Kametstal Restarts Axle Production
After a shutdown lasting nearly a year, the Kametstal metallurgical plant, part of the Metinvest Group, resumed manufacturing railcar axles in January 2026. The first production batch, weighing 524 tonnes, has already been completed. This restart of the axle-rolling mill was achieved despite significant energy instability, including attacks on infrastructure. This development is a notable sign of resilience for Ukraine's industrial sector, which has faced severe challenges since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Product Destination and Preparatory Work
The newly produced axles are destined for customers in Ukraine and Europe. Previously, the billets for axle production were supplied by the Azovstal plant. However, in 2025, an alternative Ukrainian supplier lost its ability to meet the plant's needs. Preparations for the production restart began in December 2025. Specialists conducted an overhaul of the main components of the rolling line, which included:
- Roller tables
- Hot saws
- Cooling beds
- Loading and unloading mechanisms
Following extensive work by Metinvest and Kametstal specialists, alternative solutions for sourcing imported billets were identified. In 2025, the metallurgical enterprises of the Metinvest Group initiated production of 11 new product types, three of which were mastered at the Zaporizhstal plant. Overall, since the war began over a decade ago, the group has successfully launched 433 new product types.
The resumption of operations at Kametstal represents a crucial step in supporting Ukraine's steel industry amid wartime and energy challenges. It not only preserves jobs but also enhances the country's capacity for self-sufficiency in critical areas like railway component manufacturing. The plant's ability to adapt its supply chains underlines the flexibility and innovative drive of Ukrainian industry in the face of adversity.