Ukrainian industry will play a key role in post-war recovery – Interpipe CEO

Ukrainian industry will play a key role in post-war recovery, and the reconstruction itself will be successful, as the country has all the necessary basic prerequisites for this, plus the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people.

This opinion was expressed by Luca Zanotti, CEO of Interpipe, during a panel discussion entitled «From Resilience to Reconstruction: What Does Ukraine Need to Succeed?» at Ukraine House Davos.

«I am deeply convinced that domestic industry will play a major role in the recovery, which will undoubtedly be successful, as Ukraine has all the necessary basic prerequisites for this,» he said.

The CEO of Interpipe noted the powerful resource potential of the Ukrainian state, its energy independence, nuclear energy, and the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people.

According to him, Interpipe’s key pillars of sustainability are people, entrepreneurship, and investment. At the pipe plant in Nikopol, people continue to work just 4.5 km from the front line despite extraordinary challenges. Since the start of the war, the company has successfully diversified its product portfolio and sales markets, investing over $100 million in production, particularly in the Nikopol site.

The CEO of Interpipe highlighted the Ukrainian government’s correct steps, in particular the ban on scrap metal exports.

«They are aimed at creating added value within the country, rather than exporting raw materials,» emphasized Luca Zanotti.

Speaking at the macro level, he noted: «Interpipe is in the same league as the world’s leading companies with the best CO2 emissions performance. This achievement was facilitated by a strategic investment of $1 billion in the decarbonization of steelmaking.

«At the same time, the most important factor is Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union. Membership in this economic bloc will open up a ‘second domestic market’ for us and become a powerful driver of the country’s recovery,» Luca Zanotti stated.

Earlier, the CEO of Interpipe called metallurgy the driving force behind the country’s post-war reconstruction, provided that rapid European integration and a coordinated energy policy are in place. He also drew attention to the issues of competitiveness and the labor market.