Emerging as a global steel powerhouse with 21.4 million metric tons produced in 2021, Ukraine's industry is a story of immense potential, resilience, and heartbreaking wartime disruption, a narrative told through its massive production volumes, critical export relationships, and the thousands of lives woven into its industrial fabric.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine's crude steel production in 2021 reached 21.4 million metric tons, making it the 8th largest producer globally.
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih produced 4.7 million tonnes of crude steel in 2021, accounting for 22% of Ukraine's total output.
- In 2022, Ukraine's pig iron production dropped to 5.7 million tonnes amid the Russian invasion.
- Ukraine's nominal steel production capacity is 42.6 million tonnes per annum as of 2021.
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih's crude steel capacity stands at 6.1 million tonnes annually.
- Metinvest group's total steelmaking capacity is 15.5 million tonnes per year pre-war.
- Ukraine exported 12.5 million tonnes of steel products in 2021, valued at $11.2 billion.
- In 2022, Ukraine's steel exports dropped 50% to 6.2 million tonnes due to war.
- Turkey imported 2.8 million tonnes of Ukrainian semi-finished steel in 2021.
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih revenue in 2021 was $4.8 billion from steel sales.
- Metinvest net profit in 2021 reached $2.1 billion, driven by steel prices.
- Ukraine steel industry contributed 2.5% to GDP in 2021, $5.6 billion.
- Ukraine steel employment totaled 250,000 direct jobs in 2021.
- ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih employs 25,000 workers as of 2023.
- Metinvest group workforce pre-war: 80,000 employees in steel sector.
Ukraine's pre-war steel industry was significant but has been severely impacted by the invasion.
Capacity Utilization
1Ukraine's nominal steel production capacity is 42.6 million tonnes per annum as of 2021.
Verified2ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih's crude steel capacity stands at 6.1 million tonnes annually.
Verified3Metinvest group's total steelmaking capacity is 15.5 million tonnes per year pre-war.
Verified4Ilyich Steel's hot metal capacity is 7.9 million tonnes pa.
Directional5Azovstal's steel capacity was 6.4 million tonnes before 2022 destruction.
Single source6Interpipe NTRP pipe mill capacity is 350,000 tonnes of seamless pipes annually.
Verified7Zaporizhstal's slab production capacity is 4.5 million tonnes per year.
Verified8Ukraine's blast furnace capacity totals 28 million tonnes of pig iron pa.
Verified9Dneprospetsstal electric arc furnace capacity is 1.3 million tonnes steel pa.
Directional10Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Basin has 500 million tonnes iron ore reserves exploitable.
Single source11Enakievo MMP's capacity utilization was 92% in 2021 at 3.5 mtpa.
Verified12Promet Steel's EAF capacity is 800,000 tpa billets.
Verified13Ukraine's coke production capacity is 12 million tonnes annually across plants.
Verified14ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih BF capacity utilization dropped to 45% in 2022.
Directional15Metinvest Avdiivka Coke capacity is 4.3 million tonnes pa.
Single source16Interpipe's welded pipe capacity at Niko Tube is 240,000 tpa.
Verified17Zaporozhye Silicon Manganese Plant capacity 0.45 mtpa ferroalloys.
Verified18Ukraine's rolling mill capacity for long products is 18 million tonnes pa.
Verified19Kamysh-Zarya EZM capacity utilization reached 95% in 2021 at 0.5 mtpa.
Directional20Billets casting capacity in Ukraine totals 20 million tonnes annually.
Single source21ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih slab caster capacity 5 million tonnes pa.
Verified22Post-war, Ukraine's operable steel capacity is estimated at 20 million tpa in 2023.
Verified23Ilyich Steel plate mill capacity 2.2 million tonnes pa.
Verified24Ferroalloy capacity in Ukraine is 2.2 million tonnes per annum total.
Directional25Dzerzhinskii Coke Plant supports 1.5 mtpa steel capacity indirectly.
Single sourceCapacity Utilization Interpretation
In short, Ukraine’s pre-war steel industry was a muscular, integrated beast—before conflict knocked out roughly half its teeth and blew one of its biggest jaws clean off.
Employment and Safety
1Ukraine steel employment totaled 250,000 direct jobs in 2021.
Verified2ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih employs 25,000 workers as of 2023.
Verified3Metinvest group workforce pre-war: 80,000 employees in steel sector.
Verified4Steel industry average salary in Ukraine 2021: $1,200/month.
Directional5Zaporizhstal employs 12,000 staff, with 95% retention in 2021.
Single source6Interpipe total employees 2021: 11,500, 60% in production.
Verified7Ukraine steel LTIFR safety rate improved to 1.2 per million hours in 2021.
Verified8Kryvyi Rih training programs covered 15,000 workers in 2021.
