Metal Industry News

Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solutions will build an EV battery cell manufacturing operation in the U.S. The two South Korean companies will develop the joint venture in Bryan County, Ga.

Forza Steel is investing $60 million to build a new manufacturing facility at the Port of Brownsville. The Mexican company, which specializes in the manufacturing of carbon steel pipe, plans to install equipment in July to begin rolling mill operations.

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky., to supply a 20-high cold-rolling mill, a 4-high skin pass mill, and an upgrade of the existing annealing and pickling line No. 2. The cold-rolling mill will feature the newly developed Sundwig MonoBlock design for longer service life and reduced operating expenses.

Nucor Corp., Charlotte, will cease production at Nucor Steel Longview as part of a reorganization of its plate group. Acquired by Nucor in 2016, the 100,000-ton capacity mill produces heavy steel plate.

Chemcoaters, a provider of corrosion-inhibiting metal coatings for several industries, has successfully developed and launched a thin-film coating for cold-rolled and hot-rolled pickled and oiled steel. This thin-film coating, named FeGuard, is the first of its kind to offer significant corrosion protection to these substrates. FeGuard is designed for application to master coils on Chemcoaters’ coil coating line and is aimed at providing alternatives to lower zinc coating weights.

High Performance Alloys broke ground on a new facility in Tipton, Ind., which will increase its current size by adding 48,000 square feet. The expansion project is expected to increase job opportunities and significantly increase the production capacity of high-strength materials in wire and large diameter up to nine inches.

The L.S. Starrett Co., Athol, Mass., has appointed Charles Starrett as product manager, saws and hand tools. He will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and tactics to support the sales and marketing of the company’s line of band saw blades and power tool accessory products.

JSW Steel USA plans to invest at least $119.4 million at its Mingo Junction steel plant for upgrades to better serve growing markets in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The company indicated investments could go as high as $145 million.

O'Neal Manufacturing Services has installed a TRUMPF TruBend 8010 press brake at its Pittsburgh fabrication center. TRUMPF confirmed it to be the largest press brake of its kind in the United States.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has reached a tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1943 on a new four-year agreement for its Middletown Works steelmaking operation. The contract will be effective on May 15 and will cover approximately 2,100 hourly employees.