Russian stainless steel consumption increased by 5.8% year-on-year to 491,200 tons in 2018

According to the Russian Special Steel Association, Russianstainless steel consumption increased by 5.8% year-on-year to 492,200 tons in2018. Among them, the consumption of stainless steel cold rolled coilsincreased by 9.8%, hot rolled products increased by 2.0%, bars increased by6.7%, seamless pipes increased by 22.3%, and slabs increased by 36.7%. Theconsumption of welded pipes, tube blanks and wire rods decreased by 4.2%, 24.5%and 4.6%, respectively.

Russia's domestic stainless steel production increased by2.1%, exports increased by 18%, and imports increased by 7.2%. 77% of Russianstainless steel consumption depends on imports. The import volume is about393,300 tons.