THE ROMANIAN STEEL INDUSTRY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001900030043-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 17, 2005
• Sequence Number: 43
• Content Type: REPORT

STAT
Approved For Release 2005/12/14 :CIA-RDP85T00875R001900030043-8
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The Romanian Steel Industry
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In 1973 Romania produced 8.2 million metric tons of
crude steel -- slightly more than 1% of the world total --
and ranked 14th among world producers. Among the Communist
countries of Eastern Europe Romania ranks third, after Poland
and Czechoslovakia.
Notwithstanding its modest standing among world steel
producers, Romania has made considerable progress since 1960
when its output of steel amounted to only 1.0 million tons.
Much of the impetus for expansion of the iron and steel in-
dustry came during 1966-70 when annual investment averaged
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about 3.3 billion leis -- about 75% more than annual outlays
during the preceding 5-year period. Investment dropped off
somewhat to 3.0 billion leis in 1971 and 3.2 billion leis in
1972.
The major share of investment since 1965 has gone for
the construction of a large new integrated steel plant at
Galati near the Black Sea. The plant is scheduled to attain
an annual output of 5 million tons of crude steel by 1975.
Another important project has been the construction of an
alloy steel plant at Tirgoviste. Several of the older plants
mainly those at Hunedoara and Resita are undergoing moderni-
zation and some expansion.
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Approved For Release 2005/12/14: CIA-RDP85T00875R001900030043-8
Because its domestic resources of raw materials are
limited, Romania has become increasingly dependent on foreign
supplies in order to sustain the growth in iron and steel
production. Domestic production of iron ore has leveled off
at about 3.5 million tons whereas imports of iron ore have
increased steadily,reaching 7.6 million tons in 1972, and
they are scheduled for further increases in the years ahead.
Domestic production of coke, much of which is produced using
imported coking coal, remained steady at 1.1 million tons
during 1965-72 whereas imports of coke increased from 0.9
to 2.5 million tons during the same period. Domestic pro-
duction in 1973 probably increased as a result of completion
of new coking. facilities at the Galati plant.
The technical level of the steel industry has been im-
proved in recent years as new facilities have been completed.
Romania has produced some of the equipment and components
for these projects, but, for the most part, they are of
foreign design and manufacture. Austria has provided oxygen
converter steelmaking equipment and technology; the USSR has
supplied a hot strip mill as well as designs and major com-
ponents for large capacity blast furnaces; and West Germany,
France, and the UK have supplied a variety of rolling mills,
including a cold rolled sheet mill.
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Approved For Release 2005/12/14: CIA-RD P85T00875 R001900030043-8
During the 1960s Romania was a substantial net importer
of steel, but, as domestic production of steel has been in-
creased, the balance of trade with respect to steel products
has improved. Exports of steel have been increased sub-
stantially and, although imports have also been increased to
meet growing needs of the economy, exports are now approxi-
mately equal to imports. The total turnover in steel trade
has been roughly 3 million tons annually during 1970-72 (see
the attached table for trade data as well as production data).
Romania plans further substantial increases in steel
production. The goal for crude steel, production in 1975 is
about 1..0 million tons and an ambitious target of 18 million
tons has been set for 1980.
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Approved For Release 2005/12/14: CIA-RDP85T00875R001900a30043-8
Romanian Steel Industry Production and Trade
1960 1965 1970 1971 . 1972 1973
Production
Iron ore
i?S 2.5 3.2 3:5 3.4 N. A.
Coke 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 N.A.
Pig iron 1.0 2.0 4.2 4.4 4.9 5.4
Crude steel 1.8 3.4 6.5 6.8 7.4 8.2
Rolled steel 1.3 2.3 4.5 4.8 5.2 5.8
Imports
Iron ore 0.9 2.6 6.3 6.9 7,6 N, A.
Coke 0.7 0.9 . 2.4 2.4 2.5 N. A.
Rolled steel 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.5 N. A.
Exports
Rolled steel . 0.5 0.6 1.6 1.4 1.3 N.A.
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