Metinvest Reduces Debt by $620 Million and Increases EBITDA in 2024Metinvest B.V. (Netherlands), the parent company of Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group, has reduced its debt by more than $620 million since 2022.
As Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of the company, noted in the annual report, despite the anxiety and uncertainty of the war, there were achievements over the past year that demonstrate the group’s resilience and ability to develop in the face of challenges.
“Metinvest’s global team has shown extraordinary strength and unity. We have maintained our status as a leading exporter and pillar of Ukraine, and we remain among the largest donors to the country’s defense efforts.
In 2024, Metinvest felt the positive impact of operational changes made possible by the opening of Black Sea navigation. This significant event reinforced our results for the year. It is important that we have restored our operational efficiency,” stated the top manager.
According to him, when a full-scale war broke out in 2022, the company made efforts to rebuild its supply chains and business processes. By 2023, the company managed to adapt to the new realities, and in 2024, significant improvements in operating performance were achieved, amounting to more than $200 million.
“Even in wartime, Metinvest continued to reduce its debt. Despite all the uncertainty, the Group has repaid more than $620 million of debt since the start of the full-scale invasion, demonstrating our strong commitment to our partners. Together with our partners, we have also made progress on the Adria project, our plan to build a green steel plant in Piombino, Italy. It is poised to deliver significant benefits to all stakeholders by prioritizing innovative technologies and sustainable business practices,” Ryzhenkov emphasized.
At the same time, the CEO acknowledged that despite these very real achievements, the company also faced numerous challenges, including electricity shortages, underutilization of some production assets and margin pressure in the second half of the year. In addition, when the security situation deteriorated in late 2024, Metinvest decided to suspend production at Pokrovskugol.
“Like the rest of the world, we are closely following the latest news, including expectations about the potential for a ceasefire. No matter what happens in the coming weeks and months, we will maintain our unwavering faith in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and remain committed to Ukraine’s recovery. We honor our defense employees, whose number has grown to more than 8,000, including those with joint ventures,” the CEO wrote in his commentary.
As of December 31, 2024, total debt amounted to $1.705 billion (down 14% from $1.981 billion in 2023), mainly as a result of a strong campaign to reduce bond debt and the use of trade finance. Net debt to EBITDA decreased to 1.1x (down 0.5x yoy) and amounted to $1.048bn (down 21%, in 2023 – $1.335bn).
As reported, Metinvest’s consolidated net loss in 2024 increased sixfold compared to 2023 – to $1.152 billion from $194 million, revenue increased slightly to $8.050 billion from $7.397 billion, and EBITDA increased by 12% to $957 million from $861 million. At the same time, the steel sector’s revenue amounted to $4.824 billion ($4.846 billion in 2023) and the mining segment’s revenue amounted to $3.226 billion ($2.551 billion).
Adjusted EBITDA of the group’s steel division was $289 million ($159 million) and mining segment $768 million ($770 million). Metinvest’s operating loss in 2024 amounted to $938 million compared to $445 million in operating profit in 2023. In addition, free cash and cash equivalents increased slightly to $657 million from $646 million at the end of 2023.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of steel and mining companies. Its businesses are located in Ukraine, in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro regions, as well as in Europe. The main shareholders of the holding are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it. Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
Metinvest B.V. (the Netherlands), the parent company of a vertically integrated group of steel and mining companies, has paid a regular coupon on its 2027 Eurobonds and continues to meet its debt obligations, including to Eurobond holders, despite the war in Ukraine.
“We can confirm that the coupon was paid on time,” Andriy Burlakov, Metinvest Group’s press secretary, told Interfax-Ukraine in response to a query.
Coupon payments on the 2027 Eurobonds are due on March 1.
“On March 1 and September 1 of each year, starting from March 1, 2021,” the information on the payment of coupons on the 2027 bond states.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of steel and mining companies. Its businesses are located in Ukraine, in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro regions, as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The main shareholders of the holding are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group plans to invest almost UAH 5.7 billion in 2025 to develop its Kryvyi Rih mining and processing plants and UAH 2.5 billion in production at Kametstal (Kamianske, Dnipro region), despite the difficulties of wartime.
According to Yuriy Ryzhenkov, Metinvest’s CEO, this is a record amount in recent years, and a significant portion of it will be used to maintain the efficiency of key equipment and technological processes to ensure stable production.
