[Ferro-Alloys.com] At the 11th China Ferro-alloys international confenerce, Mr. Vitali Postolenko gave a splendid speech on Ukrainian Manganese Market Development in 2014.

Mr Vitali Postolenko pointed out that the Ukrainian metallurgy is export oriented and exports account for eighty percent of total. Ukrainian crude steel production in 2013 was essentially flat compared to 2012. Due to insufficient domestic demand, Ukrainian metallurgical production output begun to gradual decline in the wake of the economic crisis.

From the point of view of bulk alloy production areas, Mr. Vitali Postolenko said that bulk alloy production allocated in Ukrainian mainly in the southeast, so the relationship with Russia would bring about some impact on ferroalloy market.

In addition, Mr Vitali Postolenko mentioned Ukrainian metallurgy itself exist own problems. Metallurgical smelting furnaces are old ages with more than 60% wear rate. If the problem fails to settle, ferroalloy industry in Ukrainian would lack of competitive edge in international market. Of course, it will also bring about new opportunity to China and Europe with relative improved metallurgical technology and equipment.

In the end, Mr Vitali Postolenko reflected from an optimistic view, crude steel production growth would also dirve ferroalloy industry, but specific situation will still depend largely on how the policy change.

• [Editor:Sophie]