The company Nova Željezara Zenica has announced the planned suspension of operations of plants and facilities for integral steel production, it was confirmed in an internal letter sent to employees.
According to the information provided, the suspension activities will begin on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 7:00 a.m., when the work of the Agglomeration plant will be stopped. On the same day, at the beginning of the second shift at 15:00, it is planned to shut down the Visoka peća.
A day later, on Thursday, April 23, in the morning hours, the delivery of the last cauldron to Čeličana is expected. After that, the Steel Plant will continue to work until the end of the production of steel and billets, which is expected by midnight of the same day, which will suspend part of the integral production.
When it comes to the reasons for the suspension, the key problem is the misunderstanding of the competent authorities, as well as the absence of specific measures to protect domestic production in relation to the import of steel into Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the available information, state institutions have not taken significant steps in the past period to protect the domestic industry.
Shutting down integral production will have serious consequences for the labor market.
It is estimated that around 1,200 workers will directly lose their jobs, while up to 12,000 workers will be indirectly affected through related companies and sectors, including the Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Railways of the Republic of Srpska, as well as numerous other companies and firms that are connected to the work of the ironworks in Zenica. Klix.
