Last checked at 20 Apr 2016 07:00
EVRAZ Q1 2016 PRODUCTION REPORT
20 April 2016 - EVRAZ plc (LSE: EVR) ("EVRAZ" or the "Company") today releases its operational results for the first quarter of 2016.
Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
· Consolidated crude steel output remained stable at 3.5 million tonnes, with the Company's Russian steel mills running at full capacity.
· Production of steel products, net of re-rolled volumes, remained unchanged at 3.3 million tonnes.
· Output of railway products in Russia, including rails, surged by 25.0%, mostly due to higher consumption by Russian Railways, and increased export volumes to Latin America and the Middle East.
· Production of coking coal concentrate increased by 4.6%, driven by a rise in demand in Russia and Ukraine.
STEEL
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015* | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Coke (saleable) | 164 | 185 | -11.7% | 285 | -42.5% | |
Pig iron | 2,951 | 2,998 | -1.6% | 3,131 | -5.7% | |
Pig iron (saleable) | 144 | 127 | 13.2% | 71 | 104.0% | |
Crude steel | 3,544 | 3,562 | -0.5% | 3,914 | -9.5% | |
Steel products, gross** | 3,419 | 3,466 | -1.4% | 3,802 | -10.1% | |
Steel products, net of re-rolled volumes | 3,304 | 3,300 | 0.1% | 3,580 | -7.7% | |
Semi-finished products*** | 1,442 | 1,485 | -2.9% | 1,374 | 5.0% | |
Finished products | 1,862 | 1,815 | 2.6% | 2,207 | -15.6% | |
Construction products | 965 | 958 | 0.8% | 1,183 | -18.4% | |
Railway products | 408 | 362 | 12.5% | 400 | 2.0% | |
Flat-rolled products | 145 | 153 | -4.9% | 207 | -29.7% | |
Tubular products | 194 | 208 | -7.0% | 255 | -24.1% | |
Other steel products | 150 | 133 | 12.3% | 162 | -7.5% |
Note: Numbers in this table and the tables below may not add to totals due to rounding.
* Includes production volumes of EVRAZ Highveld Steel and Vanadium, which are not consolidated starting from April 2015 due to business rescue proceedings.
** Gross volume of steel products in the tables includes those re-rolled at other EVRAZ mills. However, such volumes are eliminated as intercompany sales for the purposes of EVRAZ's consolidated operating results.
*** Consolidated production volumes of semi-finished products are preliminary, as intra-group re-rolling volumes are yet to be finalised.
RUSSIA
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015 | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Coke (saleable) | 70 | 49 | 42.6% | 76 | -8.3% | |
Pig iron | 2,688 | 2,734 | -1.7% | 2,744 | -2.0% | |
Pig iron (saleable) | 134 | 122 | 9.8% | 49 | 176.3% | |
Crude steel | 2,865 | 2,829 | 1.3% | 3,055 | -6.2% | |
Steel products, gross | 2,669 | 2,679 | -0.4% | 2,868 | -6.9% | |
Steel products, net of re-rolled volumes | 2,638 | 2,610 | 1.1% | 2,780 | -5.0% | |
Semi-finished products | 1,393 | 1,404 | -0.8% | 1,399 | -0.1% | |
Finished products | 1,245 | 1,206 | 3.2% | 1,381 | -9.9% | |
Construction products* | 821 | 858 | -4.4% | 981 | -16.4% | |
Railway products | 285 | 228 | 25.0% | 258 | 10.5% | |
Other steel products | 139 | 119 | 16.5% | 142 | -2.0% |
* Includes volumes produced by EVRAZ Caspian Steel in Kazakhstan
The output of crude steel and steel products (net of re-rolled volumes) increased by 1.3% and1.1% q-o-q respectively, driven mainly by a rise in the output of finished products, primarily railway and other steel products. There was also higher domestic demand for mine uprights.
Output of construction products fell by 4.4% q-o-q, caused by the decision to halt operations atEVRAZ Caspian Steel in January-February due to lower market demand.
Overall, prices in Q1 2016 were lower than in Q4 2015 due to a global decline that started in the prior year. Sales prices in Q2 2016 are expected to increase in line with the rising trend seen globally since March 2016. In addition, domestic prices for steel products will be supported by the start of the construction season.
