KYIV. Dec 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) - ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region) anticipates that steel smelting will grow by up to 15% in 2016, to some 7 million tonnes.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih CEO Paramjit Kahlon said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine last week in 2016 the increase in steel smelting compared to the business plan will be around 10% and compared to 2015 – by 12-15%.

"2016 was one of the best years in production. We are close to the figure of 7 million tonnes. I hope that the trend would be seen in 2017," the top manager said, adding that with the increase in production the company has reduced emission by 45% and water resource pollution decreased by 70%.

He said that 78-80% of products are exported.

Asked about supplies of metal products to Russia, Kahlon said that sales to Russia are small due to antidumping duties on rebar being around 10% and the 5% duty on supplies of all goods to Russia. In addition, devaluation of the Russian ruble influenced supplies. The viability of goods supplies to Russia is small.

"Sometimes we receive attractive offers and accept them," he said.