Arkansas, U.S.-based steelmaker Big River Steel announced that it expects to commence rolling of steel produced from its new electric arc furnace (EAF) next week.
The company noted that the new furnace will add 1.65 million short tons per annum of flat-roll steel production, when fully operational. The furnace is expected to be running at full rates by April or May in 2021. According to market participants, the expansion of Big River Steel is not likely to have significant near-term impacts of the flat-rolled steel market. It must be noted that the market supply has been at reduced levels, due to idling of blast furnaces by U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal.
The company had scheduled the original start-up date as 27th January, 2021. The quick ramp-up was possible, partly because the configuration of the second EAF was almost a mirror image of the first.
Big River Steel is also planning to install a covered coil storage building that features automated equipment. There will also be more bag house and water treatment capacity, said David Stickler, Chief Executive Officer, Big River Steel.
This will mark the successful start of the company’s Phase II expansion. The proposed expansion is expected to double the mill’s rated capacity from current levels of 1.65 million tons per year to 3.3 million tons per year.
Source : Scrap Monster
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