Post-Soviet issues and sustainability of iron and steel industry in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This paper offers a comparative analysis of various aspects of transition of the iron and steel industry in countries of Central-East Europe as well as in Russia and Ukraine during a quarter of century after the collapse of Soviet Union. Different socio-economic patterns of transition resulted in significant divergence in the outcomes achieved so far in the countries covered in this study. Restructuring of iron and steel industry, successful modernisation of machinery manufacturing sector and robust domestic demand for steel in the countries of Central-East Europe delivered more sustainable and technologically flexible socio-economic model where value-added finishing dominates over energy-intensive and polluting manufacturing of semi-product, whereas Russia and Ukraine are more specialised in semi-product and reliant on the global demand for steel. After 2014 in Russia and Ukraine, transition of iron and steel industry is driven by different vectors: Russia tends to recombine self-sufficient market within the Euro-Asian Economic Union, and Ukraine explores opportunities of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU. Understanding of experience gained is important to better withstand new challenges related to modernisation of installed capacities, deployment of new technologies, and optimisation of resource and energy usage in the context of transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable economy.