Ilyich Steel’s output plans unaffected by mill halt

Production at Ilyich Steel's recently relaunched flat products mill remains suspended owing to technical issues that occurred on 14 November, but its aim to start hot-rolled coil (HRC) production this year remains unchanged.

Operations were stopped after a fire broke out at the facility's transformers, according to local sources. Technical issues occurred during the testing process, but now specialists are resolving the problem, the company representative said.

"The situation will not have a significant impact on the earlier announced plans by Metinvest Group — HRC production is planned to be started by end-2019, full capacity is due to be reached in 2020," the company said.

The Ukrainian steelmaker relaunched Ilyich's flat rolling mill 1700 on 5 November, and can now produce up to 2.5mn t/yr of HRC of 1.2–8.0mm thickness and a coil weight of up to 25t, instead of the previous 16t.

Metinvest plans a second stage of upgrades at the mill, which will include the installation of another heating furnace and a hydraulic coiler, with maximum coil weight to be raised to 32t and the mill's capacity rising to 3.5mn t/yr of HRC.

By Elena Grebiniuk

source: Argus Media