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Former Steel Research Building to Become Ceramics Plant
01/28/2025 - EI Ceramics has broken ground on the US$21 million renovation project to transform the old Armco/AK Steel Research building in Middletown, Ohio, USA into a ceramic refractory plant.
According to the company, the building will be renovated to meet the combined manufacturing and operational needs of its plants in Sharonville and Fairfield, which will relocate to Middletown. Once complete, the plant will produce flow control products for the steel industry and bring about 70 jobs to the city.
“Going forward in the city of Middletown, we will focus on company growth, a constantly evolving product range, and improved operating efficiencies. Taking this wonderful old building and giving it a new lease on life,” EI Ceramics president Ian Proudfoot said.
EI Ceramics purchased the 9.5-acre property from the city in 2023 for US$225,000 and are investing US$18 million dollars in the project. They received an additional US$3.1 million from the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program for further redevelopment preparations, according to the governor’s office.
“Steel is a strategic and vital and important industry for the United States. Middletown has a proud history in the steel industry,” Jim McIntosh, managing director of IFGL Refractories, the parent company to EI Ceramics, said. He indicated that EI Ceramics will continue to grow its production.
City officials state the building, opened in 1937 as part of Middletown’s steel industry, more than doubled in size during a 1961 remodel. It ties to the 1899 founding of the American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) and the steel mill now run by Cleveland-Cliffs.
Construction will continue throughout 2025.
“Going forward in the city of Middletown, we will focus on company growth, a constantly evolving product range, and improved operating efficiencies. Taking this wonderful old building and giving it a new lease on life,” EI Ceramics president Ian Proudfoot said.
EI Ceramics purchased the 9.5-acre property from the city in 2023 for US$225,000 and are investing US$18 million dollars in the project. They received an additional US$3.1 million from the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program for further redevelopment preparations, according to the governor’s office.
“Steel is a strategic and vital and important industry for the United States. Middletown has a proud history in the steel industry,” Jim McIntosh, managing director of IFGL Refractories, the parent company to EI Ceramics, said. He indicated that EI Ceramics will continue to grow its production.
City officials state the building, opened in 1937 as part of Middletown’s steel industry, more than doubled in size during a 1961 remodel. It ties to the 1899 founding of the American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) and the steel mill now run by Cleveland-Cliffs.
Construction will continue throughout 2025.
