OREANDA-NEWS. Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol’s blast furnace shop made a monthly record of more than 140,000 tons of pig iron in March. It set a new record for daily output as well: 6,800 tons of cold pig iron on 31 March.

The commercial pig iron was shipped to customers in Italy and the United States. Last month, the company made its first direct delivery to the United Arab Emirates.

The blast furnace shop has also started producing new pyramid-shaped pig iron, which is in demand abroad. Today all four of its pig casting machines are producing “pyramids” for export.

The March records were the result of extensive preparation. Last year, the plant tightened control over its repair schedule; timely maintenance and repairs have helped to ensure the stable operation of machinery and meet production targets.

During peak times, Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol used to stop its casting machines every four months for overhauls to ensure trouble-free operation.

Railway personnel at the plant used standby equipment to deliver ladles with liquid pig iron to casters on time.  

The company also increased cold pig iron inventory. Additional Sennebogen handlers helped to ship pig iron on time without overstocking the warehouses.

Yuriy Zinchenko, general director of Ilyich Iron & Steel Works of Mariupol:

“We have increased commercial product output since last year when the cost effectiveness of pig iron production rose. Today it is commercial pig iron that is keeping the blast furnace utilization rates high and helping retain jobs. Our products are in demand abroad as well. If the long-sought peace in Donbass region takes hold and the government pursues a transparent policy for dealing with business, the metals sector will survive and have new development prospects.”