Verified9Metinvest female workforce in steel: 25% or 20,000 women in 2021.
Directional10Post-invasion, 50,000 steel jobs lost by end-2022.
Single source11Ilyich Steel safety incidents reduced 30% YoY to 45 in 2021.
Verified12Promet Steel workforce: 1,200 employees with zero fatalities 2021.
Verified13Ukraine steel vocational training graduates: 5,000 annually pre-war.
Verified14ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih absenteeism rate 2021: 2.5%.
Directional15Dneprospetsstal employs 6,500, invests $10M in training yearly.
Single source16Steel industry indirect jobs supported: 500,000 in Ukraine 2021.
Verified17Zaporizhstal safety investments 2021: $15 million.
Verified18Interpipe labor turnover rate 2021: 8%.
Verified19In 2023, Kryvyi Rih rehired 2,000 workers post-disruptions.
Directional20Metinvest pension fund covers 40,000 retirees from steel.
Single source21Ukraine steel fatality rate 2021: 0.8 per 100,000 workers.
Verified22Average steel worker age in Ukraine: 42 years in 2021.
Verified23ArcelorMittal health checks for 100% workforce annually.
VerifiedEmployment and Safety Interpretation
Before Russia's full-scale invasion shattered its industrial heartland, Ukraine's steel sector stood as a pillar of economic resilience, boasting 250,000 direct jobs, a fiercely dedicated workforce—with retention rates as high as 95%—and a relentless drive to forge a safer, more modern future, tragically underscored by the loss of 50,000 of those very jobs by the end of 2022.
Exports and Markets
1Ukraine exported 12.5 million tonnes of steel products in 2021, valued at $11.2 billion.
Verified2In 2022, Ukraine's steel exports dropped 50% to 6.2 million tonnes due to war.
Verified3Turkey imported 2.8 million tonnes of Ukrainian semi-finished steel in 2021.
Verified4EU countries received 3.1 million tonnes Ukrainian steel in 2021, 25% of total exports.
Directional5China was Ukraine's top steel export market in 2021 with 1.9 mt slabs.
Single source6In H1 2023, Ukrainian steel exports reached 3.4 million tonnes.
Verified7Italy imported 1.2 million tonnes Ukrainian wire rods in 2021.
Verified8Poland's Ukrainian steel imports surged to 0.8 mt in 2022 amid war rerouting.
Verified9Ukraine's steel exports to Middle East totaled 1.5 mt in 2021.
Directional10In 2023 Q1, exports of Ukrainian billets hit 1.1 million tonnes mainly to Turkey.
Single source11Vietnam imported 0.7 million tonnes Ukrainian steel semis in 2021.
Verified12Spanish imports from Ukraine steel reached 0.9 mt in 2021.
Verified13Ukraine's HRC exports in 2021 were 2.3 million tonnes, 18% of total.
Verified14In 2022, Egypt became top importer with 1.2 mt Ukrainian steel.
Directional15Ukrainian pipe exports totaled 1.1 million tonnes in 2021 to EU and Turkey.
Single source16Taiwan imported 0.6 mt Ukrainian slabs in 2021.
Verified17In 2023, Ukraine's steel export revenue was $4.2 billion for H1.
Verified18India received 0.4 mt Ukrainian steel products in 2022.
Verified19Ukrainian long products exports to Africa were 0.3 mt in 2021.
Directional20Mexico imported 0.5 mt Ukrainian wire rods in 2021.
Single source21Ukraine imported 0.8 million tonnes steel in 2021, mainly flat products.
Verified22In 2022, steel imports rose 20% to 1.0 mt despite production drop.
Verified23China supplied 45% of Ukraine's steel imports in 2021, 0.36 mt.
Verified24EU steel imports to Ukraine totaled 0.2 mt in 2021.
Directional25Turkey's steel exports to Ukraine were 0.15 mt in 2021.
Single sourceExports and Markets Interpretation
Ukraine's steel industry once flexed as a global export powerhouse, but now, like a factory with a forced power-down, it has halved its output and rerouted its remaining strength through resilience and new partnerships forged in the crucible of war.
Financial Metrics
1ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih revenue in 2021 was $4.8 billion from steel sales.
Verified2Metinvest net profit in 2021 reached $2.1 billion, driven by steel prices.
Verified3Ukraine steel industry contributed 2.5% to GDP in 2021, $5.6 billion.
Verified4Zaporizhstal EBITDA in 2021 was $450 million.
Directional5Interpipe group's revenue 2021: $1.7 billion, 70% from pipes.
Single source6In 2022, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih EBITDA fell to $300 million from $1.2B.
Verified7Metinvest steel segment sales volume generated $8.9 billion revenue 2021.
Verified8Ukraine steel export average price in 2021 was $890/tonne.
