Russian steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has announced its production and sales data for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2015. According to the company statement, NLMK's crude steel output in the fourth quarter decreased to 3.85 million mt, down six percent year on year, due to weaker demand in the Russian construction sector and the US market, as well as due to repairs at the Lipetsk site. In 2015, the company’s crude steel production remained stable year on year at 15.9 million mt.
In the fourth quarter, NLMK Group's sales decreased by nine percent year on year to 3.8 million mt, amid a seasonal drop in demand in Russia and lower pig iron exports. In 2015, NLMK’s sales volume amounted to 15.9 million mt, up five percent year on year, driven by growth of exports from Russian operations to end consumers.
In 2015, NLMK Group’s steelmaking capacities were running at 93 percent (down three percentage points year on year), including 100 percent at the Lipetsk site.