Cliffs unveils new hydrogen-powered stainless line in Ohio

Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves stood flanked by state leaders and union workers, touting the project as proof that US manufacturing is not only alive, but also advancing.

According to the Cleveland-based steelmaker, the high-tech line uses a 100% hydrogen atmosphere. It replaces acid-based processing with a recovery unit that recycles gas back into the system.

The line is designed to serve high-end auto and appliance markets. At the same time, it is pushing back against imported material, mainly stainless steel produced in Finland but routed through Mexico, Goncalves said.

“We are now producing in Ohio something that used to be produced in Finland… That’s what we are stopping by doing investments,” he added.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called it “a great day for Ohio,” praising the project’s economic and security implications. “Making steel in the United States is about jobs. It’s about good-paying jobs. It’s also about national security,” he said. “We learned during the pandemic—we have to make the essential things here.”

Union leaders echoed the enthusiasm. “Had it not been for the 232 tariffs that were put in place, we would not remain competitive,” said Kurt Knicely, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3462.

Knicely credited the leadership at Cliffs for putting their faith in the Coshocton workforce and building the line with American steel, much of which was sourced from Ohio.

The line was built “from what was a grassy field four years ago,” Knicely commented, by union contractors and employees who logged thousands of hours. “This directly benefits the community,” he remarked.

Ohio’s Secretary of State Frank LaRose called the event “a great Ohio story,” noting that American workers “can compete with anyone around the world when they’re on a level playing field.”

“This is what the America First agenda is all about,” added Republican Senator Jon Husted.

“This is not an investment I’m promising. It’s an investment we have already concluded,” Goncalves noted.

“There’s no problem to invest in the United States of America when you have the market conditions to survive as a business,” the chief executive added.