United States Steel Corp. will build a new hot dip galvanizing (HDG) facility at U. S. Steel Kosice (USSK), the company's Slovakian steelmaking operation.

With an annual capability of approximately 350,000 tonnes, the new facility will serve growing demand for high quality coated steels for Central European automotive and construction applications. Construction of the $160 million facility will begin this year, with start-up expected in early 2007.

"As the premier flat-rolled supplier in the V4, we have continually upgraded and expanded our facilities to meet the growing needs of our customers," said Joe Scherrbaum, Vice President—Commercial for U. S. Steel Kosice. "Since 2001, our major market-driven investments have included a vacuum degassing station, expansion of our tin coating facilities and, most recently, an electrical steel line. This automotive hot dip galvanizing facility is part of our ongoing plan to provide customers with state-of-the-art products."

Leveraging its own expertise as a major North American supplier of sheet steel and as a leading developer of new grades and steels for automotive applications, U. S. Steel will be in a strong position to offer Central European automotive customers advanced products from a local supplier.

U. S. Steel Kosice President Chris Navetta commented, "USSK is dedicated to providing our customers with quality products while supporting the growing economies of Kosice and Eastern Slovakia. Our hot dip galvanizing facility is expected to accomplish both of these goals. Our Central European automotive and construction customers will have a local source of high quality galvanized steel to meet their growing demand, and Eastern Slovakia will benefit from the employment and expenditures that a major new investment creates."