A Message of Unity and Endurance
In a heartfelt message to employees, veterans, city residents, and the entire Kryvyi Rih community, Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, reflected on the remarkable journey of the plant. He emphasized that the company’s history is woven with resilience, having survived through the Holodomor, World War II, the Soviet era, Ukraine’s independence, technological revolutions, and now a brutal modern war.
The 90th anniversary serves as a tribute to:
- Veterans who dedicated their lives to the plant.
- Current employees who continue to sustain the production lines under challenging circumstances.
- Soldiers and colleagues who have bravely defended Ukraine, some sacrificing their lives.
- The younger generation, who are poised to become the future metallurgists of Ukraine.
The anniversary is not just a milestone—it is a reminder of shared history and a commitment to building a stronger future. Longobardo noted that while grand celebrations are not appropriate during wartime, the company will one day celebrate Ukraine’s victory and continue its mission to develop, rebuild, and grow.
“90 years is not the finish line—it is a new starting point. It is just the beginning.”
– Mauro Longobardo, CEO, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih
What is ArcelorMittal?
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel and mining company, headquartered in Luxembourg. It operates in more than 60 countries and employs over 150,000 people globally. ArcelorMittal produces high-quality steel products used across industries such as construction, automotive, energy, household appliances, and packaging.
The company’s mission, “Steel with mind: for people and planet,” reflects its focus on sustainable production, innovation, and reducing environmental impact.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is one of the oldest and most significant plants within the company’s global network. It is Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical enterprise and plays a pivotal role in both the Ukrainian economy and the global steel supply chain.
A Legacy of Leadership and Sustainable Development
Since the landmark privatization in 2005, when Mittal Steel acquired Kryvorizhstal for $4.85 billion in an open auction—the largest investment in Ukraine since independence—the company has been part of the global ArcelorMittal family. Since then, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih has upheld the corporation’s core values: safety, sustainability, quality, and leadership.
For 18 years of work in Ukraine, the company has invested more than UAH 5 billion in social development and charity. The main areas of social initiatives are education, health, ecology and local community development.
With the beginning of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, the main direction of social and charitable activities was to help victims of the war and support the defense forces of Kryvyi Rih. In 2022, ArcelorMittal sent more than 380 million UAH for these purposes.
During the year, in 2023, priorities shifted to urgent large-scale infrastructure projects for the city related to the elimination of the consequences of terrorist acts of the Russian aggressor (the expansion of the water intake channel of the Saksagan River, the construction from scratch of a water pipeline more than 4 km long from the Ingulets River to the Pivdenne reservoir using the enterprise’s network), as well as to help the defenders of Ukraine and communities. In general, the amount of assistance since the beginning of the war amounted to more than 680 million UAH.
ArcelorMittal’s philosophy, “Steel with mind: for people and planet,” is evident in its Ukrainian operations. Over the past 18 years, the company has invested more than UAH 5 billion in social initiatives focused on education, healthcare, environmental protection, and local community development. Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion, these efforts have expanded to include critical humanitarian aid and defense support, with more than UAH 680 million allocated to these causes.
Key Investments and Milestones
ArcelorMittal has invested $10.7 billion in Ukraine over 18 years, including significant upgrades to production facilities, environmental projects, and modernization initiatives. Notable investments include:
- Reconstruction of coke oven batteries, blast furnaces, and agglomeration workshops.
- Construction of new continuous casting machines and ladle furnaces.
- Development of advanced gas treatment and environmental monitoring systems.
- Infrastructure projects like the Map III tailings dump and critical water supply channels for Kryvyi Rih.
In 2024, the company completed a major overhaul of blast furnace No. 6, significantly increasing production capacity despite challenging military conditions.
Overcoming Modern Challenges
The war in Ukraine brought unprecedented operational difficulties for ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. Constant threats to energy infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, and the destruction of the Kakhovka dam forced temporary production shutdowns. Despite these setbacks, the company retained its workforce, avoided layoffs, and continued paying competitive wages and taxes.
In 2023, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih contributed UAH 4.1 billion in taxes and fees to local and national budgets, including a significant land tax supporting Kryvyi Rih’s municipal development.
