According to Danieli, the first heat at the 380,000-ton facility occurred on 18 December. 

“The consistent start-up of this plant validates once more the full reliability of the MIDA endless casting and rolling process, which gives steelmakers the possibility to achieve total transformation costs that are 5% to 10% lower than at a traditional mini-mill,” Danieli said. 

Located in central Florida, the mill will produce No. 3 to No. 11 rebar in lengths up to 60 feet and spooled coils in weights of up to five tons. It is the 14th Danieli micro-mill with endless casting-rolling technology for long products in operation worldwide. It also Nucor’s second such facility. 

The first, built in Sedalia, Mo., started operation last year.  

The Florida mill consists of a scrap pre-heating and continuous charging system serving a 40-ton, side-charging AC EAF. The single-strand caster has a 130 mm square section mold and is tied to an ultra-compact, 8 + 8 stand rolling mill via a 4 MW induction furnace. 

“With the Florida mill, Nucor will satisfy the regional demand of steel rebar, recycling the scrap available in the area and reconfirming the Endless Casting and Rolling solution as a proven solution for a sustainable steel production,” Danieli said.