The group’s press release states that its plants in Mariupol and Avdiivka were damaged by enemy shelling and the cities were occupied. Metinvest has also recently suspended operations at Pokrovske Coal Group due to the changing situation on the frontline, electricity shortages and the deteriorating security situation.
The rest of the Group’s assets in Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia and Kamianske continue to operate at varying levels of utilization, taking into account security, energy, logistics and economic factors. The priority is to take care of employees, and all of the group’s enterprises in Ukraine have bomb shelters.
The CEO added that over the three years of the full-scale invasion, the group has allocated UAH 8.4 billion to help Ukraine and its citizens, including UAH 4.4 billion for the needs of the army as part of the Rinat Akhmetov Steel Front military initiative.
“From the first day of the full-scale invasion and three years later, we continue to fight for Ukraine. Despite the challenges of wartime, Metinvest has managed not only to survive but also to maintain its status as an export leader, a pillar of the state, and one of the largest donors to the Armed Forces. All of this is thanks to the contribution of every Metinvest employee in Ukraine and abroad. We are united by a common goal – to bring victory closer by all means available. And after that, to become the foundation for post-war reconstruction,” Ryzhenkov said, as quoted by the press service.
It is emphasized that paying taxes is an important contribution to supporting the economy of Ukraine and the frontline regions. As of the end of 2024, Metinvest is the largest taxpayer in the mining and metals industry.
In addition, the Group has set up production for the army, is engaged in mine clearance, has launched mine trawls and allocated resources to purchase equipment, ammunition and machinery for the frontline.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of steel and mining companies. The group’s enterprises are located mainly in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovs’k regions. The main shareholders of the holding are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
In 2024, Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group significantly increased its total exports and sales of iron ore to more than 12 million tons and significantly reduced production costs, Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.
“We have fully returned to the operational efficiency improvement program. For example, we have reconfigured our business process to use our own raw materials. And by most indicators, I mean technical, technological, and production ones, we have returned to the best results of 2020-2021,” the CEO stated.
According to him, the main disadvantage is the electricity outage and problems with its import. Another problem is the increase in tariffs for the services of natural monopolists, primarily the increase in electricity transportation tariffs and logistics. In addition, the aggressor’s offensive towards Pokrovsk. As a result, the group was forced to suspend the mine’s operations due to the inability to ensure electricity supply and safety factors for employees.
“We were preparing for this and diversified our supply chain for the same coal – we contracted as much as we could from other companies and shipped it for Ukraine’s needs from our plant in the US. We will definitely not stop steel production because of the temporary shutdown of the Pokrovsk mine. But it will have a serious impact on the company’s economy. Instead of supplying coal via the nearest logistics route, from Pokrovsk to Zaporizhzhia and Kamianske, we will now have to buy coal all over the world, and the logistics component will have a significant impact on our production costs. In general, up to 10% of the cost of coal,” said the CEO.
Answering a question about Donald Trump’s economic policy and expectations for the consequences for the global economy, Ryzhenkov explained that “it is not really known which initiatives of Donald Trump are serious and which are working to raise rates or invite to a dialogue.”
“We see tumultuous actions that make waves in the entire global economy, currencies, and so on. How will it all end? When a major power like the United States turns to protectionism, it is a serious problem for the global economy and, by the way, for the United States itself. It’s just that they will feel the consequences later – in three to four years,” the top manager predicts.
In turn, he noted that Metinvest’s deliveries to the US are insignificant – not even within the margin of error: “The largest share is pig iron, which is not subject to duty, and I think this will not change – it is the raw material for the American economy.”
Speaking about staffing issues, the CEO said that more than 20% of the group’s employees, or 30% of those liable for military service, are currently mobilized. Ryzhenkov believes that we need a normal, well-thought-out reservation system that will allow us to work. Reservations are not a privilege for business, as some say, but an integral part of preserving the economic basis of the state’s defense capability. If the economy does not work, Ukraine will lose the war, despite the support of the West.
As for the export strategy, it has not changed much compared to the period before the full-scale war.
“There are our key markets – Ukraine, the EU countries, where we supplied more than 50% of our products before the full-scale invasion. And then there are all the others, the so-called balance markets, which are characterized by a more opportunistic approach to supply. When it’s profitable for us, we go there, and when it’s not profitable, we don’t go there,” the CEO stated.
The Group’s key markets for iron ore are the EU countries. And the company has expanded them, entering Scandinavia and the Nordic countries. What we cannot sell in the EU due to limited consumption volumes is sold to Southeast Asia: China, South Korea, and so on, said the company’s CEO.
