Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises in February 2019 increased steel production by 5% compared to the same period in 2018, to 1.689 million tonnes, staying on 13th place in the ranking of 64 countries, the major global manufacturers of these products, compiled by the World Steel Association (Worldsteel).
A decrease in steel production in most of the top ten countries, except for China, India, the United States and South Korea was recorded in February.
The top ten producer countries in February are as follows: China (70.988 million tonnes, an increase of 9.2%), India (8.738 million tonnes, a rise of 2.3%), Japan (7.743 million tonnes, a drop of 6.6%), the United States (6.896 million tonnes, an increase of 4.6%), South Korea (5.471 million tonnes, a rise of 1.1%), the Russian Federation (5.23 million tonnes, a fall of 4.4%), Germany (3.12 million tonnes, a decrease of 9.4%), Brazil (2.662 million tonnes, a fall of 1.7%), Turkey (2.635 million tonnes, a drop of 12.5%), and Italy (2.046 million tonnes, a fall of 2.7%).
They are followed by Iran (2.015 million tonnes, an increase of 21.7%), Taiwan (1.815 million tonnes, a rise of 22.5%), and Ukraine (1.689 million tonnes, a rise of 5%).
Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises in January 2019 reduced steel production by 4.9% compared to the same period in 2018, to 1.850 million tonnes, moving from the 12th to 13th place in the ranking of 64 countries, the major global manufacturers of these products, compiled by the World Steel Association (Worldsteel).
A decrease in steel production in most of the top ten countries, except for China, the United States and Brazil was recorded in January.
The top ten producer countries in January are as follows: China (75.013 million tonnes, an increase of 4.3%), India (9.180 million tonnes, a fall of 1.9%), Japan (8.141 million tonnes, a drop of 9.8%), the United States (7.647 million tonnes, an increase of 11%), South Korea (6.211 million tonnes, a fall of 1.5%), the Russian Federation (5.790 million tonnes, a fall of 4.5%), Germany (3.410 million tonnes, a decrease of 7.2%), Brazil (2.933 million tonnes, an increase of 2.3%), Turkey (2.565 million tonnes, a drop of 19.5%), and Iran (2.230 million tonnes, a fall of 2.6%).
They are followed by Taiwan (2.010 million tonnes, an increase of 10.4%), Italy (1.959 million tonnes, a decrease of 3.6%), and Ukraine (1.850 million tonnes, a fall of 4.9%).
Ukraine reduced crude steel production 1% year-on-year in January-November 2018 to 19.3 million tonnes, according to preliminary data.
The Ukrmetallurgprom (Dnipro) association told Interfax that roll output grew 1% to 16.835 million tonnes, and pig iron production rose 3% to 18.78 million tonnes.
Crude steel production was 1.744 million tonnes in November alone, down 2.5% from October, roll production was 1.473 million tonnes, down 3.6%, and pig iron 1.695 million tonnes, down 5%.
Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises intend to increase steel production by 5.6% in September 2018 in comparison with the planned figures for August, to 1.9 million tonnes from 1.8 million tonnes.
According to information from the Ukrmetalurgprom association, the plan for September also envisages the increase in total rolled steel production by 6.3%, to 1.7 million tonnes from 1.6 million tonnes, pig iron by 5.6%, to 1.9 million tonnes from 1.8 million tonnes.
According to the union, in July cast iron production stood at 1.77 million tonnes (108% from June 2018), that of steel some 1.82 million tonnes (106%), and rolled goods some 1.5 million tonnes (99%).
Ukraine in January-July 2018 produced iron ore concentrate in the amount of 35.28 million tonnes (99.7% against the same period in 2017), sinter some 18.13 million tonnes (106%), pellets some 12.55 million tonnes (110%), gross coke (6% moisture) some 6.31 million tonnes (106%), pig iron some 11.9 million tonnes (109% taking into account the work of enterprises in the uncontrolled area in January-February 2017, 114% excluding them), steel some 12.2 million tonnes (103% and 106% respectively), rolled products some 10.75 million tonnes (105% and 110% respectively), and pipes some 647,000 tonnes (108%).
The report says despite the loss of part of the capacity in the uncontrolled territory, in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 there was an increase in production of the main types of goods.
“This became possible due to the stabilization of providing the enterprises with iron ore and coke, as well as the commissioning of blast furnace No. 3 at Zaporizhstal after reconstruction,” the report reads.
Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises intend to keep steel smelting in August 2018 at the level of planned indicators of July, at 1.8 million tonnes. According to the Ukrmetalurgprom association, the plan for August also provides for the preservation of total rolled steel production at the level of 1.6 million tonnes and keeping pig iron smelting at the level of 1.8 million tonnes.
According to its data, in June cast iron production totaled 1.63 million tonnes (103% compared to May 2018), steel production was 1.71 million tonnes (101%), that of rolled products some 1.52 million tonnes (98%).
In January-June 2018 production of iron ore concentrate stood at 30.22 million tonnes (99.5% compared to the same period in 2017), agglomerate at 15.43 million tonnes (106%), pellets at 10.63 million tonnes (109%), coke at 5.37 million tonnes (106%), pig iron at 10.15 million tonnes (108% taking into account the work of enterprises in the temporarily uncontrolled area and 114% without taking them into account), steel at 10.39 million tonnes (101% and 106% respectively), rolled products at 9.25 million tonnes (105% and 110% respectively), and pipes at 544,000 tonnes (109%).
“Despite the loss of part of the capacity in the uncontrolled territory, an increase in production of main types of goods was observed in the six months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. This became possible due to stabilizing the supply of iron ore raw materials and coke to the enterprises, as well as commissioning blast furnace No. 3 at Zaporizhstal after reconstruction,” the report says.
Metinvest, the largest mining and metal holding in Ukraine, in 2017 was 42nd in the list of the largest global steel manufacturers with the volume of 9.59 million tonnes compared with the 37th position in 2016 with the volume of 10.34 million tonnes, the 40th position in 2015 with 9.65 million tonnes and 33rd position in 2014 with 11.18 million tonnes.
According to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), last year ArcelorMittal with 97.03 million tonnes of smelted steel was first in the 2018 edition of World Steel in Figures.
It is followed by China Baowu Group with 65.39 million tonnes, NSSMC (includes Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corporation, with 100% of shares, and Nisshin Steel (51%), USIMINAS (31.2%) with 47.36 million tonnes.
The editions of World Steel in Figures of 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 did not contain other Ukrainian companies, apart from Metinvest. Industrial Union of Donbas (ISD), which was 44th in 2013 was not included in the next editions.
Worldsteel said that in 2017, Ukraine produced 21.3 million tonnes of steel and was 12th. Apparent steel use was 4.5 million and apparent steel use per capita was 101.5 kg.
Ukraine exported 15.2 million tonnes of steel products, being 12th in the global rating, while China was first and Russia was fourth.
Ukraine was fourth in net exports of steel in the world with 13.8 million tonnes (16.9 million tonnes in 2016, fourth). China was first with 60.9 tonnes and Japan was second with 31.2 million tonnes.
