The Kametstal Metallurgical Plant, part of the Metinvest Group, has resumed operations at its rolling mill following nearly a year of forced downtime caused by wartime disruptions. The restart comes amid continued energy instability and infrastructure challenges affecting industrial operations. Despite these conditions, the rolling mill has successfully produced its first batch of 524 tonnes of railway axles, marking a significant step in restoring production capacity.
During the conflict, the facility faced severe shortages of steel billets previously supplied by Azovstal. In 2025, an alternative domestic supplier was also unable to meet production requirements due to the ongoing war, resulting in a prolonged suspension of operations at the wheel-rolling section.
Specialists from Metinvest and Kametstal worked to secure alternative imported billet supplies and prepare production infrastructure for restart. Comprehensive technical preparation of billets and refurbishment of equipment at Mill 250 began in December 2025, paving the way for operations to resume in January. The facility is now producing hot-rolled railway axles for both domestic and European customers.
In 2025, Kametstal maintained its position as a key innovation center within Metinvest’s metallurgical operations. Of the 11 new metal product types introduced across the group during the year, seven were developed and implemented by the Kametstal team, underscoring its engineering and product development capabilities even under challenging circumstances. The resumption of rolling mill operations strengthens supply continuity for railway infrastructure customers and reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining production resilience amid adverse conditions.
Metinvest Group is an international vertically integrated steel and mining group with a strong presence across Eastern Europe. Headquartered in Ukraine, the group operates along the entire value chain, from iron ore and coal mining to steelmaking and downstream processing, enabling supply security, cost efficiency and consistent product quality.
Metinvest’s portfolio includes mining assets producing iron ore concentrate and pellets, coke and coal operations, and metallurgical plants manufacturing flat and long steel products. The company serves customers across infrastructure, construction, railway, energy, engineering and machinery sectors, supplying both domestic and international markets, including Europe and the Middle East.
Despite operating in an extremely challenging environment in recent years, Metinvest has continued to sustain industrial activity, protect jobs and support critical supply chains. The group has invested in operational resilience, alternative logistics routes and technological adaptation to ensure continuity of production. Innovation and product development remain central to its strategy, with a focus on higher value-added steel grades and customer-specific solutions.
Sustainability and responsible business practices are integral to Metinvest’s long-term vision. The company is working to reduce its environmental footprint, improve energy efficiency and align its operations with global decarbonization goals, while maintaining high standards of workplace safety and corporate governance. Through its integrated model, technical expertise and commitment to resilience, Metinvest continues to play a vital role in the global steel and mining industry.
