Centravis Production Ukraine (Nikopol, Dnipropetrovska oblast, Ukraine), a part of Centravis Ltd. holding, increased production of seamless stainless pipes by 12.6% in 2024 compared to 2023, to 13.7 thousand tons.
This is almost the same growth rate as in 2023, when the company increased production by 12%, Centravis CEO Yuriy Atanasov said during an online press conference on Tuesday. Centravis exported almost all of its products, with exports totaling 13.7 thousand tons.
“Nikopol district is a unique city. It has difficult working and living conditions. And 2024 was another year of escalating hostilities. A huge number of drones are killing our city, targeting the infrastructure to cut off water and electricity. Our constant priority is to resume work after each attack,” said Atanasov.
At the same time, the CEO drew attention to the inadequate response to the situation at the enterprise: “There are a lot of promises, but no concrete actions. There are no decisions on lending to the company, no one is going to provide a commodity loan.”
“The second issue is booking. No one comes to Nikopol. We have constant demands for mobilization, but 50% booking is not enough. And the last problem is litigation with the authorities, with the tax office, regarding VAT refunds. There are court decisions that the government does not enforce, the state ignores the decisions. There are only promises,” the CEO stated.
He clarified that the company cannot refund more than EUR 6 million of VAT to finance its operations. “At the same time, we increase our production by about 10% annually. And we not only survive in such difficult conditions, but also advance our strategic projects.
The company plans to increase production to 15 thousand tons in 2025.
Centravis CFO Alexander Joseph said that the company invested EUR 3 million in production in 2023, EUR 2 million in 2022, and plans to invest EUR 4 million in 2025.
According to the information note, the top 5 countries consuming Ukrainian seamless pipes made by Centravis are Germany, the United States, Italy, Austria, and Spain. In total, Centravis exported its products to 39 countries, including Oman, South Korea, Australia, Uruguay, etc.
“It takes a lot of work to achieve a positive result, and even more to maintain the growth rate for the second year in a row, especially in such a difficult time as now and not far from the front line. But our team gives 100% and even more. That is why we have such results and continue to grow,” said Centravis CEO.
According to him, in addition to quantitative indicators, the company managed to make many qualitative changes and implement interesting and notable projects last year. In particular, Centravis produced 28 tons of pipes by special order for SpaceX. The company also received an order for seamless pipes for a new hydrogen production plant in Ulsan, South Korea. The company continued cooperation with Ferrari, a sports car manufacturer, and completed several large orders for the US market.
Traditionally, Centravis represented the Ukrainian industry with its own exposition at the international exhibition Adipec in Abu Dhabi.
“We are not resting on our laurels. Our medium-term priorities include increasing the share of innovative products in our portfolio, i.e. those that would be protected by intellectual property rights and effectively solve our customers’ problems. We will continue to work and do our best to help the country survive and preserve opportunities for post-war development,” Atanasov said.
Last year, Centravis paid UAH 564.7 million in taxes and duties, or UAH 16 million more than in the previous year.
As reported, in 2023, Centravis increased its production by 12% to 12.2 thousand tons. More than 98% of its products are exported.
Currently, Centravis is one of the world’s ten largest producers of seamless stainless steel pipes.
“Founded in 2000, Centravis is one of the world’s ten largest producers of seamless stainless steel pipes. Its main production facilities are located in Nikopol (Dnipropetrovska oblast). In 2023, the company opened a branch in Uzhhorod.
Centravis Holding Ltd. was established on the basis of Nikopol Stainless Pipe Plant CJSC, service and trading companies of Production and Commercial Enterprise YUVIS LLC. Its shareholders are members of the Atanasov family. Centravis Ltd. owns 100% of the shares in Centravis Production Ukraine.