Average selling prices
US$/tonne (ex works) | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2015 | |
Coke | 74 | 98 | 85 | |
Pig iron | 119 | 133 | 206 | |
Steel products |
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|
| |
Semi-finished products | 176 | 203 | 303 | |
Construction products | 271 | 325 | 418 | |
Railway products | 414 | 495 | 512 | |
Other steel products | 307 | 352 | 421 |
NORTH AMERICA
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016* | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015 | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Crude steel | 410 | 457 | -10.5% | 477 | -14.2% | |
Steel products, net of re-rolled volumes | 528 | 540 | -2.1% | 614 | -14.1% | |
Construction products | 66 | 44 | 50.3% | 76 | -12.6% | |
Railway products | 123 | 135 | -8.7% | 142 | -13.5% | |
Flat-rolled products | 145 | 153 | -4.9% | 142 | 2.6% | |
Tubular products | 194 | 208 | -7.0% | 255 | -24.1% |
* Q1 2016 production volumes are preliminary
In Q1 2016, EVRAZ North America's crude steel production decreased by 10.5% q-o-q due to a planned one-week outage at EVRAZ Pueblo and reduced output at the Regina steelmaking facility in response to lower tubular products demand.
Output of construction products increased 50.3% q-o-q as operating days in the wire rod mill improved to 50, which compares favorably to the abnormally low 39 operating days in Q4 2015 resulting from planned maintenance outages and lower seasonal demand.
Output of railway products decreased 8.7% q-o-q in response to lower demand.
Output of flat-rolled products decreased 4.9% q-o-q, the Portland plate mill experienced 3 week planned maintenance outage to complete re-lining its re-heat furnace.
Output of tubular products fell by 7.0% q-o-q due to lower demand for oil country tubular goods and small-diameter line pipe, which was partly offset by increased large-diameter pipe production.
Prices for most steel products continued to decline in Q1 2016, reflecting the prevailing declines in prices for scrap and other inputs, as well as continued pressure from imports.
Average selling prices
US$/tonne (ex works) | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2015 | |
Construction products | 493 | 536 | 707 | |
Flat-rolled products | 590 | 630 | 904 | |
Tubular products | 977 | 1,009 | 1,277 |
UKRAINE
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015 | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Coke (saleable) | 93 | 136 | -31.3% | 208 | -55.1% | |
Pig iron | 263 | 264 | -0.5% | 236 | 11.4% | |
Pig iron (saleable) | 10 | 5 | 93.6% | 22 | -55.4% | |
Crude steel | 269 | 276 | -2.7% | 233 | 15.5% | |
Steel products | 222 | 247 | -10.2% | 196 | 13.2% | |
Semi-finished products | 133 | 178 | -25.2% | 104 | 28.3% | |
Finished products | 89 | 69 | 28.1% | 92 | -3.8% | |
Construction products | 78 | 55 | 41.3% | 79 | -0.9% | |
Other steel products | 11 | 14 | -23.5% | 14 | -20.5% |
The reduction in saleable coke volumes in Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015 was caused by lower demand from third-party Ukrainian steel producers.
Output of steel products decreased by 10.2% q-o-q, as output of semi-finished products fell, partly offset by an increase in output of construction products in response to market demand.
Prices decreased in comparable periods, following the market trend. Pig iron prices were also affected by higher exports, whose prices were lower than domestic sales.
Average selling prices
US$/tonne (ex works) | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2015 | |
Coke (saleable) | 117 | 141 | 191 | |
Pig iron | 168 | 195 | 270 | |
Steel products |
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Semi-finished products | 211 | 223 | 350 | |
Construction products | 312 | 352 | 440 | |
Other steel products | 393 | 552 | 528 |
IRON ORE
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015 | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Sinter (Russia) | 2,774 | 2,810 | -1.3% | 2,837 | -2.2% | |
Pellets (Russia) | 1,649 | 1,635 | 0.9% | 1,631 | 1.1% | |
Lumpy ore (Ukraine) | 525 | 695 | -24.4% | 667 | -21.3% |
In Q1 2016, output of iron ore products (sinter plus pellets) was mostly flat q-o-q. The dip in sinter production at EVRAZ ZSMK was due to lower consumption caused by lower pig iron production.
In Ukraine, production of lumpy ore at EVRAZ Sukha Balka was 24.4% lower than in Q4 2015 due to the temporary suspension of mining operations in response to lower demand. Production was resumed starting April 2016. Production volumes are expected to recover in Q2 2016.
The decreases in pellet and lumpy ore prices in Q1 2016 followed the global benchmarks.
