ArcelorMittal, in partnership with joint venture partner Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metals Corporation, announced two important investment projects that will further enhance the capabilities of AM/NS Calvert, the world’s most advanced steel finishing facility in Calvert, Alabama.

Mr Andy Harshaw, executive vice president, ArcelorMittal USA said that “ArcelorMittal, together with NSSMC, is committed to achieving the standard setting potential of AM/NS Calvert, which boasts a total annual capacity of 5.3 million tonnes. While AM/NS Calvert is a state of the art finishing operation capable of producing high quality products for a variety of markets, additional improvements are needed to reach near full capacity levels.”

A USD 40 million slab yard expansion project is underway to increase AM/NS Calvert’s slab staging capacity and efficiency. The hot strip mill currently consists of three bays with the capacity to stage around 335,000 tonnes of incoming slabs, significantly less than the staging capacity required to achieve the 5.3 million tonne target.

The slab yard expansion will include the addition of overhead cranes, along with foundation work and structural steel erection, to increase the staging and storage capacity in support of achieving the full capacity of the hot strip mill. Apart from the additional capital investment using locally sourced contractors, the enhancements will create around 16 new crane operator positions. The project is expected to be complete in Q2 2016.

Mr Chris Richards, president, AM/NS Calvert said that “This investment is a clear indication of the confidence our joint venture partners are placing in our future success and serves as a perfect example of our facility’s continuing return on investment for the state and local economies.”

Mr Greg Ludkovsky, VP, global research and development, ArcelorMittal said that “This modest investment has significant market implications, increasing ArcelorMittal’s Usibor and Ductibor capacity in North America to meet rapidly growing customer demand. The implementation of established technologies on an existing line, which already offers excellent capabilities, will enhance our product offering and help meet growing customer demand for advanced steel grades critical to both automotive and non-automotive markets.”