Ukrainian steel association urges worldsteel Russian expulsion

Ukrainian steel association Ukrmetallurgprom has appealed to worldsteel to exclude all Russian ferrous companies from the organisation, Kallanish notes.

“We are asking you to exclude all Russian metallurgical enterprises, because they are unworthy to occupy a place in the global metallurgical community and enjoy the benefits of membership in the association,” says a letter from Ukrmetallurgprom addressed to worldsteel chairman Sajjan Jindal and director general Edwin Basson. “Your support will be a contribution to our victory and the triumph of justice for metallurgists and all the people of Ukraine.”

Evraz, MMK, Metalloinvest, NLMK Group, TMK, Severstal and the Russian Steel Association are worldsteel members.

Meanwhile, on 13 March Metinvest’s Avdeevka Coke Plant was subjected to massive shelling by Russian troops, the Ukrainian steelmaker says.

“The shells hit the first and second coke shops, the second tar distillation and coal preparation shops, and the warehouse. There were no casualties,” the statement says. “As a result of the shelling, the factory thermal power plant, which supplies heat to Avdiivka, has stopped. However, production at the plant continues.”

Metinvest said last week its iron ore mines in Kryvyi Rih are operating at 30-40% of their capacity, while pellet producer Ferrexpo continues to produce and ship product by rail to customers in Europe.

Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria