Planeta Plastik has launched a new plant in Irpin that will manufacture polyethylene pipes using solar energy.
The plant has a capacity of over 17,000 kilometers of pipes per year for water supply, gas networks, as well as technical and protective systems.
All products will be manufactured using the latest equipment, which allows the production of polymer pipes with diameters ranging from 16 to 800 mm.
Compliance with standards
The plant operates under the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, using high-quality raw materials from world leaders. Polyethylene pipes have already been tested, received quality certificates, and are manufactured in accordance with current standards:
DSTU EN 12201 – for water supply systems
DSTU EN 1555 – for gas distribution networks
Economic effect and community support.
Thanks to the opening of the new production facility, the company has created new jobs. The plant’s products will be supplied both to the domestic market and for export. Thanks to its location in Irpin, the company will be able to quickly meet the needs of customers in all regions of Ukraine.
To support educators and medical professionals, as well as educational and medical institutions in Ukraine, the plant will supply polymer pipes at special prices.
A symbol of resilience
“Irpin. In 2022, the enemy destroyed everything here. We did not give up. We are building something new. That is why, continuing this mission, we built a new pipe plant in less than a year, which will work for the benefit and future of Ukraine,” says Kostyantyn Vashchenko, co-founder and visionary of Planeta Plastik.
About Planeta Plastik
Planeta Plastik LLC is a Ukrainian manufacturer of polyethylene products. The company specializes in the production of films for agriculture and industry, Harwell™ polymer sleeves for grain and feed storage, as well as polyethylene pipes for water supply, gas, and technical needs. Founded in 2003 and completely destroyed in the spring of 2022, the company is actively building new production facilities, developing exports, and remaining a reliable partner for customers in Ukraine and abroad. The new plant in Irpin is not only about restoring production, but also about taking a step into the future, where Ukrainian industry combines innovation, energy independence, and sustainability.
IRPIN, Planeta Plastik, PLANT, polyethylene pipe, PRODUCTION, Solar energy
The Kametstal plant, part of the Metinvest mining and metallurgical group, established at the Dniprovsky Metallurgical Plant (Kamensk, Dnipropetrovsk region), has begun production of a line of B500C class rebar for Romanian consumers under the 2026 program.
According to a press release, the plant successfully passed certification for the supply of rebar to Romania at the end of last year by the Romanian certification body ICECON.
It is specified that since the beginning of the year, the plant has already shipped more than 2.3 thousand tons of rebar with a nominal diameter of 8-25 mm via the “Kametstal – Romania” route.
It is also noted that the production of B500C class rebar according to Romanian standards has a number of fundamental features. In addition to specific geometric parameters, weight per running meter, and a unique caliber pattern, this rolled steel is distinguished by an extended range of mechanical properties. In particular, the products meet the increased requirements for strength and rigidity, which is critical for reliability in the modern EU construction industry.
The press service noted that Kametstal received a positive technical conclusion of the certificate for B500C reinforcing steel in bars with a nominal diameter of 8-32 mm from the Permanent Technical Council for Construction of the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania. From now on, Metinvest will sell Ukrainian steel products in this promising market alongside Bulgarian rebar manufactured at Promet Steel, according to the press release.
“Today, rebar of various profile sizes for Romanian partners is already a stable part of the monthly production program of the 400/200 mill. To make this possible, optimal technical solutions and rolling schemes were developed, and complex roll calibration was performed. In close cooperation with steelmakers, who focus on strict compliance with the chemical composition parameters of the billets required for the production of “Romanian” rebar, this allows us to confidently maintain our quality standards,” explained Alexander Oliynyk, chief rolling mill operator and head of the rolling shop, whose words are quoted in the report.
He added that the plant is systematically expanding its sales geography, confirming the competitiveness of rolled products manufactured at Kametstal even in the most demanding markets.
Kametstal was established on the basis of PJSC Dniprovsky Coke Chemical Plant (DKHP) and PJSC Dniprovsky Metallurgical Plant (DMP).
