Metinvest is increasing output thanks to three factors.
“First, the situation with electricity supplies and railroad logistics in Ukraine has stabilized. Second, the situation on our export markets of steel and ore is better than in the second half of 2022. And third, we have launched an additional blast furnace at Zaporizhstal,” Metinvest operational director Olexander Myronenko has said.
According to him, the blast furnace was launched “because we learned what to carry, in what volumes and in what timeframe. We started better and quicker reaching the European market”.
He added that Metinvest was varying its manufacture.
“If it’s profitable to sell pig iron, we sell pig iron, if coils – we sell coils, if billets or bars – we sell them. Moreover, the situation with energy supplies has improved,” he said.
Metinvest is working on its own coke now.
“Without Avdiyivka Coke and Chemical Works the quality of coke has dropped, but we are producing all the necessary amounts for use with the four blast furnaces. When we operate five furnaces, we buy coke in Poland or in Ukraine. Now we are taking measures to decrease coke usage and refrain from buying it from third parties,” Myronenko noted.
Limestone is bought in Western Ukraine. When high-quality limestone is needed, Metinvest buys it in Turkiye. (Ukrainian metal)