Business news from Ukraine

“Metinvest presented its annual report on its operations

According to Metinvest Group’s annual report, in 2023 Metinvest’s revenue decreased by 11% to $7.397 bln by 2022, mainly due to lower steel, iron ore and coking coal selling prices, which were in line with global rates. Also, sales volumes of pig iron, slabs, flat and tubular products were affected by the war from the suspension of production at Mariupol steel mills. At the same time, Metinvest increased shipments of other products in its portfolio (primarily billets by 6%, long products by 28%, pellets by 70% and coking coal concentrate by 32%), as well as steel and coke resales on the back of higher production at Zaporizhstal.

A significant factor supporting iron ore sales in H2 2023 was the opening of the Black Sea corridor for sales to distant markets.

Also, Metinvest’s revenue in Ukraine grew by 14% to $2.628 bln mainly due to a recovery in demand for iron ore and coking coal, as well as for flat and long products.

In turn, the group has had to make profound changes to its business operations as it continues to strive for adaptability and resilience.

“We have adjusted our supply chain and are strengthening relationships with our suppliers and customers to withstand the current conditions. At the beginning of 2023, the company experienced significant challenges, particularly due to power outages. However, by implementing the necessary changes to respond to this crisis, we were able to achieve a gradual recovery of production,” states the CEO.

He emphasized that the resumption of Ukrainian commercial shipping in the Black Sea later in 2023 was an important moment for Metinvest, allowing to increase capacity utilization. “We are cautiously optimistic about this undoubtedly positive development, while recognizing the ongoing military threats,” the top manager added.

According to him, these developments have directly impacted the group’s financial performance, improving the situation and allowing us to focus on operational efficiency, flexibility and strategic planning for future growth.

“Metinvest remains committed to servicing its debt obligations, having repaid the remaining principal amount of the group’s 2023 bonds redeemed last year on time and in full, while maintaining its deleveraging approach, Ryzhenkov said.

“Although Metinvest has focused its investments in 2023 mainly on maintaining its assets, I firmly believe that we must start preparing for the future. Our ambitions have not diminished; we have laid the foundation for Steel Dream, our visionary vision for rebuilding Ukraine. Despite the war, our commitment to a green transformation strategy also remains unchanged. This vision embodies our determination not only to dream, but also to plan a pilot project on low-carbon steel technology in Italy,” summarized the CEO.

“Metinvest consists of 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%), jointly managing it.

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Ukrainian enterprises in January-February increased output of rolled products by 53%

Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises according to the results of work in January-February of the current year increased production of total rolled products, according to operational data, by 52.5% compared to the same period last year – up to 900 thousand tons from 590 thousand tons.

According to the information of Ukrmetallurgprom association on Friday, during this period steelmaking increased by 52% against January-February-2023 – up to 1.076 million tons from 708 thousand tons.

Iron smelting increased by 42.5% to 1.050 million tons from 737,000 tons.

As reported, in January-2024 increased output of total rolled products by 75.9% y-o-y to 453,000 tons from 257,000 tons, steel by 91.6% to 544,000 tons from 284,000 tons, pig iron by 44.5% to 555,000 tons from 384,000 tons.

Ukraine in 2023 increased production of total rolled products by 0.4% compared to 2022 – to 5.372 million tons, but decreased steel production by 0.6% – to 6.228 million tons, pig iron by 6.1% – to 6.003 million tons.

Ukraine in 2022 reduced production of total rolled products by 72% compared to 2021 – to 5.350 million tons, steel by 70.7% – to 6.263 million tons, pig iron by 69.8% – to 6.391 million tons.

For 2021, 21.165 million tons of pig iron (103.6% to 2020), 21.366 million tons of steel (103.6%), 19.079 million tons of rolled products (103.5%) were produced.

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“Zaporizhstal” increased rolled products and steel output by 2.6 times

In January this year, Zaporizhzhia-based Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works increased its rolled steel output by 2.6 times year-on-year, up to 196 thousand tons from 74.6 thousand tons.

According to the company’s information on Monday, steel production during this period also increased by 2.6 times to 235.5 thousand tons, and pig iron production by 56.9% to 261 thousand tons.

In December 2023, Zaporizhstal produced 265.5 thousand tons of iron, 228.6 thousand tons of steel, and shipped 206.5 thousand tons of rolled products.

“The increase in production in January 2024 compared to the same period last year is due to the removal of blast furnace No. 2 from hot mothballing and the establishment of three blast furnaces in March 2023,” the press release explains.

