Russia: MMK modernization decreases electricity consumption

Schneider Electric has finished modernization of the automatization and electricity supply system in the smoke exhaust department of the oxygen-converter shop of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. This allowed MMK to decrease electricity consumption by 36% and provide for faultless operation of the important technological site. “This is the first project of energy efficiency improvement…

Russia: MMK output up in Q2 2017

In April-June MMK increased steel output by 3.8% QoQ, to 3.182 million tons. Capacities were 90% loaded. Pig iron manufacture increased by 8.7% QoQ, to 2.578 million tons. The growth has to do with the scheduled repair of blast furnace No. 10 in Q1. Sales in Q2 reached 2.882 million tons, up by 5.9% QoQ,…

Russia: Fitch upgrades MMK to BBB-

On July 13 the rating agency Fitch Ratings upgraded the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BBB-‘ from ‘BB+’ with Stable Outlook. In its press-release Fitch notes that the rating upgrade reflects MMK’s substantial deleveraging and Fitch’s view that the company’s financial profile will remain conservative, with projected leverage comfortably…

Russia: MMK steel output up in Q2 2017

Steel output of Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) increased by 3.8% QoQ, to 3.182 million tons in April-June, the company said in a statement July 17. In January-June, steel production rose by 0.6% YoY, to 6.248 million tons. Metal products sales fell by 3.2% YoY, to 5.605 million tons, in January-June, but increased…

Russia: MMK commissions new gas-purifying plants

PJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works has completed the reconstruction of gas-purifying plants at the mill’s electric-furnace melting shop with CAPEX of more than RUB 1.3 billion. The gas purifying plants are now almost 100% efficient. Over the course of the project, two old wet gas-purification systems, No. 32 and No. 33, were replaced with…