EVRAZ announced that on 11 October the crude steel production at EVRAZ Vitkovice Steel (EVS) in the Czech Republic was temporarily closed due to low demand and the company’s plan to reduce its inventory. The rolling mill and heavy section mills will remain open as the company has open orders through the end of 2012. Fourth quarter 2012 crude steel production plans will be driven by market demand, EVRAZ said.

The EVS heavy section mill was also temporarily closed in February due to weak demand in Europe, but resumed operations in July as a result of margin and price improvement.