Polish Defense Ministry disputes the updated cost of Huta Częstochowa

Poland’s Ministry of Defense (MON) has filed an official protest with the Czestochowa Commercial Court regarding the current valuation of Huta Częstochowa, the country’s only metallurgical enterprise capable of producing hardened sheets for the defense industry. This was reported by Wyborcza.

The new valuation of the asset is PLN 253.8 million, which exceeds the initial price of the open tender for the sale of the property of the bankrupt Liberty Częstochowa, set at approximately PLN 227 million. The increase in the price is justified by the resumption of steelmaking and sheet-rolling operations, as well as the renewal of international quality certificates by the current tenant, state-owned Węglokoks.

Although production resumed in January 2025 and more than 900 employees were re-employed, the legal situation around the property remains uncertain. The court has received MON’s objection and is to notify the parties to the case, including the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. The court will then make a decision in a closed session. It is possible that the court will appoint a new expert to re-evaluate the property.

In February 2025, an open tender for the sale was canceled after the insolvency trustee asked MON whether the ministry was interested in acquiring the entire property complex. In March, the Defense Ministry confirmed its interest.

The situation with the appeal of the assessment does not affect the current operations of Huta Częstochowa, which is currently operating under a lease agreement until May 2026. However, the future of the strategic facility, which is unique in the Polish defense sector, will depend on the court’s decision and negotiations with the state.

As GMK Center previously reported, Tomasz Slezak, Chairman of the Board of Weglokoks, which currently leases the facility, expressed confidence that Huta Częstochowa has a chance to pay off and be profitable.