As reported, in 2023, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output by 57.2% compared to 2022, up to 2 million 54.7 thousand tons, steel by 65.4%, up to 2 million 466.9 thousand tons, and pig iron by 35.3%, up to 2 million 718.9 thousand tons.

In 2023, the plant operated at an average of 70% of its capacity.

“Zaporizhstal is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Ukraine, whose products are in great demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.

“Zaporizhstal is in the process of integration into Metinvest Group, whose major shareholders are System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%).

Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.

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“Zaporizhstal” increased shipment of rolled products by quarter, steelmaking – by third

In January-August of the current year Zaporizhzhstal Iron and Steel Works increased the shipment of rolled products by 26.1% compared to the same period last year – up to 1 million 240.4 thousand tons.

According to the company’s information on Monday, steelmaking for this period increased by 35.5% to 1 million 499.4 thousand tons, pig iron – by 17.5% to 1 million 665.7 thousand tons.

In August 2023, Zaporizhstal produced 257.9 thousand tons of pig iron, 239.7 thousand tons of steel, shipped 200.4 thousand tons of rolled products, while in the previous month – 262 thousand tons of pig iron, 240.7 thousand tons of steel, shipped 196.1 thousand tons of rolled products.

“The increase in the production level in August 2023 compared to the same period last year is due to the withdrawal of blast furnace No. 2 from the hot conservation mode and debugging of the operation mode of three blast furnaces,” the press release explains.

It is reminded that due to the aggravation of military operations in the region since the beginning of March 2022 Metinvest Group transferred part of Zaporizhstal equipment to the hot conservation mode. At the end of March of the same year, the mill partially resumed operation of the cold rolling shop for production and shipment of cold-rolled coils to European consumers. A month after the forced shutdown, the mill brought the equipment out of mothballing and partially resumed production. Since April 2022, the mill has been operating at an average of 50% capacity.

As reported, “Zaporizhstal” in 2022 reduced the output of rolled products by 60.4% compared to 2021 – to 1 million 304.3 thousand tons, steel by 61.7% – to 1 million 491.3 thousand tons, pig iron – by 54.3%, to 2 million 9.9 thousand tons.

“Zaporizhstal” is one of the largest industrial enterprises of Ukraine, whose products are widely demanded by consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries of the world. The specialization of the plant is high quality steel g/k coil, g/k sheet, cold rolled sheet, x/k coil from carbon and low-alloy steels, as well as steel strip, black tin plate, bent profile.

The main consumers of the products are welded pipe manufacturers, automobile, transport and agricultural machine building enterprises, manufacturers of household appliances.

“Zaporizhstal is in the process of integration into Metinvest Group, the main shareholders of which are System Capital Management PJSC (71.24%) and Smart Holding Group of Companies (23.76%).

Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of Metinvest Group.

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Ukrainian steelmakers reduced production of total rolled products in January-June

Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises in January-June this year reduced the production of total rolled steel, according to operational data, by 41% compared to the same period last year – to 2.375 million tons.
According to the association “Ukrmetallurgprom” on Saturday, in the first six months of this year, steel production fell by 37.7% compared with January-June 2022 – to 2.829 million tons.
Cast iron production during this period decreased by 37.5% to 2.836 million tons.
As reported, Ukraine in 5M-2023 decreased the production of rolled steel by 47.8% over the same period last year – to 1.982 million tons, steel by 43.7% to 2.392 million tons, and cast iron by 43.9% to 2.350 million tons.
Ukraine in 2022 reduced the production of total rolled products by 72% compared to the previous year – up to 5.350 million tons, steel by 70.7% – to 6.263 million tons, cast iron by 69.8% – to 6.391 million tons.
In 2021, the company produced 21.165 million tons of cast iron (103.6% by 2020), 21.366 million tons of steel (103.6%), 19.079 million tons of rolled steel (103.5%).

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Ukrainian steelmakers reduced production of total rolled products by 56%

Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises in January-April this year reduced the production of total rolled steel, according to operational data, by 56% compared with the same period last year – to 1.512 million tons.
According to the association “Ukrmetallurgprom” on Tuesday, in the first four months of this year, steel production fell by 54% compared with January-April 2022 – to 1.809 million tons.
Iron smelting for this period decreased by 54% to 1.747 million tons.
As reported, in 2022, Ukraine reduced the production of general products by 72% compared to the previous year – up to 5.350 million tons, steel – by 70.7% – to 6.263 million tons, cast iron – by 69.8% – to 6.391 million tons.
In 2021, the company produced 21.165 million tons of cast iron (103.6% by 2020), 21.366 million tons of steel (103.6%), 19.079 million tons of rolled steel (103.5%).

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