Russia's stainless steel output fell 11.6%

According to an expert estimate made by SpetsStal Association, the volume of stainless steel output in Russia (excluding seamless and welded tubes) over a period from Jan till Sep 2012, compared to the equal time interval in 2011, decreased 11.6% to 75,297 tons.

The underlying reason is a steep fall by 33% in the sector of stainless steel flat-rolled production. The output of other stainless steel products, on the contrary, rose. Long production increased 22.8%, wire – +11,7% and forged pieces – +10,1%.

The changeы in the output volume affected the production structure. The share of flats decreased down to 45.5% (in 2011 – 60.0%), the share of longs increased up to 45.6% (32.9%). The shares of wire and forged pieces increased up to 2.9% (2.3%) and 6.0% (4.8%) respectively. Over many years Chelyabinsky Plant had kept first place in output volumes among Russsian stainless steel makers. In 2012 the leading position was taken by VMS Red October Plant.

Over a period from Jan till Sep 2012, compared with the equal time interval in 2011, Chelyabinsky Plant decreased stainless steel output by 46.9% (in Q1-Q3 11/10 - +8.6%). The output at MZ Electrostal Plant fell by 7.3% (+26.4%), at Asha Steel Works – by 18.2% (+73,2%) and at Severstal's Mill 5000 – by 20.5% (-19.8%).

The rest of Russian plants increased their output. VMZ Red October Plant raised stainless steel output by 57.6% (+29,3%), MZ Zlatoust Plant – by 16.8% (+46.6%) and Izhstal (Mechel Group of Companies) – by 8.2% (-57.8%). 

These changes have rearranged the makers' leadership positions in the following way: as was already said, in 2012 the first place goes to VMZ Red October Plant with a share of 28.9% out of the total Russian output (in Q1-Q3 2011 – 16.2%). Followed by: Chelyabinsk Plant – 28.4% (47.4%), Zlatoust Plant – 16.8% (11.5%), MZ Electrostal – 12.4% (11.9%), Izhstal – 8.2% (6.6%), Mill 5000 – 2.0% (2.3%) and Asha Steel Works – 1.3% (1.4%).

You can get the most comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of the Russian stainless steel industry and market, by attending the forthcoming 7th International conference 'Stainless Steel Price' which will be held in Moscow on 21 February 2013. To register, please proceed to http://en.inox-conference.ru