Arcelor’s new Ugine & ALZ Carinox steel plant has produced its first heat.

Carinox represents an investment of 241 million euros, and will replace two smaller, non-integrated steel plants. The new one million tonne/year integrated stainless steel facility will form, together with the Genk steel plant, Ugine & ALZ's upstream production complex.

The new facility, built in 26 months, was commissioned one month ahead of the original schedule. Ugine & ALZ says the startup performance is the result of efficient project management, the exchange of know-how among the experts of the Arcelor Group, and an ambitious 150,000-hour training plan including operators from the Chertal, Dunkirk, Genk, Isbergues and Ugine facilities.

The new steel plant will generate close to 200 new direct jobs and increase the total workforce at the site to around 750 employees, including the hot strip mill. Commissioning will be followed by ramp-up of the facility's production. The coming months will be dedicated to tuning the equipment in order to meet the requirements of Ugine & ALZ's customers.

On the occasion of its first heat, Ugine& ALZ expressed gratitude to all its partners, and in particular to the constructor VAI.

Arcelor is a leading player of the global steel industry. With a turnover of 30 billion euros in 2004, the company holds leading positions in its main markets: automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging as well as general industry. The company — number one steel producer in Europe and Latin America — endeavors to further expand internationally in order to capture the growth potential of developing economies and offer technologically advanced steel solutions to its global customers. Arcelor employs 95,000 associates in over 60 countries. The company places its commitment to sustainable development at the heart of its strategy and ambitions to be a benchmark for economic performance, labor relations and social responsibility.

Specializing in flat stainless steel products, Ugine & ALZ is the European subsidiary of Arcelor's Stainless Steel Sector. With a turnover of 2.74 billion euros in 2004, a production volume of 1.35 million tonnes and a workforce of 5,300 employees, U&A operates four production sites in Europe recognized for their efficiency: Isbergues (France); Gueugnon (France); Genk (Belgium); and Carinox (Belgium). Its main markets are the automotive, household appliances, industry and construction sectors.