ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih expects H2 2021 production to remain strong resulting in a 6-7pc increase in output this year, against 2020.
The company also plans to complete the reconstruction of the sixth sintering machine in its second sintering plant in the second half of the year, which will allow it to reduce carbon emissions.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih’s ore production rose by 2.7pc to 13.1mn mt in H1 2021 compared to the same period last year while its concentrate production increased by 4.6pc to 5.4mn mt in the same timeframe.
Production up in H1
Steel production increased by 1.4pc to 2.5mn in H1 2021 against the year-ago period and cast iron output grew by 10.4pc to 2.8mn mt. Rolling production climbed by 2.2pc to 2.3mn mt in H1 2021 against the same period in 2020 while Output from its sinter plant rose by 7.6pc to 4.9mn mt. The production of cast iron and steel improved in the period due to the upgrade of the fifth sintering machine in sinter shop No 2. Gross coke produced increased by 11.5pc to 1.5mn mt in H1 2021.
The company has encountered higher freight and raw material price increases since early 2021 along with an increase in import duty rates. The Ukraine-based company refocused its sales and changed its traditional markets focus to China, Egypt, Latin America, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The company operated all four blast furnaces in H1 2021 and increased the productivity of sintering plant No 2. Blast furnace No 8, which was stopped in the H2 2020, was completely overhauled and put back in operations.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is constructed to generate more than 6mn mt of steel, over 5mn mt of rolled products, and over 5.5mn mt of pig iron.