Nikopol Ferroalloy Works (NFW), Ukraine's biggest ferroalloy producer, reduced ferroalloy production tentatively 3.8% to 687,700 tonnes in January-August 2008 compared to the same period of 2007, the company told Interfax.

The company reduced silicon manganese production 13.8% to 465,000 tonnes in the eight months and increased ferromanganese output 26.8% to 222,700 tonnes. The plant did not produce any other types of ferroalloys in the period.

In August, NFW produced 82,200 tonnes of ferroalloys, including 55,100 tonnes of ferromanganese.

NFW, controlled by the Interpipe Group, boosted ferroalloy production 16.5% to 1.04 million tonnes in 2007 compared with 2006, including growth of 22.3% to 768,100 tonnes of silicon manganese and 4.5% to 272,200 tonnes of ferromanganese.

The EastOne group, set up almost a year ago when the Interpipe corporation was being restructured, and the Pryvat Group control NFW. Attempts to reinstate state ownership of the plant have been unsuccessful. – Interfax