KIEV, Oct. 26 - Azovstal shut down its No. 8 coking battery in another phase of the steelmaker's refurbishment and modernization, the company announced.

Improving coke-chemical production is an important aspect of Azovstal's development, company general director Dmytro Livshits said. Azovstal produces 70% of the coke for its blast furnace division.