Formulation of key development priorities for the metallurgical industry in Ukraine

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to formulate key development priorities for Ukraine’s metallurgical industry under current conditions, taking into account wartime losses, structural constraints, post-war reconstruction needs, European integration requirements, and global decarbonisation trends. Methods. The methodological basis of the study combines systemic, structural-functional, and comparative approaches. The research applies SWOT analysis, content analysis of scientific publications and analytical materials, secondary analysis of statistical and industry data, logical generalisation, and sectoral decomposition. Results. The article assesses the current state of Ukrainian metallurgy and identifies the consequences of the loss of part of production capacity, changes in logistics, rising energy and transport costs, and stricter requirements for the carbon footprint of steel products. The strengths of the industry are systematised, including its raw material base, production competencies, export experience, and potential participation in post-war reconstruction. The main weaknesses include technological depreciation, high energy intensity, dependence on external demand, an insufficient share of high value-added products, and limited access to long-term finance. External opportunities are substantiated in relation to infrastructure reconstruction, production modernisation, integration into European supply chains, and the development of low-carbon technologies. The key threats include prolonged wartime risks, global steel overcapacity, CBAM, and high energy and logistics costs. Conclusions. A system of development priorities is proposed for industry, trade, construction, and services. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the comprehensive substantiation of metallurgy as a system-forming element of economic reconstruction. The practical value of the results is associated with their possible use in industrial policy design, investment programmes, and post-war recovery strategies. The limitations of the study stem from the high volatility of the wartime environment and the incompleteness of open statistical data, which creates the need for further scenario modelling of modernisation, decarbonisation, and domestic demand for steel products.