KIEV, Nov. 28 - Industrial Union of Donbas (IUD) on Tuesday launched the first phase of a new oxygen converter division at its Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works (AMK), completing the first phase of the modernization of steelmaking facilities at the works.

The first phase, which includes one converter that can produce 2.5 million-3 million tons of steel per year and the related shop infrastructure, cost UAH 5 billion (about $1 billion), AMK said.