SDI Plans to Add Hot Band Leveling Line at Butler Plant
06/27/2012 - Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) is planning to expand its product line in Butler, Ind., with the addition of a hot band leveling line.
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) is planning to expand its product line in Butler, Ind., with the addition of a hot band leveling line.
The Butler facility already operates six tension levelers as part of its cold mill, but the new line will allow it to offer leveled black band products, Glenn Pushis, vice president and general manager of the company's flat rolled division, told AMM.
Pending final approvals, construction is expected to begin this summer, with the line up and running by the third quarter of next year.
The project will cost about $18.5 million - around $11.8 million for equipment and $6.7 million for infrastructure improvements, including cranes and the physical building.
Fort Wayne, Ind.-based SDI was applied for a tax abatement for the project from DeKalb County Council, which is scheduled to vote on the request on 2 July, Pushis said.
The Butler facility can produce about three million tonnes of steel annually, according to the tax abatement request filed with the council. Some 1.6 million tons of will be processed in the cold mill facility, leaving about 1.4 million tons of unprocessed hot band left to sell. With the leveler project, SDI will be able to provide shape and surface correction for up to 600,000 tons per year of unprocessed hot band between 0.040 and 0.375 inches thick.
SDI was requested tax abatements for a total of 10 years for both the construction and the manufacturing equipment, although the company said it plans to go forward with the expansion whether anticipation is approved or not, according to the documents filed with the county auditor.
