ArcelorMittal Warszawa has temporarily suspended production on account of a decline in orders, especially in the rebar segment. This does not however indicate the start of a longer downtrend, says the firm’s general director Artur Gierwatowski, adding that he expects demand to return to normal soon.
The firm had anticipated the increase in electricity and raw material prices, which was exacerbated in the second quarter by the outbreak of war in Ukraine, he adds.
ArcelorMittal Warszawa received CARES certification in April for its 50mm diameter B500B grade rebar, thanks to which it will be able to sell this product in the UK market. The firm initially announced its plan to offer this product in the UK last year (see Kallanish passim). The electric arc furnace-based mill also shipped its first rebar with ArcelorMittal’s “X-Carb” certificate in June, Gierwatowski observes in the latest edition of the company’s newsletter.
After being appointed general director earlier this year, Gierwatowski reaffirmed the mini-mill’s strategy to ramp up SBQ production and increase market share, supported by the installation of a new saw for cutting bars, as well as a fourth finishing line.
SBQ production in 2021 was 166,400 tonnes, the highest-ever annual output.
According to ArcelorMittal Group results, ArcelorMittal Warszawa produced 600,000t of crude steel in 2021, up from 500,000t in 2020.
Adam Smith Poland