Average selling prices
US$/tonne (ex works) | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2015 | |
Pellets (Russia) | 30 | 40 | 47 | |
Lumpy ore (Ukraine) | 18 | 21 | 32 |
COAL
Product, '000 tonnes | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015 | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change | |
Raw coking coal (mined) | 5,514 | 6,127 | -10.0% | 5,467 | 0.8% | |
Yuzhkuzbassugol | 3,193 | 3,510 | -9.0% | 2,626 | 21.6% | |
Raspadskaya | 2,256 | 2,553 | -11.6% | 2,802 | -19.5% | |
Mezhegeyugol | 65 | 65 | 0.0% | 39 | 67.8% | |
Coking coal concentrate (production) | 3,590 | 3,432 | 4.6% | 3,380 | 6.2% |
In Q1 2016, production of raw coking coal decreased by 10.0% compared with Q4 2015, caused by planned longwall moves at the Raspadskaya mine and unfavourable geological conditions at the Uskovskaya and Osinnikovskaya mines.
To boost production volumes of coking coal concentrate (up 4.6% q-o-q) in response to greater demand in Russia and Ukraine, purchases of raw coking coal were increased.
The weighted average prices of coking coal concentrate and raw coking coal decreased in Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015, following the global benchmarks. Domestic prices, when re-calculated in US dollars, also fell due to Russian rouble depreciation in Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015.
Average selling prices
US$/tonne (ex works)
|
Q1 2016 |
Q4 2015 |
Q1 2015 |
Raw coking coal | 29 | 32 | 31 |
Coking coal concentrate | 52 | 56 | 55 |
VANADIUM
Product, tonnes of V* | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2016/Q4 2015, change | Q1 2015** | Q1 2016/ Q1 2015, change |
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Vanadium slag, gross production | 4,097 | 4,094 | 0.1% | 5,917 | -30.8% |
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Russia | 4,097 | 4,094 | 0.1% | 4,129 | -0.8% |
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South Africa | 0 | 0 | n/a | 1,788 | -100.0% |
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Vanadium in final products (saleable) | 3,491 | 3,098 | 12.7% | 5,199 | -32.8% |
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* Calculated in pure vanadium equivalent
** Includes production volumes of EVRAZ Highveld Steel and Vanadium and its subsidiary, Hochvanadium, which are not consolidated starting from April 2015 due to business rescue proceedings.
Vanadium slag production was flat in Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015.
Production of final vanadium products increased by almost 13% q-o-q, driven by strong demand for ferrovanadium in Russia, recovery of production volumes of Nitrovan® at Vametco (South Africa) after the reduction of production in Q4 2015 due to an expected decline in demand, which did not materialise. In addition, production of ferrovanadium at Nikom (Czech Republic) increased in comparable periods due to higher oxide availability.
Production of oxides, vanadium aluminium and chemicals decreased in Q1 2016 vs Q4 2015 due to idled oxide production at Stratcor (US).
The average Metall Bulletin FeV80 index increased by 8.6% to US$14.6/kgV in Q1 2016, vs. US$13.46/kgV in Q4 2015. Meanwhile, the Ryan's Notes index, used in North America, averaged US$14.48/kgV, down 3.5% from US$15.01/kgV in Q4 2015. In Q1 2016, sales of vanadium products were based on spot prices that reflected the declining indices in Q4 2015. The increase in FeV indices in Q1 2016 will influence sales prices in the coming months.
Average FeV indices
US$/tonne of V | Q1 2016 | Q4 2015 | Q1 2015 | |
Metal Bulletin Ferro-Vanadium basis 78% min, free DDP, consumer plant, 1st grade Western Europe | 14.60 | 13.46 | 21.78 | |
Ryan's Notes N.A. FeV 80% min, US ex-warehouse, duty paid | 14.48 | 15.01 | 24.92 |
Notes:
Semi-finished products include slabs, billets, pipe blanks and other semi-finished products.
Construction products include beams, channels, angles, rebars, wire rods, wire, and other construction products.
Railway products include rails, wheels, tyres and other railway products.
Flat-rolled products include commodity plate, specialty plate and other flat products.
Tubular products include large diameter line pipes, ERW pipes and casings, seamless pipes and other tubular products.
Other steel products include rounds, grinding balls, mine uprights, strips etc. For Ukraine, they also include railway products, and for South Africa rails.
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For further information:
Media Relations:
London: +44 207 832 8998 Moscow: +7 495 937 6871
media@evraz.com
Investor Relations:
London: +44 207 832 8990 Moscow: +7 495 232 1370
ir@evraz.com
EVRAZ is a vertically integrated steel, mining and vanadium business with operations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the US, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy and South Africa. EVRAZ is among the top steel producers in the world, based on crude steel production of 14.3 million tonnes in 2015. A significant portion of its internal consumption of iron ore and coking coal is covered by its mining operations. For the year ended 31 December 2015, consolidated revenues were US$8,767 million and consolidated EBITDA amounted to US$1,438 million.