Steel Mills

Nucor commissions SMS group to upgrade Alabama plate mill

Written by Brett Linton

October 18, 2024

Nucor Corp. has commissioned SMS group to upgrade its Tuscaloosa, Ala., plate mill.

As part of the $280-million investment announced last November, Nucor’s existing Steckel mill will be upgraded to an ultramodern tandem Steckel mill.

“This conversion will enable Nucor Steel to significantly increase its production capacity and get ready to meet future challenges in the steel industry,” SMS group said in a statement on Wednesday.

The conversion will allow Nucor to produce specifically engineered high-strength thin strip products.

The existing entry and exit-side furnaces will be replaced with state-of-the-art closed-type furnaces to better maintain material temperature.

The upgrade will add an additional mill stand downstream of the existing stand. Both stands will operate in tandem for reversing roughing passes and finishing passes, SMS group said. A looper will be positioned between the stands to optimize strip tension and speed control.

The electrical and automation systems in the mill will also be modernized by SMS group.

Nucor has an annual plate production capacity of approximately 3 million tons of cut-to-length and discrete plate. It produces plate for several military and manufacturing applications including construction, heavy equipment, mining, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, and transportation. The steelmaker has plate facilities in Cofield, N.C., Brandenburg, Ky., and Tuscaloosa.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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