Verified9Ilyich Steel Works net income 2021: $650 million.
Directional10Promet Steel sales revenue 2021: $520 million.
Single source11Steel industry tax payments to Ukraine budget in 2021: $2.8 billion.
Verified12ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih capex investment 2021: $250 million.
Verified13Metinvest debt reduced to $1.2 billion by end-2021.
Verified14Average steel selling price for Ukrainian producers $950/mt in 2021.
Directional15Zaporizhstal capex 2021: $120 million on upgrades.
Single source16Interpipe EBITDA margin 2021: 28%.
Verified17Ukraine steel industry forex earnings 2021: $11 billion.
Verified18Dneprospetsstal revenue 2021: $380 million.
Verified19In 2023 Q1, Kryvyi Rih revenue $1.1 billion.
Directional20Metinvest 2022 losses: $1.5 billion due to asset impairments.
Single source21Steel cost of production in Ukraine averaged $550/tonne in 2021.
Verified22ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih dividend payout 2021: $100 million.
Verified23Total steel industry investments in Ukraine 2021: $1.2 billion.
VerifiedFinancial Metrics Interpretation
Even as the 2021 figures roared with the clang of record profits and hefty tax payments, the impending shadow of 2022 would soon demonstrate how quickly a furnace of prosperity can be banked by the cold reality of war.
Production Volumes
1Ukraine's crude steel production in 2021 reached 21.4 million metric tons, making it the 8th largest producer globally.
Verified2ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih produced 4.7 million tonnes of crude steel in 2021, accounting for 22% of Ukraine's total output.
Verified3In 2022, Ukraine's pig iron production dropped to 5.7 million tonnes amid the Russian invasion.
Verified4Metinvest's pig iron output at Avdiivka Coke Plant was 2.8 million tonnes in 2021 before disruptions.
Directional5Ukraine produced 15.8 million tonnes of rolled steel products in 2021.
Single source6In H1 2023, Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant (part of Metinvest) produced 8.2 million tonnes of iron ore.
Verified7Zaporizhstal steel plant output fell to 0.9 million tonnes in 2022 from 2.1 million in 2021.
Verified8Ukraine's semi-finished steel production was 11.2 million tonnes in 2021.
Verified9Interpipe's pipe production reached 550,000 tonnes in 2021.
Directional10In 2023 Q1, Ukraine's steel production rebounded to 1.6 million tonnes.
Single source11Dnepr metallurgical plant produced 1.2 million tonnes of steel billets in 2021.
Verified12Azovstal plant's crude steel output was 3.5 million tonnes in 2021 before destruction.
Verified13Ukraine's 2020 steel production was 23.8 million tonnes, up 3.5% YoY.
Verified14Ilyich Iron and Steel Works produced 4.1 million tonnes of crude steel in 2021.
Directional15In 2022, total Ukrainian steel slab production was 2.4 million tonnes.
Single source16Enakievo Metallurgical Plant output halted post-2022 invasion, previously 1.8 mtpa capacity utilized at 85% in 2021.
Verified17Ukraine's ferroalloy production in 2021 was 1.1 million tonnes.
Verified18ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih's hot-rolled coil production hit 3.2 million tonnes in 2021.
Verified19In 2023, Ukraine's steel production for January-February was 2.7 million tonnes.
Directional20Metinvest's total crude steel in 2020 was 8.9 million tonnes.
Single source21Kamysh-Zarya Electrometallurgical Plant produced 0.4 million tonnes of steel in 2021.
Verified22Ukraine's steel wire rod production in 2021 was 1.05 million tonnes.
Verified23In Q4 2022, despite war, Kryvyi Rih produced 1.1 million tonnes crude steel.
Verified24Promet Steel's billet production was 0.6 million tonnes in 2021.
Directional25Ukraine's 2019 steel output peaked at 24.3 million tonnes historically.
Single source26Billets production share in Ukraine's steel output was 52% in 2021.
Verified27In 2023 H1, iron ore production reached 17.8 million tonnes.
Verified28Zaporozhye Ferroalloy Plant produced 0.3 million tonnes ferrosilicon in 2021.
Verified29Total Ukrainian steel products rolled in 2020: 19.4 million tonnes.
Directional30ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih's 2023 Q1 crude steel was 0.9 million tonnes.
Single sourceProduction Volumes Interpretation
Ukraine's steel industry, a formidable titan ranked eighth globally, has been brutally reforged by war, with its 2021 peak of over 21 million tonnes shattered into fragments of resilience, like the 1.1 million tonnes still defiantly produced in Kryvyi Rih during a single war-torn quarter.
Sources & References
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- Reference 5UKRSTATukrstat.gov.uaVisit source
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- Reference 7INTERPIPEinterpipe.bizVisit source
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- Reference 14ECec.europa.euVisit source