Innovation in Steel-Making Cluster in the Russian Federation and Factors of Innovation Development

Abstract

The article analyzes the current condition and latest changes that took place in the steel-making cluster of the Russian Federation. It describes key problems and challenges that faced enterprises producing goods of ferrous metallurgy during COVID-19 pandemic and since the beginning of the special war operation. Key steps of the government of the Russian Federation aimed at supporting the cluster and stimulating its development were provided. At the same time the role and place of the steel-making cluster in global and home production were studied. On the basis of statistics the author depicted production dynamics in the industry, the level of innovation activity at enterprises, analyzed the structure of innovation costs in the cluster and showed priority tasks facing producers of goods of ferrous metallurgy and promising trends of their functioning. It was pointed out that in line with the global trend aiming at ecological innovation goods of ferrous metallurgy in the near future shall meet principles of carbon neutrality and high power-efficiency. Meanwhile, the development of digital infrastructure at industrial enterprises shall play an important role. Apart from that, the article provided factors of innovation development affecting seriously the balanced progress of home enterprises of ferrous metallurgy.