Output of stainless steel flat rolled products in Russia decreased 1.1% to 28907 tonnes in H1 2011, comparing to the equal period of 2010. The share of HR flats is 61.1% while CR flats take 38.9%. In 1H 2010 this proportion was amounted to 63.2% and 36.8% respectively.

The grade mix of HR flats mainly consists of 300 series steels whose share in the overall HR output amounts to 93.5%. Likewise, the grade mix of CR flats is formed by 300 series steels with a share of 92.6% in the overall CR output.

The leading makers of stainless steel flat-rolled products in 1H 2011 are:

Chelyabinsky Plant (Mechel) - 22,300 tonnes or 77.3% out of the aggregate output in Russia. In H1 2010, Mechel's results were 23,160 tonnes or in other words 79.3%.

Red October Plant - 3,550 tonnes of 12.3% of the total. In H1 2010 - 3,670 tonnes of 12.6%.

Severstal - 1,280 tonnes (4.4%). In H1 2010 - 1,270 tonnes (4.4%).

Experts said that the decreasing output at Mechel's plant is connected with a change in its sales policy. In December 2010, Mechel decided to stop direct sales to trading companies.

(Sourced from www.ussa.su)