Ukraine ramped up steel production by 4% in 9 months

According to Ukrmetallurgprom, in January to September, Ukrainian mining & metals companies increased production of steel by 4%, up to 16.4 million tons, rolled products — by 2%, up to 14.09 million tons, and pig iron — by 1%, up to 15.5 million tons, compared to the same period a year earlier.

By the end of September, Ukrainian companies shrank production of steel by 10% to 1.75 million tons, rolled products — by 1% to 1.5 million tons, and pig iron — by 4% to 1.75 million tons compared to the previous month. At the same time, production of rolled products increased by 2% to 1.57 million tons.

In the first 9 months of this year, Ukrainian mining & metals companies increased production of pellets by 1%, up to 16.2 million tons, agglomerate — by 1%, up to 23.7 million tons, and iron ore concentrate — by 5%, up to 47.3 million tons.

Coke production in January to September fell by 4% to 7.7 million tons compared to the same period in 2018.

In the 9 months, Ukrainian companies increased iron ore exports by 9% to 30.24 million tons compared to the same period of the previous year.

To date, 15 out of 21 blast furnaces, 8 out of 9 open-hearth furnaces, 11 out of 16 BOFs, 5 out of 15 electric-arc furnaces, and 14 out of 15 billet continuous casting machines are in operation.

As reported earlier, in 6 months, Ukrainian mining & metals companies ramped up production in all the three segments: production of steel grew by 5% to 10.9 million tons, rolled products — by 3.2% to 9.4 million tons, pig iron — by 0.4% to 10.2 million tons compared to January — June 2018.