CMC cuts ribbon on Arizona mill

Irving, Texas-based CMC hosted state and local officials and other guests in late October for the dedication of its new recycled-content electric arc furnace (EAF) micromill in Mesa, Arizona.

CMC has named the facility Steel Arizona 2, as it is located adjacent to another EAF melt shop the company built in 2009. The Steel Arizona 2 mill is CMC's third micromill, with the others being in Mesa and in Durant, Oklahoma. 

The company says the new EAF facility will be the first in the world to produce rebar as well as merchant bar quality (MBQ) products through a continuous production process from melting, casting and rolling activities, and will be among the most environmentally friendly steelmaking operations in the world.

CMC says the additional MBQ capacity in the western U.S. makes it a coast-to-coast MBQ manufacturer.

“We are extremely proud to be formally dedicating our newest state-of-the-art steel micromill in Mesa, Arizona,” says Peter Matt, president and CEO of CMC.  “We look forward to providing both our existing and new customers with sustainably manufactured products combined with CMC’s outstanding service."

“A project of this magnitude could not be accomplished without the support of so many, and we thank the entire CMC team as well as all our partners who helped us during the construction and commissioning of the mill. We also thank all the state and local officials who were instrumental in the process."

The new micromill employs about 185 people and has an estimated nominal annual capacity of 500,000 tons, including 150,000 tons of merchant product.

“Today’s event is an exciting new chapter for CMC in Arizona,” says Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “CMC’s expansion builds on the company’s existing presence in Arizona while creating almost 200 new jobs. We are thankful to CMC for its continued commitment to Arizona and we look forward to supporting CMC’s success in Mesa.”