Liberty Ostrava resumes production at its hot strip mill

Czech steelmaker Liberty Ostrava, a subsidiary of British Liberty Steel, which is up for sale, has resumed production at its hot strip mill after more than a year’s break. This is reported by iDNES.cz.

The production of flat products has been financed by the Czech engineering group Vútkovice Machinery Trade (CE Industries group) since August last year under an agreement with Liberty Ostrava through a tolling (tolling) project. The raw material is imported slabs.

“This is another important milestone for us. The production of flat products such as coils, sheets, and steel strips, i.e. traditional steel mill products, which we are now reintroducing to the market, is returning to Liberty’s portfolio,” said Tomáš Mishinger, Director of Vítkovice Machinery Trade.

He added that the company will also use some of the coils in its own production of beams and pipes, which will help cut costs.

According to Michal Stefal, spokesperson for the bankruptcy trustee, the launch of the rolling mill is crucial. It will help preserve the company’s value until the sale.

The rolling mill is expected to produce approximately 45 thousand tons per month, and in June, these volumes will reach 70 thousand tons.

Production is currently guaranteed until April, with a short shutdown in early February to adjust the heating furnace.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in October 2024, Liberty Ostrava resumed production of rebar and road fencing under a tolling scheme, and was expected to resume production of seamless pipes. The company was supplied with square and round billets by two separate companies.