Midland owner denies Zaporizhstal stake sale

Midland Group beneficiary Alex Shnaider told Metal Bulletin yesterday that there are no plans for the group to sell its stake in Ukrainian steel mill Zaporizhstal (ZPST). Yesterday, Kommersant reported that the Antimonopoly Commission of Ukraine gave permission to Airol Beteilingungen AG, currently the owner of 40% of Zaporizhstal, to acquire more than a 50% stake in the steelmaker. Kommersant said Airol Beteilingungen would have increased its stake to 96.6% as a result of the transaction. However, Shnaider continued that talks took place, but denied that a final agreement was reached.