Brussels, Belgium, 30 April 2007 - SeverStal, a leading international steel producer headquartered in Russia, has joined the Living Steel programme as a Full member, Living Steel announced today. SeverStal unites with Living Steel to achieve the common objective of providing innovative and efficient steel housing solutions for the global housing shortage. SeverStal is the eleventh Full member to join Living Steel, which also includes Arcelor Mittal, Baosteel, BlueScope Steel, Corus, Celsa, Erdemir, IMIDRO, POSCO, Ruuki and Tata Steel.

"On behalf of all our members, I welcome SeverStal to Living Steel. The growth of cities has placed unprecedented pressure on society to rapidly address increasing urban population densities and the consequent impact on local environments, economies and quality of life. Living Steel strengthens its commitment for providing effective and responsible housing using steel now with the expertise and knowledge in construction which SeverStal brings to the programme," said Scott Chubbs, Living Steel Programme Director.

SeverStal is a Russia-based group of companies involved in three main business segments: steel, mining and metalware. The steel segment unites steel producing, repair and trade companies. It operates full cycle integrated iron and steel mills in Russia, Italy and the United States and has supporting companies for the sale of products in the Russian and international markets. Its main production asset is Cherepovets Steel Mill.

"We believe that partnering with Living Steel members will be of great benefit in growing this important residential construction market," said Alexei Venediktov, SeverStal's Project Manager, Sales. "Through our combined efforts, we can more quickly realise the development of a supply chain that can support sustainable steel solutions for the global housing deficit."

Living Steel is a worldwide, collaborative programme designed to stimulate innovative and responsible housing design and construction. It was launched in February 2005 by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI). Living Steel offers three membership levels, each offering its own level of participation in the programme: Full, Associate and Supporting. As a Full member, SeverStal will have the opportunity to actively participate in the programme's Steering Committee and in the programme's projects, as well as have full access to all its outcomes and deliverables. Membership in Living Steel also includes participation in the World Steel Construction Council, whose focus is to enhance the steel residential construction community through worldwide networking.

Through its global partnerships, Living Steel combines existing best practice across disciplines to create the broadest possible base of knowledge and intellectual insight. This is made possible through the support and intellectual inputs of its members-comprising some of the largest steel-producing companies in the world. To learn more about becoming a member of Living Steel, visit www.livingsteel.org/members.

http://www.livingsteel.org/

Living Steel, a worldwide programme to stimulate innovation in the design and construction of housing, was launched in February, 2005. The International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) provide the project management. Living Steel is a five-year programme with an anticipated total budget of €14.25 million.

Current Full Members of Living Steel include Arcelor, Baosteel, BlueScope Steel, BPB, CELSA Group, Corus, Erdemir, IMIDRO, Mittal Steel, Posco, Ruukki, SeverStal and Tata Steel. Associate Member includes St. Gobain BPB and Supporting members include Associação Portuguesa de Construção Metálica e Mista, Asociación para la Construcción de Estructuras Metálicas, Asociación para la Promoción Técnica del Acero, Bouwen mit Staal, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, Centro Brasileiro da Construção em Aço, European Convention for Constructional Steelwork, Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association, Fondazione Promozione Acciaio, HERA, Institute for Steel Development and Growth, Instituto Latinoamericano del Fierro y el Acero, International Zinc Association, Korea Iron & Steel Association, Korean Society of Steel Construction, Singapore Structural Steel Society, South African Steel Institute, Staalinfocentrum - Centre Information Acier, Stahl-Informations-Zentrum, Steel Construction Institute, Steel Framing Alliance and Turk Yapisal Celik Dernegi.

About SeverStal

http://www.severstal.com/

SeverStal is the largest Russian steel producer, with 2005 annual steel production of 17.1 million tonnes. It is the second largest flat steel producer in Russia with annual steel production of 10.9 million tonnes. In addition, SeverStal owns SeverStal North America, the fifth largest integrated steel maker in the U.S. with 2005 production of 2.7 million tonnes, and Lucchini, Italy's second largest steel group with 2005 production of 3.5 million tonnes.

Sheetal Chabra

Project Manager, Communications, Living Steel

International Iron and Steel Institute

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