Algoma to unveil modernized plate mill

Canada’s Algoma Steel is set to host the grand opening of its modernized plate mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on June 18.

“This event marks a significant milestone in our company’s history as we unveil advancements that will enhance the quality and capacity of one of our key products, steel plate,” the company said in a statement on Friday.

Project

Algoma said the plate mill modernization project boosts its annual shipped plate capacity to 650,000 tons from 450,000 tons. The mill is Canada’s only discrete plate and heat-treat facility.

Mill improvements incorporate technologies such as advanced automation systems, surface descaling, hot leveling, and a new cooling bed.

Also, Algoma said upgrades to the finishing area include a new dividing shear, piling system, ‘top-and-bottom’ automated inspection system, and plate marking machine.

The CAD$135-million plate mill modernization project began in 2019. The first phase, completed in June 2022, focused on quality.

The company finished a ~20-day planned outage related to the project at the end of April. A second 20-day outage is planned for later this year.

Mill specs

The plate mill rolls both carbon and high-strength low alloy (HSLA) plate up to 154″ wide, while floor plate is rolled to a maximum width of 96″, according to the current specs on the company’s website.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.