Russian steelmaker Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has announced its production and sales data for the first quarter of the current year. According to the company statement, NLMK's crude steel output in the first quarter decreased to 3.91 million mt, down 3.8 percent compared to the previous quarter. This reduction in steel production was related mainly to the reduction in its long products segment output (down 7.5 percent quarter on quarter) due to the development of a new product.
In the given quarter, NLMK Group's sales jumped by 8.3 percent quarter on quarter to 3.867 million mt driven by improved demand and restocking. Sales of rolled steel products went up by 11 percent quarter on quarter to 2.565 million mt.
Sales to the Russian market rose by 6.1 percent quarter on quarter to 1.549 million mt. Sales to other markets totaled 2.318 million mt (up 9.8 percent quarter on quarter) or accounting for 60 percent of total sales.
NLMK also stated that its second quarter output is expected to remain line with first quarter levels due to scheduled maintenance of the hot end operations at Novolipetsk.