SSAB Selects Mobile for State-of-the-Art Heat Treat Facility
10/22/2008 - SSAB selects Mobile, Ala., as the site for a new state-of-the-art heat treating facility that will boost the plant’s annual quenched and tempered steel capacity from 100,000 to 400,000 tonnes.
SSAB has selected Mobile, Ala., as the site for a new state-of-the-art heat treating facility. The investment, part of an investment program the company announced in August, will increase the existing facility’s annual quenched and tempered steel capacity from 100,000 to 400,000 tonnes.
The US$ 460 million investment program comprises a new quenching line, advanced finishing facilities, control and roll shifting technology for the rolling mill and a vacuum tank degasser. The heat treatment facility will produce quenched and tempered steel plate for where properties such as strength, hardness and toughness are required beyond those available in commercial grades.
“This reaffirms SSAB’s focus on our value-added quenched and tempered steel and our commitment to meet customers’ growing demand for such products,” said SSAB CEO Olof Faxander. “SSAB will further develop its strong production base in the United States, both in Mobile and Montpelier, and we will continue to strengthen our strategy to be the global leader in high strength steel.”
SSAB’s selection of Mobile for its new heat treating facility and other upgrades follows the company’s announcement earlier this year (April 2008) that it would increase its steel plate heat treating capacity in the United States.
“This investment develops our market position in quenched and tempered steel,” noted David Britten, President of SSAB’s North American Division.
Construction of the new facility is to commence in 2009, with production to begin in 2011.
SSAB, a global niche producer of high strength steels with a leading market position and productivity, develops solutions in order to increase the competitiveness of its customers.
