According to the corporate newspaper 'Metallurg', citing a statement by the CEO of PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih during a meeting with local media, the company is centering its strategy on resilience and the preservation of operations. The enterprise operates under conditions of prolonged unprofitability, loss of export markets, high energy costs, and logistical constraints. Additional pressure stems from the consequences of CBAM and security risks to infrastructure. Despite these challenges, AMKR remains the largest employer in Kryvyi Rih and a key taxpayer for the city and the state.
Financial Burden, Export Losses, and Security Risks
In 2025, the company's share in the budget revenues of Kryvyi Rih was 27%, while tax and other payments to budgets of all levels increased by almost 28% compared to 2024, reaching 8.5 billion UAH. However, management warns that these revenues may decrease in 2026 due to lost access to certain markets. According to the company, the business has been operating in a loss-making environment for four years, and the combined impact of costs, logistics, and regulatory pressure continues to intensify.
Last year, AMKR's net loss amounted to nearly 9 billion UAH, and in the first quarter of 2026, it reached 4.6 billion UAH. The company specifically highlights the impact of CBAM: a column for GMK Center noted that in the first quarter of 2026, the plant lost 300,000 tons of steel exports. Previously, AMKR planned to ship 1.2–1.25 million tons of products to Europe—nearly half of its total steel production—but this direction has effectively been lost. This represents not only a blow to the producer's financial performance but also additional pressure on the entire Ukrainian steel market.
Production security remains a critical factor. According to CTS data, the enterprise has recently faced targeted drone attacks on its logistics infrastructure. Over two months, 12 locomotives were destroyed, with total losses estimated at approximately $50 million. Following an attack on April 28, one employee was killed and eight others were injured, highlighting the vital role of personnel protection and transport hub security for the continuity of the metallurgical cycle.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
For the Ukrainian metal market, the situation surrounding AMKR is indicative: the combination of high production costs, export barriers, and logistics disruptions increases volatility across the entire supply chain. For industrial consumers, this necessitates more careful procurement planning, diversification of supply sources, and strict inventory control. In such conditions, the role of suppliers capable of providing predictable deliveries and stable commercial terms becomes increasingly important.
As a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, winox.ua operates within the logic of market resilience, which is currently key for the entire industry. The company helps clients mitigate operational risks through reliable supply, a wide product range, and a practical approach to meeting production needs. Amidst price and logistical pressure, winox.ua remains a partner that supports supply stability for machinery manufacturing, construction, energy, and metalworking.
AMKR's statements also demonstrate that 2026 is a year of capacity preservation and critical investment for the steel industry, rather than expansion. This is an important signal for processors and buyers: the market increasingly depends on a company's ability to quickly adapt to external constraints. Consequently, the demand for professional service, flexible supply, and proven metal procurement channels continues to grow. For the B2B segment, this is no longer just a question of price, but a matter of production continuity.