Recently published official statistics and company results show that tinplate business has been better than other parts of the steel industry in Russia and Kazakstan. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works in Russia produced 212,00 tonnes of tinplate in 2009, down 2% on the previous year, while Kazakhstan’s ArcelorMittal Temirtau produced 201,000 tonnes, an increase of 15.5%. The two companies are the sole producers in the respective countries.

In its fourth quarter report Magnitigorsk noted that production of “high value added products” (including tinplate and other downstream products plus thick plate and CRC) fell by 12% last year while its crude steel output dropped by 20%. Tinplate production in Q4 last year, at 41,000 tonnes, was slightly ahead of the 39,000 tonnes produced in the recession-hit final quarter of 2008, but down on the 59,000 tonnes produced in Q3 2009.

The Republic of Kazakhstan's Agency of Statistics reported a revival in the country’s steel production last year, with crude steel production growing by 2.3% and flat-rolled steel output up 5.5%. The biggest growth rates were recorded in tinplate and galvanized steel (+10.5%). ArcelorMittal Temirtau has three tinning lines with a combined capacity of 375,000 tpy. Apart from supplying CIS markets it is also a major exporter, particularly to Middle East markets.