PJSC Zaporizhkox, one of Ukraine’s largest producers of coke and chemical products and a member of the Metinvest Group, reduced its blast furnace coke production by 4.7% in January-February this year compared to the same period last year, from 135,600 tons to 129,200 tons.
According to the company, 69.5 thousand tons of coke were produced in February, compared to 61.2 thousand tons in February 2025 and 59.7 thousand tons in January of this year.
As reported, Zaporizhkox increased its output by 2.7% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 898,300 tons from 874,700 tons.
In 2024, Zaporizhkox increased its production of blast furnace coke by 2.1% compared to 2023, to 874.7 thousand tons from 856.8 thousand tons.
In 2023, Zaporizhkox increased its blast furnace coke output by 16% compared to 2022, to 856.8 thousand tons from 737.4 thousand tons.
Zaporizhkox has a full technological cycle for processing coke chemical products.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated mining group of companies. Its main shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
Global stainless steel production in 2025 increased by 2.1% compared to the previous year, reaching 64.157 million tons from 62.821 million tons.
These figures are provided in a press release from The World Stainless Association (formerly the International Stainless Steel Forum, ISSF).
According to the information, in the fourth quarter of 2025, production reached 16.330 million tons, while in the same period in 2024, 16.198 million tons were produced.
At the same time, stainless steel production in Europe decreased by 1.9% in 2025, to 5.659 million tons. In the US, production increased by 7.6%, to 2.099 million tons.
In Asia (excluding China and South Korea), stainless steel production last year increased by 2.7% to 55.313 million tons, and in China it increased by 3.6% to 40.868 million tons.
In other regions (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, the UK, and Ukraine), production fell by 11.3% to 1.086 million tons.
As reported, global stainless steel production in 2024 increased by 7% compared to 2023, to 62.621 million tons from 58.539 million tons, with production growing in all major regions.
At the same time, stainless steel production in Europe in 2024 increased by 1.5% to 6.088 million tons. In the US, production increased by 6.9% to 1.950 million tons. In Asia (excluding China and South Korea), stainless steel production increased by 6.4% to 7.322 million tons, and in China, it increased by 7.5% to 39.441 million tons. In other regions (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and Indonesia), production increased by 9.2% to 7.820 million tons.
Global stainless steel production in 2023 increased by 4.6% compared to 2022, to 58.444 million tons. Overall, stainless steel production in Europe fell by 6.2% to 5.902 million tons this year, and in the US by 9.6% to 1.824 million tons. Meanwhile, in Asia (excluding China and South Korea), stainless steel production decreased by 7.2% to 6.880 million tons, while in China it increased by 12.6% to 36.676 million tons. Other regions (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and Indonesia) saw a 5.2% decline in production to 7.163 million tons.
Global stainless steel production in 2022 decreased by 5.2% compared to 2021, to 55.255 million tons. At the same time, production in Europe fell by 12.4% to 6.294 million tons, and in the US by 14.8% to 2.017 million tons. In Asia (excluding China and South Korea), stainless steel production decreased by 4.9% to 7.411 million tons, and in China by 2% to 31.975 million tons. Other regions saw a 9.1% decline in production to 7.557 million tons.
In 2025, the Metinvest mining and metallurgical group reduced steel production by 4% compared to the previous year, to 2.018 million tons. The decline was due to the large-scale war, reduced electricity supply, as well as logistical and economic factors.
According to the group’s annual report, the parent company Metinvest B.V. reported that based on the results of operating activities for Q4 2025 and for the year as a whole, in Q4, pig iron production at Kametstal remained at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 496,000 tons, while steel production increased by 3% to 564 thousand tons.
At the same time, it is noted that in 2025, pig iron and steel production decreased by 2% and 4%, respectively, compared to the previous year and amounted to 1.782 million tons and 2.018 million tons. The slight decrease was due to the overhaul of blast furnace No. 9 at Kametstal in April-June 2025.
It is also noted that in Q4 2025, the volume of commercial semi-finished products remained almost at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 271 thousand tons. At the same time, commercial pig iron production decreased by 41% due to increased consumption in subsequent stages, which led to an 8% increase in the output of commercial billets.
