In an announcement, Nucor said its chosen site in Brandenburg, Ky., offers logistical advantages, both in terms of shipping in raw materials and shipping out finished plate. 

“Kentucky is an excellent location for this mill, right in the center of America's largest plate consuming region," said Nucor chairman and chief executive John Ferriola.  "This strategic investment will enable us to build a clear market leadership position in the U.S. plate market." 

The mill will produce cut-to-length, coiled, heat-treated, and discrete plate in widths between 60 inches and 160 inches, and in gauges from 3/16 of an inch to 14 inches. It is being designed with a capacity of 1.2 million tons annually. 

“The new plate mill will significantly strengthen Nucor's plate product portfolio, giving the company the ability to produce 97 percent of the products demanded in the domestic plate market, including the specialty higher-margin products,” the company said in a statement. 

The mill is to come on-line in 2022.