Centravis is to mothball its plant in Uzhhorod following new EU protective measures

The Ukrainian manufacturer of seamless stainless steel pipes, ‘Centravis’, has decided to mothball its production site in Uzhhorod following the introduction of new EU restrictions on steel imports and the reduction of quotas for Ukrainian companies. This was reported by Uaprom.info.

According to the company’s estimates, the new EU trade restrictions could lead to a loss of 43–47 per cent of exports of seamless stainless steel pipes to the bloc. Ukraine’s quota for this product has been set at 6,524 tonnes, whereas in 2025, exports totalled 11,306 tonnes. By way of comparison, in 2021, before the start of the full-scale war, exports reached 14,194 tonnes.

In other words, compared with 2025 figures, the potential reduction in exports could exceed 40 per cent, and compared with 2021, it could reach approximately 54 per cent.

Yuriy Atanasov, Chief Executive Officer of Centravis, emphasised that Ukraine had failed to defend its position in negotiations with the EU, and that the new restrictions would have negative consequences for the country’s economy.

According to him, the reduction in exports will mean the loss of a significant portion of foreign exchange earnings, which will affect both the country’s economic stability and its defence capabilities.

The production facility in Uzhhorod was only opened in 2023; it specialises in the manufacture of small-diameter seamless stainless steel pipes, primarily for European customers.

Going forward, the company plans to focus on optimising its product portfolio and strengthening its presence in other markets, particularly in the US, Latin America and the Middle East. Furthermore, Centravis’s management is calling for greater protection of Ukraine’s domestic market.

“Cheap pipe products are still being imported into Ukraine from China and India, which is putting additional pressure on Ukrainian manufacturers. If we fail to respond to this, fail to protect the domestic market and fail to systematically promote ‘Made in Ukraine’ products, we may soon find ourselves in a situation where imports dominate and exports are virtually non-existent,” noted Yuriy Atanasov.

Operations at the Uzhhorod plant may resume if the EU revises its decision or if demand for Ukrainian seamless stainless steel pipes increases in other markets. Until then, all the company’s products will be manufactured at its main site in Nikopol.

It should be recalled that in February 2023, Centravis launched core operations at its new production site in Uzhhorod.