Ukrainian steel mills reduce production in July and August

According to Mr Vasily Kharahulah director of Metallurgprom, Ukrainian steelmaking companies keep reduction of production.

So daily average iron smelting reduced by 2200 tonnes compared to June to 64,800 tonnes. As Mr Kharahulah noticed, the minimum level of iron and steel products production is reached in June during 2010. The downwards trend is kept in August and daily average iron smelting was reduced further to 64,500 tonnes whine the first decade of August.

In accordance with Metallurgprom data, there are 26 blast furnaces working 72% out of 36 BF total, 16 basic oxygen furnaces 76% of 21 BOF total, 19 open-hearth furnaces 54% of 35 and 7 electric arc furnaces 47% of 15.

According to the forecast of Metallurgprom the situation will remain at least till mid September.

Totally in July production of pig iron remained merely the same at 2 million tonnes, steel production as compared to June reduced by 1.6% to 2.420 million tonnes, steel products production grew by 1.9% to 2.321 million tonnes. (Ugmk.info)

Much more about metal of Ukraine, Russia and other CIS-countries at http://metalukraine2010.blogspot.com/

Ukrainian steelmakers may face losses due to gas price hike - Metallurgprom

According to the Ukrainian association of metal producers Metallurgprom, Ukrainian steelmakers could face losses from operations due to the increase as of August 1st 2010 the ceiling price on natural gas for industrial consumers and budget funded organizations by 9.76% to UAH 2,187.2 per 1,000 cubic meters excluding VAT, surcharges, transportation, distribution and supply costs.

Mr Vasily Kharakhulakh general director of Metallurgprom said "This measure may set to nil the profitability of the steel producing companies. The steelmakers have not seen yet such high gas prices."

He said that the decision of Ukraine National Electricity Regulatory Commission to increase gas prices for industrial consumers differs from the initial promises of the government to support domestic producers.

Up to July 1st 201i Ukrainian steel producers had received gas at preferential prices under a previously signed memorandum of understanding with the country cabinet of ministers.

As of August 1st, Ukraine has also raised domestic household gas prices by 50%. Increasing gas prices was a key demand of the International Monetary Fund in exchange for the approval in the previous week of a USD 15 billion loan over 2.5 years to help Ukraine with economic reforms. (Steelorbis.com)

Much more about metal of Ukraine, Russia and other CIS-countries at http://metalukraine2010.blogspot.com/

Ukraine metal production at mills up in June and July

Ukrainian Journal cited Mr Vasyl Kharakhulakh director general of the Dnipropetrovsk based Metalurgprom industrial association as saying that daily metal production at Ukrainian steel mills grew in June and July and in August the upward trend has continued.
He said that "Daily average cast iron production in July against June grew by 9,000 tonnes or 13.4% YoY to 76,200 tonnes and over the seven months ending in July 2009 it was 67,600 tonnes against 101,300 tonnes." (Ukrainian Journal)

Ukrainian hot metal output increasing with BF restart

According to the Ukrainian association of metal producers Metallurgprom, in June to July 2009, Ukrainian steel producers gradually increased their average daily pig iron output and they are expected to continue this positive trend throughout August.
In July, Ukraine's average daily pig iron output increased by 13.4%MoM i.e. by 9,000 tonnes to 76,200 tonnes while in January to July the country average daily pig iron output amounted to 67,600 tonnes down by 33.3%YoY. Ukrainian steelmakers continue to increase their capacities over the first 10 days of August, Ukraine average daily pig iron output reached 80,100 tonnes.
According to the Metallurgprom data, as of August 11th, 28 of Ukraine 41 blast furnaces are operating as well as 19 of the country's 21 converters and 15 of its 42 open hearth furnaces.
In January to July this year, Ukraine produced 14.332 million tonnes of pig iron down by 33.6%YoY compared to the same period last year. (SteelOrbis)