The Russian steel producer Severstal has issued its operational results for the first quarter of 2009. The figures include the consolidated production data (net of intercompany sales) of all Russia-based and overseas facilities of Severstal.
According to the company release, in Q1 2009 Severstal produced 3.8 million metric tons of crude steel - down 21 percent, 182,104 metric tons of coking coal concentrate - down 37 percent, 6,616 metric tons of coking coal - down 85 percent, 577,142 metric tons of iron ore - down 62 percent (including a 56 percent decrease in iron ore pellet production to 576,989 mt and a 100 percent drop in iron ore concentrate output to 153 mt), all compared to Q1 2008.
In addition, in Q1 2009 Severstal saw a 31 percent decrease in its semi-finished steel product output to 357,363 metric tons and an 18 percent drop in its rolled steel products output to 2.91 million metric tons, including 1.44 million metric tons of hot rolled strips and plates - down nine percent, 535,414 metric tons of cold rolled sheet - up three percent, 347,691 metric tons of galvanized and other metallic coated sheet - down 12 percent, 56,758 metric tons of color coated sheet - down three percent, and 440,664 metric tons of long products - down 52 percent, all compared to the data for the first quarter of 2008. The total output of downstream products, including metalware products, large diameter pipes and other tubes and pipes and formed shapes, decreased by 33 percent quarter on quarter to 317,247 mt.
On the other hand, Severstal's crude steel production in Q1 2009 was 21 percent higher than in the previous quarter, while its output of rolled products rose 16 percent quarter on quarter. In Q1 2009, Severstal registered a decrease in its total production of iron ore pellets of ten percent quarter on quarter and a drop in its coal production of 13 percent; however, the producer's iron ore concentrate production increased by 21 percent compared to Q4 2008.