Steel Mills

Algoma Boosts Capacity with Second LMF
Written by Michael Cowden
February 24, 2021
Algoma Steel has struck an arc at its second ladle metallurgy furnace (LMF), a move expected to increase capacity by approximately 100,000 tons per year, the company said.
The second LMF – officially No.2 LMF – has annual capacity of 2.1 million tons and complements the Canadian flat-rolled steelmaker’s No.1 LMF.
The addition of a second LMF follows upgrades to Algoma’s plate mill and direct strip production complex.
“These initiatives are vital to sustaining our competitive position as an advanced manufacturer in Canada,” Algoma CEO Michael McQuade said.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario-based Algoma makes hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet as well as plate. The mill has annual capacity of approximately 2.8 million tons per year, according to its website.
Algoma is also an important supplier to the the Midwest and Great Lakes flat-rolled steel markets in the U.S.
By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com

Michael Cowden
Read more from Michael CowdenLatest in Steel Mills

Cliffs talks DOE funding, blast furnace relining schedule
The future of two projects supported in part by funding through the Department of Energy remains uncertain.

Cleveland-Cliffs open to asset sales
Meanwhile, its Canadian operations have been hurt by the broader tariffs proposed by the United States.

As Q1 loss balloons, Cliffs pledges to cut costs, streamline operations
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. gushed red ink in the first quarter, and pledged to stem the bleeding by idling inefficient, “loss-making operations” and increasing focus on its core automotive business.

Cliffs plans to idle three mills, cut 950 jobs on ‘insufficient demand and pricing’
Cleveland-Cliffs plans to indefinitely idle its steel mill in Riverdale, Ill., as well as mills in Conshohocken, Pa., and Steelton, Pa. The Cleveland-based steelmaker said all three facilities would be idled on or around June 30. Approximately 950 jobs will be impacted, the company said.

CRU: Usiminas may reduce capex unless government strengthens protection
“The lack of effective measures to create fair competition, amid a surge in subsidized imports, is the main threat to the sustainability of Brazil’s steel industry and its value chain,” CEO Marcelo Chara said.