However, the steel plant operated at only 25-30% capacity last year due to persistent energy shortages and raw material price increases. As production slowly recovers, the company is focused on maximizing output and regaining financial stability under ongoing wartime constraints.
When the situation began to slowly improve, the enemy destroyed the Kakhovka dam, and the company was forced to again suspend the work of a number of production facilities. All this negatively affected the competitiveness of the products of the steel plant.
Now the goal is to maximize capacity utilization and production volumes, to break even, to make a significant contribution to the budgets of all levels. However, this will again have to be done under difficult conditions, in particular, energy shortages due to Russian attacks.
Investing in People and the Future
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is more than a steelmaker; it is the city’s largest employer and a symbol of industrial heritage. With over 20,000 employees, many of whom are part of multi-generational labor dynasties, the company continues to invest in people.
Through mentorship programs, youth training initiatives, and its “New Factory” dual education project, ArcelorMittal offers career-starting opportunities for students across Ukraine. Even amid war, the company adapted its training programs to ensure continued skills development.
The company annually accepts more than a thousand students from all over the country. However, since February 2022, its holding at workplaces has been suspended, offering an alternative.
In addition, in 2021, the company launched a unique dual education project «New Factory,» which involved 300 first-year students. In the new, military realities, the project was transformed, the learning process changed, but the quality of student training remained at a high level. Its first participants have already received diplomas, its second wave continues.
On the eve of the birthday of the enterprise, it has also become a tradition to gather annually with veterans – this anniversary year they are again preparing a creative event.
Honoring History
The company maintains its on-site museum, established in 1984, which showcases over 5,000 historical exhibits, including artifacts from ArcelorMittal’s industrial evolution and, more recently, remnants of Russian weaponry collected by employees serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Since July 2018, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih PJSC has been taking on excursions around the enterprise not only children whose parents work at the enterprise, but also schoolchildren, students, residents and guests of the city. In 2021, more than 2.5 thousand people visited them.
Despite the war, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih has a long-term development strategy in Ukraine, the company is ready for the challenges of time and difficult working conditions. The company will continue to pay taxes and invest in the region of presence. Thanks to these investments, both the steel plant and Kryvyi Rih, which are closely connected, have a future. In addition, the company plans to take a full part in the post-war reconstruction of the country.
ArcelorMittal also organizes annual veteran events and continues to open its doors to the community through guided tours and educational visits.
A Commitment to Ukraine’s Future
Despite the devastating impacts of war, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih remains committed to Ukraine. The company’s long-term development strategy includes sustained investment, capacity rebuilding, and participation in the country’s post-war reconstruction. Its resilience underscores the interconnected future of the steel plant and the city of Kryvyi Rih.
ArcelorMittal’s 90-year journey in Ukraine is not just a story of industrial might—it is a testament to endurance, community, and the will to rebuild.
ArcelorMittal’s Recent Annual Performance
According to ArcelorMittal’s 2024 Annual Report, the company has continued to focus on:
- Decarbonization efforts: Investing in low-carbon steel technologies and expanding the use of electric arc furnaces to reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Financial stability: Despite facing global economic pressures, the company reported a solid financial position with stable cash flow and a commitment to shareholder returns.
- Strategic growth: Continued investments in sustainable steel production and emerging markets, while navigating challenges such as high energy costs and fluctuating steel demand.
In 2024, ArcelorMittal’s total steel shipments reached 55.9 million tonnes, and the company generated $68.3 billion in revenue. The company also prioritized social initiatives, workplace safety, and resilience in conflict zones, including its continued support of operations in Ukraine during the war.
The annual report highlights ArcelorMittal’s strong commitment to Ukraine, with continued investments in ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, humanitarian aid, and plans to contribute to Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
Looking Ahead
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is not only celebrating its remarkable history—it is preparing for the future. The company remains steadfast in its mission to:
- Preserve jobs for thousands of employees.
- Support local communities and the city of Kryvyi Rih.
- Continue production despite wartime challenges.
- Participate actively in rebuilding Ukraine in the years to come.
The 90th anniversary is a celebration of courage, a recognition of resilience, and a powerful reminder that the steel spirit of Kryvyi Rih—and Ukraine—cannot be broken.
Happy birthday, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. Together, let’s build, endure, and win.
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