MEPS’s global steel production and capacity round-up

SSAB’s and Metinvest’s green steel plans feature in this month’s MEPS steel production and capacity round-up.

The monthly summary features MEPS’s articles on steel industry developments, which were previously featured in the October editions of the European Steel Review, International Steel Review and Stainless Steel Review.

Contact MEPS for details of how to subscribe to these monthly publications, which provide steel prices, market commentaries and 12-month steel price forecasts.

Europe

Metinvest

Metinvest and Danieli have moved one step closer to their proposed EUR3 billion green steel flat product joint venture in Piombino, Italy.

The two companies have signed an agreement to formalise their interests in the Metinvest Adria subsidiary which will oversee the development of the new facility in Tuscany. Under the terms of the agreement, Metinvest will hold a 75% equity stake in the new enterprise, while Danieli retains the remaining shares.

The planned EAF-based facility, to be built on the former JSW Piombino site that Metinvest took control of in 2024, will have an annual production capacity of up to 2.7 million tonnes, when completed.

SSAB

Swedish steelmaker SSAB has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its new EAF-based green steel facility in Luleå, Sweden.

The project consists of two scrap- and DRI-fed EAFs with a combined annual output of 2.5 million tonnes. This equipment will replace the blast furnace-based production currently operating at the site.

Additionally, the company plans to modernise the Luleå site’s hot and cold rolling equipment. SSAB’s total investment at the site will amount to EUR4.5bn. Commissioning is currently scheduled in the second half of 2029.

Cognor

Steelmaker Cognor has started hot testing its new 450,000 tonne per year capacity light sections mill in Siemianowice Śląskie, southern Poland, ahead of its opening on October 23. 

The USD225 million development, started in 2018, replaces the equipment at the company’s now decommissioned Zawiercie facility, increasing the company’s annual output by 350,000 tonnes. 

The site will produce profiles and bars for the construction, automotive, energy and defence sectors.

Asia

Yamato Steel

Yamato Steel has contracted SMS group to modernise the heavy sections mill at its Himeji plant in Japan. 

The upgrade will see the installation of two new compact cartridge mill stands, each featuring universal and two-high rolling modes, hydraulic roll adjustment and quick automatic-change capabilities. 

The revamped mill will continue producing H-beams, I-beams and U-type sheet piles. Completion is scheduled for summer 2028.

Shanxi Jingang New Materials Technology

Shanxi Jingang New Materials Technology will construct a new thin-slab casting and rolling plant at its facility in Jincheng, Shanxi province. 

The line, due to be commissioned in quarter one 2027, will have an annual output of up to 2.6 million tonnes of coils per year, with thicknesses ranging from 0.7mm to 12.7mm.

It will include four high-reduction and five finishing mill stands. Advanced steel grades such as grain-oriented and deep-drawing steel will be produced on the line.

Zhengfeng Iron & Steel

Zhengfeng Iron & Steel is expected to complete work on a new stainless steel bar mill at its facility in Tangshan, Hebei province.

The company is investing USD60 million into the project, which it expects to complete this month.

The line will have an annual production capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes of high-strength stainless steel bars.