreign markets and demand for rolled steel in the domestic market," the press service quoted Zaporozhstal General Director Roman Slobodyanyuk as saying.

Zaporozhstal slashed steel roll production 60.4% to 1.304 million tonnes, crude steel also 61.7%, to 1.491 million tonnes, and pig iron 54.3% 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.