Ukraine’s Ilyich SW has cut steel production considerably in May amid a lack of orders for flat products. The company produced about 415,000 t of crude steel (19% lower m-o-m) and 375,000 t of steel products (16% lower m-o-m). Mill "1700" produced 145,000 t of HR sheets and coils, 24% below April levels. Plate output at mill "3000" was 90,000-100,000 t (-10%), shipments of merchant slabs – about 80,000-85,000 t (-15%). CR flats and HDG production amounted to 40,000-45,000 t (-20%).
In June, Ilyich plans further reduction of production rates, although its order book is still open. The company expects to melt 400,000 t of crude steel (-4%) and to make 350,000 t (-7%) of steel products. It is output of merchant HR flats that will shrink. In particular, mill "1700" will produce about 130,000 t of flats (-10% m-o-m), mill "3000" – 60,000 t (-40% m-o-m). Output of the other products is intended to remain at the May rates. Slab shipments will be 100,000 t, CR flats and HDG – 45,000 t, including 17,000-18,000 t of galv.
In January-May 2010, Ilyich melted about 2.3mt of steel, by 50% up year-on-year; steel product output grew by 47%, to 2mtpy.
(Source: www.metalexpert-group.com )