Nikopol-based seamless stainless steel pipe manufacturer Centravis increased its production to 12.2 thousand tons in 2023, up 12% year-on-year. However, the production situation may deteriorate if the government does not start paying back VAT arrears.
Almost all the products were exported. In total, in 2023, the company exported seamless stainless steel pipes to 38 countries. Most of them were shipped to Germany, Italy, and the United States.
The EU countries were in the highest demand, followed by the US market, and then the Asian and Middle Eastern markets. In particular, Centravis has fulfilled orders for companies from Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, the UAE, etc.
“In 2023, we realized that the war could last for a long time and we must be prepared for it. There is no point in postponing something that will make your product better today. Similarly, you should not refuse to enter new markets or stop working with your team. We can’t just stand still and try to get through these difficult days, because we have no idea what the timeframe of the war is. Therefore, we are moving forward, improving our products, working with new projects and clients. I believe that our team passed the year 2023 with dignity,” said Yuriy Atanasov, CEO of Centravis.
Another important achievement of the past year was the opening of a new production facility in Uzhhorod. It specializes in tool pipes for the world’s leading automotive brands (Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet). The total investment amounted to over UAH 50 million. The new plant employs about 100 people, and in 2024 it is planned to expand and build the second stage.
At the same time, there is a big problem that hinders the company as much as the shelling by Russian troops. It is the VAT refund.
“The state’s debt to the company is over €10 million. It has never been like this in 30 years of operation. We won the courts, but a court decision cannot pay salaries and buy raw materials. I hope this issue will be resolved soon, as it is difficult for us to operate under the double pressure of the war and VAT arrears,” emphasized Yuriy Atanasov.
According to Centravis representatives, in 2023, the company took part in a number of notable projects. These include a project to produce hydrogen-powered cars in the EU, construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), development of onshore oil and gas wells in the United States, and construction of a new power plant in Alabama (USA). The company also represented the Ukrainian industry at the Adipec international exhibition in Abu Dhabi with its own exposition.
Centravis is currently one of the world’s ten largest producers of seamless stainless steel pipes. The company has production facilities in the cities of Nikopol and Uzhhorod, as well as sales offices in countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates, and cooperates with Benteler Automotive, Buhlmann Group, Webco, and others – with various companies on different continents.
Last year, Centravis was ranked among the top 200 leaders in the Ukrainian economy.
