PJSC Novolipetsk Steel said Oct. 15 that third-quarter steel output was flat year over year at 4.4 million tonnes but reflected a 1% increase over the previous quarter due to higher output at its Russian plants.

Sales in the period grew 4% to 4.4 Mt thanks to higher sales of slabs, square billets and long products and to the growth in high-value add product sales to international markets.

Sales in home markets fell 5% to 2.7 Mt in the quarter, while sales to external markets increased 13% to 1.6 Mt. Iron ore concentrate output rose 7% year on year to 2.5 Mt, with pellet output up 2% to 1.7 Mt.

In the first nine months of 2018, steel output grew 3% to 13.1 Mt, and steel sales rose 7% to 13.0 Mt due to higher international demand for semifinished products and long steel.