According to Mr Vladimir Vlasyuk director of the state monitoring and consulting company Ukrpromzovnishexpertyza, as of June 17th 2009 the capacity utilization of Ukrainian steelmakers amounted to 58.8%.

Mr Vlasyuk said that low level of capacity utilization, as well as the low prices for steel in the world market has led to minimal profitability of the Ukrainian steel producers and to the increase of their accounts payable.

He added that the main problems of the Ukrainian steel producers are the high production costs of steel products, and also the low demand which forces the producers to reduce their prices.

(Sourced from SteelOrbis)