Its search for a Southwestern U.S. location is over, and Fort Wayne-based Steel Dynamics Inc. will build a $1.9 billion electric-arc-furnace flat roll steel mill that it announced last November in Sinton, Texas, about 30 miles northwest of the port of Corpus Christi.
The much-anticipated decision remains subject to continued state and local government support as well as the receipt of necessary permits. But, the steelmaker and metals recycler expects that to happen, and said in a July 22 announcement that the location will bring the project many customer and raw material advantages.
“We have extensive experience and a proven track record for successfully constructing and operating EAF steel mills and downstream value-add finishing lines. Our planned new EAF flat roll steel mill will be the most technologically advanced facility existing today,” Mark Millett, president and CEO, said in a statement.
“Our team has selected a suite of technologies based on our proven history of success that should allow us to achieve steel grades previously out of reach to thin-slab casting technology, while sustaining the low-energy and low-carbon footprint that is at the core of our steelmaking operations.”
Based on the 84-inch width and 5.5-inch thickness of its casting capability, it will be the largest thin-slab facility in the world, the statement said.
“The steel mill will also have a unique rolling mill configuration, providing the capability to produce advanced high strength steel grades, including some energy sector products not available in the U.S. today,” Millett said.
“The mill will also have the capability to produce up to 52.5 ton coils, creating meaningful cost efficiencies for certain energy customers,” he said.
“These advances will further reduce the gap between existing EAF and integrated steel mill production capabilities. We have already placed orders for a majority of the equipment and filed for the required permitting.”
SDI executives believe the project is positioned to compete effectively with regional imports from a location central to the domestic industry’s greatest consumption of flat roll Galvalume and construction painted products.
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