In 2025, the output of semi-finished products decreased by 3% compared to the previous year, to 839 thousand tons, due to a decline in steel production and an increase in domestic consumption of billets in subsequent stages of production. At the same time, the output of commercial cast iron doubled and amounted to 84 thousand tons.
In Q4 2025, finished product output grew by 4% compared to the previous quarter and amounted to 613 thousand tons, due to scheduled overhauls at rolling mills in Italy and Bulgaria in August. In particular, flat steel production grew by 10% to 291,000 tons, while long steel production remained almost unchanged at 322,000 tons.
In 2025, finished product output grew by 13% compared to 2024, reaching 2.429 million tons. In particular, flat steel production increased by 20% to 1.107 million tonnes thanks to the resumption of hot-rolled coil production at Ferriera Valsider (Italy) and the efficient operation of Metinvest Trametal (Italy) and Spartan UK (Great Britain). Long product production increased by 7% to 1.322 million tonnes due to increased volumes at Kametstal and the stable performance of Promet Steel (Bulgaria).
In Q4 2025, coke production decreased by 3% compared to the previous quarter to 279 thousand tonnes. Overall, coke production declined by 2% over the past year to 1.100 million tons compared to the previous year due to the decommissioning of coke oven battery No. 1 at Kametstal. This was partially offset by a 23% increase in coke production at Zaporizhzhya Coke Plant to 898,000 tons.
It is also reported that in Q4 2025, total iron ore concentrate production remained almost at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 3.981 million tons, while the output of commercial iron ore products decreased by 4% to 3.773 million tons. The production of iron ore pellets decreased by 21% to 1.339 million tons due to the temporary shutdown of one of the roasting machines as a result of damage to the power supply systems caused by shelling. As a result, the output of commercial iron ore concentrate increased by 9% to 2.434 million tons.
In 2025, total iron ore concentrate production was comparable to the previous year’s volume and amounted to 15.695 million tons. At the same time, the shutdown of operations at the Ingulets quarry in July 2024 was offset mainly by increased production at the Hannivsk quarry. Production of commercial iron ore products increased by 3% to 15.229 million tons, with commercial pellets increasing by 5% and concentrate production remaining virtually unchanged.
In December 2024, due to the intensification of hostilities and the approach of the front line, the production site of the Pokrovsk Coal Group, located in Donbas, was suspended. Subsequently, against the backdrop of power supply disruptions and a further deterioration in the security situation, the production activities of the mine and enrichment plant were suspended.
In addition, the group is in the final stages of selling United Coal Company (USA). In this regard, the asset was deconsolidated starting with the financial statements for the first half of 2025.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its enterprises are located in Ukraine – in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions – as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the US. The main shareholders of the holding company are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
The volume of agricultural production in Ukraine in January 2026 increased by 3.2% compared to the same period last year, according to the State Statistics Service (Gosstat).
According to the agency, the growth was driven exclusively by the livestock sector. Data on crop production for this period is traditionally unavailable.
The main driver was agricultural enterprises, which increased production by 11.9%. The best dynamics in this segment were shown by Vinnytsia (25.7%), Lviv (25.1%), and Kirovohrad (19.7%) regions. Overall, growth was recorded in 18 regions.
However, there was a decline in private households: production volumes fell by 15% compared to January 2025. The largest decline in the private sector was recorded in Zakarpattia (index 54.6%), Donetsk region (60.5%), and Lviv region (75.1%).
In regional terms, the largest decline in all categories of farms was recorded in Donetsk (index 60.5%), Zakarpattia (68.3%), and Chernivtsi (82.9%) regions. At the same time, Vinnytsia (+22.9%) and Lviv (+22.7%) regions became the leaders in overall growth.
As reported, at the end of 2025, agricultural production in Ukraine decreased by 6.8% compared to 2024. The decline in crop production was 7.5%, and in livestock production, 4.1%. Only Chernihiv, Sumy, and Vinnytsia regions maintained positive dynamics over the past year.
