KYIV, Feb 2 - Metinvest, the largest Ukrainian mining and metallurgical holding, in 2021 increased steel production by 15% compared to 2020 - up to 9.533 million tons, pig iron - also by 15%, up to 9.709 million tons, but reduced total coke production by 5% - to 4.551 million tons.

According to a press release from the parent company Metinvest B.V. on operating results for 2021 and the fourth quarter, in October-December 2021, the group's pig iron production remained almost at the level of the previous quarter and amounted to 2.653 million tons. The main reason is the purchase by Dniprovsky Coke Chemical Plant of the integrated property complex of Dniprovsky Metallurgical Combine and the consolidation of production volumes of the latter since August 2021, the effect of which in the fourth quarter amounted to 169,000 tons. This compensated for the decline in production of the Mariupol plants: Azovstal - by 94,000 tons and Illich Steel Mill - by 73,000 tons due to cost optimization against the backdrop of rising energy prices.