One of Ukraine’s leading metallurgical holdings, the Metinvest group, has announced plans to increase steel production by 300–500 thousand tons by 2026, particularly through increased consumption of scrap metal. The company notes that the primary source of scrap metal remains the domestic market, but a shortage of this raw material is already anticipated. In this context, military scrap, which includes remnants of destroyed military equipment, shells, and other metal waste from the war, may become an important resource for the metallurgical industry. Metinvest emphasizes that the role of military scrap in the overall consumption of scrap metal will grow in the coming months and years. In the context of Ukraine’s transition to low-carbon metallurgy, the demand for scrap will continue to increase.
This is reported by Business • Media
Production Results Despite Shelling and Power Outages
Despite regular Russian shelling, power outages, and logistical difficulties, the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant, part of the Metinvest group, managed to improve its production indicators over the past year. Steel production at the plant increased by 11.1% to reach 3.2 million tons. Pig iron production rose by 15.2% to 2.79 million tons, while rolled products increased by 15% to 3.56 million tons.
Impact of Russian Attacks on the Industry
However, recent attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have led to a suspension of production at Zaporizhstal. The metallurgical plant ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region has also been affected by power outages.
“In this context, military scrap – destroyed military equipment, shells, and other metal waste from the war – is viewed by Metinvest as a promising segment: its role in the overall consumption of scrap metal will grow in the coming months and years.”
Additionally, eight mines in the Dnipropetrovsk region were left without power due to Russian strikes, which also negatively impacted the operations of enterprises in the mining and metallurgical complex.