“The main thing we have focused on is the production of iron ore with a higher iron content, which is now in demand. We have already mastered its production at our joint venture, Pivdennyi GOK. Before the full-scale invasion, we did it at our Central GOK,” explained the CEO.
Regarding the forecast – what factors will have the greatest impact on exports in 2025 and what are the potential critical risks – Ryzhenkov divides them into several blocks. The first is to maintain the competitiveness of Ukrainian producers in foreign markets. This requires that state-owned monopolies do not create additional tariff pressure on operating businesses.
The second is maintaining access to foreign markets (it is important to preserve the liberalization of steel trade with the EU, the US, and the UK) and strengthening sanctions against the Russian metals and mining industry, which continues to sell slabs and pig iron to the EU because of the position of certain countries.
The third is a consistent environmental and industrial policy of the state on eco-modernization and decarbonization. Ukraine needs a delay in the CBA because of the war. And confirming the criticality of booking and engaging veterans in the workforce will remain a relevant factor because of the risk of losing qualified personnel.
“As for new challenges, it is access to financing for modernization and green transition projects in the mining and metals sector, as well as ensuring stable demand for Ukrainian steel in the domestic market. But these topics are post-war, and we can talk about them separately when peace comes,” the expert believes.
Speaking about the energy independence of Metinvest’s enterprises, the CEO said that the group has its own generation, about 45-50 MW, which provides the most critical processes – about 10% of the company’s energy consumption. Another 40 MW of gas-fired generation is under construction, which will be commissioned in 2025, and solar panels are also being installed.
Regarding investments, the CEO emphasized that due to security risks, the company cannot invest in Ukraine as before. There were serious investment plans in Mariupol, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, and Kamianske. Nevertheless, in 2024, the total investment volume reached about $670 million at the group’s sites in Ukraine. This includes both OPEX and CAPEX. As soon as the company is able to attract financing, there will be plans for large projects.
This year, we also have many plans, for example, a tailings pulp thickening project at Northern GOK and the repair of blast furnace No. 9 at Kametstal are being implemented at our own expense. The volume of investments in these projects in Ukraine alone is about $50 million.
Investment plans abroad include the largest project for the coming years – the construction of a green steel plant in Italy. The estimated cost of the joint project is EUR 2.5 billion.
Among other potential acquisitions, the company is interested in Eastern and Southern Europe – regions where it is possible to create synergies with the group’s existing business processes and Ukrainian assets. The company may take part in a tender for the sale of the Polish plant Huta Chestochowa, which once belonged to the Industrial Union of Donbass.
“In Ukraine, we have a $8 billion strategy for the green modernization of Ukrainian enterprises for 7-10 years. We are ready to launch this strategy as soon as the war is over and Ukraine receives security guarantees,” Ryzhenkov added.
“Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of steel and mining companies. The group’s enterprises are mainly located in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro regions. The main shareholders of the holding are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
In 2025, Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group will invest almost UAH 5.7 billion in the development of its Kryvyi Rih mining and processing plants – Central, Ingulets and Northern mining and processing plants (MPPs), which were transformed into United Mining and Processing Plant (UMPP).
According to the press release, Metinvest will invest in the development of Kryvyi Rih mining and processing plants in 2025. The main investments will be aimed at maintaining key equipment, creating alternative sources of electricity and creating safe and comfortable workplaces. The company more than doubled its investments in iron ore assets compared to last year.
The largest part of the investments will be allocated for major repairs of equipment and facilities of the plants – more than UAH 1 billion. Investment projects are being implemented here to ensure the stability of production processes, reliable operation of transport and key equipment, and the fulfillment of product quality indicators to maintain competitive positions and reduce the cost of iron ore production. Funds are also planned for major overhauls of mining and processing equipment and power equipment.
Energy independence is also one of the priorities for the year to minimize technological risks for enterprises in the event of possible power outages. To this end, Northern and Central GOKs are planning to build gas reciprocating power plants with a total capacity of about 20 MW and solar generation with a capacity of 23 MW. A total of UAH 1.3 billion will be allocated for these projects.
