The Russian steelmaker Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has released its production results for the third quarter of 2009.
Accordingly, in Q3 2009 MMK recorded a 31 percent rise quarter on quarter in its crude steel output to 2.83 million mt, and a 16 percent increase quarter on quarter in its pig iron production to 2.326 million mt, which is also 2.2 percent higher compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the company's finished steel product output in Q3 saw a 36 percent increase to 2.6 million mt compared to the previous quarter.
"The output level achieved is the highest for the last 12-month period," reads the company's statement.
During the third quarter of the current year, MMK produced 312,000 mt of longs - up 20 percent, 1.553 million mt of hot rolled products - up 42 percent, and 331,000 mt of cold rolled products - up 19 percent, all compared to Q2. MMK's Q3 output of high value-added products (HVA), including thick plate, CRC and downstream products, accounted for 28 percent of the company's production portfolio in the quarter, amounting to 735,000 mt - up 29 percent quarter on quarter and unchanged from the Q3 2008 level. "The increased HVA products output is due to the commissioning of the hot dip galvanizing line No. 2 in July 2008 and of the color coating line No. 2 in July 2009," the company said in its statement.
In addition, during the period in question, MMK's galvanized color coated production increased by 48 percent to 68,000 mt, its galvanized steel output rose by 50 percent to 177,000 mt, its pipe production increased by 62 percent to 21,000 mt, while its tin plate output went down by 19 percent to 59,000 mt, all compared to Q2 2009.
Meanwhile, in the third quarter of the current year, MMK started the production of thick plate at its new mill 5000, producing a total of 29,000 mt, and restarted production of slabs and billets, with a total output of 2,000 mt.