EU import quotas on steel threaten the production capacity of the Ukrainian company
Yuriy Atanasov, CEO and co-owner of the stainless steel seamless pipe manufacturer Centravis, has been awarded the international STS Executive of the Year prize. During a conference in Germany, the company head warned about the threats posed to Ukrainian business by the new EU import quotas on steel. This was reported by Delo.ua citing Centravis, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The award ceremony took place on September 22 during the International Stainless & Special Steel Conference 2026. The prestigious industry award is presented to executives who have made significant contributions to the development of the special and stainless steel industry.
Upon receiving the award, Yuriy Atanasov emphasized that this success belongs to the company’s team and the entire Ukrainian industry, which continues to function under martial law. He noted that for business, the main task today is to maintain production rates despite ongoing destruction.
EU Steel Export Restrictions
Despite the celebratory occasion, the company head focused on critical production risks arising from new EU limits. The European side has set an annual quota for Ukraine for the supply of seamless stainless steel pipes at 6,524 tons, after which exporters must pay an additional 50% duty.
Centravis points to a significant decline in figures compared to previous years. For instance, in 2021, export volumes reached 14,194 tons, while in 2025, they stood at 11,306 tons. Due to these restrictions, the company has already been forced to stop its production site in Uzhhorod, which was launched in 2023 with investments of 2.7 million euros.
Basis for Quota Calculations
Representatives of the manufacturer note that the limits were based on figures from 2022–2024, which do not reflect the actual capacity of the Ukrainian economy. This period was marked by the consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion, logistical challenges, and problems in the energy sector.
According to Atanasov, it is unfair to use these crisis years to restrict access for Ukrainian products to European markets. He added that European regulation creates obstacles that could stop the company more effectively than Russian missiles.
The company’s main production facilities are located in Nikopol, in the Dnipropetrovsk region. About 75% of the produced goods are exported to the European Union, where they are used in nuclear power, automotive engineering, and other high-tech sectors.
Photo: Майя Калина
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