“In 2025, the volume of investments in Kryvyi Rih GOKs will be increased, and like last year, the company’s investment strategy is focused primarily on maintaining the enterprises’ performance. As the war continues, the implementation of large-scale investment projects to modernize and build new production facilities in Ukraine is very limited. However, despite the difficult situation, the company continues to invest in development, adjusting its expenditure items to meet the needs and challenges of the day. For example, at GOKs, the key investment focus of the year is not only to maintain facilities and the fleet of operating equipment, but also to create energy autonomy for mining enterprises,” said Dmitry Nepomnyashchy, Director of Capital Construction and Investments at Metinvest GOKs.
In addition, in 2025, the active phase of the strategic project for the thickening of beneficiation waste at Pivdennyi GOK begins – this large-scale project is aimed at ensuring the transportation of thickened tailings to higher tailings storage levels after 2026. Additionally, it will reduce energy costs. In 2025, the company plans to spend UAH 1.4 billion.
The program to improve working conditions also remains relevant. This year, UAH 70 million will be allocated to create workplace conditions, including major repairs of amenity facilities in the administrative and amenity complexes of the plants’ structural units.
As reported earlier, Metinvest has implemented a new model for its Kryvyi Rih mining and processing facilities, bringing together its mining and processing plants in Kryvyi Rih under a single management.
“Metinvest comprises mining and metallurgical enterprises located in Ukraine, Europe and the United States. Its major shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
“Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest mining and metals holding, increased steel production by 4% year-on-year to 2.099 million tons in 2024.
According to the press release of the parent company Metinvest B.V. on its operating results for 2024, the production of total iron ore products increased by 42% to 15.733 million tons.
At the same time, the production of commercial iron ore increased by 58% to 14.826 million tons.
It is noted that capacity utilization in Ukraine was affected by factors such as security, personnel, electricity, logistics and economic factors.
Coke production in 2024 decreased by 10% to 1.122 million tons.
At the same time, Metinvest increased its total pellet production by 14% to 6.022 million tons, but reduced its total coking coal concentrate output by 22% to 4.277 million tons.
It is specified that in the fourth quarter of 2024, pig iron production at Kametstal decreased by 6% quarter-on-quarter to 452 thousand tons, mainly due to a short maintenance shutdown of blast furnace No. 9 in October. Crude steel production decreased by 14% quarter-on-quarter to 489 kt, driven by a shift in orders from finished products to commercial pig iron.
In 2024, pig iron production amounted to 1.818 million tons, up 3% year-on-year, thanks to the efficient operation of two blast furnaces. As a result, crude steel production increased by 4% year-on-year to 2,099 thousand tons.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the production of semi-finished products amounted to 235 thousand tons (-6% q-o-q). Last year, the production of semi-finished products increased by 3% compared to 2023 to 861 thousand tons due to an increase in orders.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, production of finished products decreased by 2% quarter-on-quarter to 481 thousand tonnes, with flat products production increasing by 4% to 193 thousand tonnes due to an increase in hot-rolled plate production at Ferriera Valsider (Italy). Long products production fell by 6% to 288 thousand tonnes, mainly due to a reduction in the order book at Promet Steel (Bulgaria).
In 2024, production of finished products decreased by 6% to 2,159 thousand tons. In particular, flat products production fell by 16% to 922 thousand tons due to unfavorable European market conditions, especially the availability of cheaper Russian plates. This resulted in a lack of profitable orders for hot-rolled coils and a reduced order book for hot-rolled plates, the company said. At the same time, production of galvanized cold-rolled steel increased by 42% due to the resumption of inductor No. 4 at Unisteel in Ukraine after it was shut down for overhaul in the second quarter of 2023.
Long products production increased by 4% to 1,237 thousand tons, mainly due to a larger order book at Kamet Steel. Since February 2024, Russian troops have focused their efforts on several areas, including Pokrovske, close to Pokrovskugol. As a result, production there was suspended in December 2024.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Group’s production of coking coal concentrate decreased by 7% quarter-on-quarter to 1,057 thousand tons. The main factor was a 14% drop in production at Pokrovskugol to 566 thousand tons. At the same time, coal concentrate production at United Coal (USA) increased by 3% quarter-on-quarter to 491 thousand tons.
In 2024, the Group’s production of coking coal concentrate decreased primarily due to a 22% decline in production at Pokrovskugol to 2,426 thousand tons, mainly due to changes in geological conditions and events at the end of 2024. Coking coal concentrate output at United Coal decreased by 21% to 1,852 thousand tons due to downtime at Carter Roag and lower production at some Wellmore mines in 2023.
“Metinvest is a group of steel and mining companies located in Ukraine, Europe and the United States.
Its major shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.
