Ternium to Spend $98M to Add 2nd Coating Line at Louisiana Mill

Construction of the new paint line is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022. And commercial production is slated for mid-2024, according to a press release from the office of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D).

“This new coil coating expansion in Shreveport is part of our strategy to support the joint growth of our company and that of our loyal customers by adding complementary volume, range, and services to our existing local platform,” Ternium USA President Michael Guhl said.

Ternium USA is the domestic subsidiary of Latin American steelmaker Ternium, which started up a new hot strip mill outside of Monterrey, Mexico, earlier this year.

And company executives have said in recent months that they plan to continue to expand both upstream with increased melting capacity and downstream with more cold rolling and coating capability.

Gov. Edwards said the project would retain 157 jobs and create 35 new direct jobs with an average salary of $69,000 per year plus benefits. Another 98 jobs are expected to be created externally.

“Ternium’s decision to reinvest in its Shreveport plant is a testament to Louisiana’s welcoming business climate, highly skilled workforce, and world-class transportation infrastructure,” Edwards said.

Louisiana also landed the project thanks in part to a competitive incentive package and a $1 million performance-based award, the governor’s office said.

By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com