According to Vadim Dorofeev, the senior manager on coated metal sales of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, the coating market passed the lowest level of decline last year.
In 2016 galvanized steel consumption in Russia totaled 2.88 million tons, down by 2% YoY, while the polymeric coating sector saw an increase of 1%, to 1.9 million tons. In 2017 MMK forecasts the increase of demand for galvanized rolled metal to 2.96 million tons, and for painted metal – to 1.95 million tons.
The share of Russian manufactures on the local market has been steadily growing in the last couple of years. In 2014, 22% of galvanized metal and 33% of polymeric-coated metal were imported, this year they will drop to 15% and 12% respectively.
In 2016 MMK produced 1.01 million ton of galvanized steel, up by 9% YoY, and 322 thousand tons of painted metal, up by 3%. At present the company is constructing another hot-galvanizing mill with the annual capacity of 360 thousand tons. It is expected to be put into operation in July. (Ukrainian metal)