NLMK is still in "…tough" talks with unions and Belgian 49% joint venture member Sogepa over the proposed plan to restructure the Clabecq plant, which involves cutting the workforce by 50%. So said NLMK ceo Grigory Fedorishin at a media briefing on Monday.

"We are still in talks and the plant is still idle – a month since it stopped. Our major concern is reputation with customers, some of which are already feeling the pain," Fedorishin said at the event attended by Kallanish.

The restructuring will optimise costs and product range by closing part of the operations and upgrading the rest, "…like was done in La Louviere," he adds. The plan includes adding 0.2 million tonnes/year of Q&T and DQ plate output at Clabecq, bringing capacity utilisation to 80% but keeping intact the existing 0.7m t/y of total output.

These plans are based on a targeted workforce, Fedorishin said, with NLMK's “plan A” to persuade the parties that the plan makes sense.

As part of the strategy, NLMK plans to keep overall market share intact at 6-7%, but wants to increase premium products sales by expanding product mix. By 2023 sales of thin and high-strength strip would rise by 0.6m t/y and of premium coated products by 0.1m t/y, to total 2.2m t/y.

NLMK plans to upgrade rolling and galvanising lines at La Louviere and Strasbourg, lifting its capacity utilisation to 80-85%. Denmark-based Dansteel's output of 0.5m t/y is set to be ramped up to 0.7m t/y in line with forecasted wind power and pressure vessels demand increase. This will be done by adding an accelerated cooling system and new reheating furnace, among other features.