Metals

Recent news from the various sectors of the recycling industry

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US Steel to restart construction on Alabama EAF

Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corp. has announced the restart of construction on what it calls a technologically advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking facility at its Tubular Operations in Fairfield, Alabama. U.S. Steel previously began construction of the EAF, which is in Alabama’s Jefferson County, in March 2015. However, the company suspended construction in December of the same year because of what it said were unfavorable market conditions.

“We are pleased to announce the achievement of the market and performance stage gates required to restart our Tubular Segment EAF,” says U.S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt. “This investment is an important step to improve our cost structure and positions our Tubular business to win over the long term. We are committed to investing in the sustainable steel technology required to be a value-added tubular solutions provider for our customers.”

U.S. Steel says the investment to complete the EAF, which includes modernization of the existing rounds caster, is expected to be approximately $215 million. The company says it will add roughly 150 full-time employees to work at the new furnace. The EAF will have an annual capacity of 1.6 million tons, and the company says construction will begin immediately, with the EAF producing steel rounds in the second half of 2020.

“Thanks to the president’s strong trade actions and improved market conditions, support from the United Steelworkers and incentives from the state of Alabama and the Jefferson County Commission, we are excited to add EAF capabilities to our company’s footprint and provide sustainable tubular solutions for our customers,” Burritt says.

Free Flow announces sizable scrap contract

King George, Virginia-based Free Flow Inc. says it has received a letter of intent from a scrap supplier for a contract it values at more than $12 million.

The company says it plans to expand its existing auto flattening operation to include shredding. The shredder will be located on the 20-acre recycling facility it owns in King George built on land it purchased in mid-2018. The terms of the supply contract call for the purchase of scrap grades including No. 1 and No. 2 heavy melting steel (HMS), plus shredded automobile scrap.

“We are pleased to be selected for this size of contract,” says Free Flow CEO Sabir Saleem.

Free Flow Inc. is a publicly traded company that operates its used auto parts and metal recycling businesses through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Motors & Metals Inc. and Accurate Auto Parts Inc.

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