JSW USA Unveils Industry-Changing $500 Million Plate Mill Modernization and Expansion Project
“Plate Mill of the Future” will be the world’s most technologically
advanced and eco-friendly hot end facility
BAYTOWN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–JSW USA announced today its plans to invest up to $500 million to
install the most technologically advanced and eco-friendly hot end
facility in the world, setting a new industry standard. The project was
unveiled before an audience of more than 100 that included Texas
Congressman Brian Babin, representatives from U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and
John Cornyn’s offices, local economic development officials and
employees. Also attending was Parth Jindal, Director of JSW USA and son
of the Chairman and Managing Director of JSW Group, a $13 billion
India-based Group, of which JSW USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary.
The announcement marks the second and larger phase of a much-needed
overall plate mill modernization and expansion project that began in
June 2017. This is the first equipment installation and upgrade to the
facility since it was built by U.S. Steel in 1968, and will have a major
impact on many levels.
“After more than two years of hard work, planning and hoping, our vision
to become the plate mill of the future is finally here,” said John
Hritz, President and CEO of JSW USA. “Thanks to the ongoing support of
so many individuals and partners in industry and government, both at the
local and national levels, we’re proud to be leading the way for the
resurgence of the U.S. steel industry. Not only will this project spur
economic activity, but it will give back to the community that has given
so much to us.”
Once the hot end project launches, JSW USA will begin what will be a
$5.8 billion economic impact on the Texas economy, and is expected to
create 500 new high-wage American jobs before it becomes operational 18
to 24 months later. The addition of the hot end will make JSW USA the
world’s only plate mill with a contiguous large-diameter pipe mill,
enabling it to be considered a “melt and manufacture” facility in the
U.S., with a new ability to produce its own slabs to feed the mills,
instead of needing to buy foreign slabs.
With Best Available Control Technology (BACT), the hot end’s electric
arc furnace was designed to generate the lowest emissions possible for
steel production, setting a new worldwide industry environmental
standard. What’s more, JSW USA will be the only entity of its kind (for
the products it makes in North America) blending scrap with
direct-reduced iron (DRI)/hot briquetted iron (HBI), which is more
energy efficient and more economical.
This overall broader production capability will increase JSW USA’s
product offerings, as well as allow expansion into new, significant
markets, including defense, energy, pipeline, renewable energy, and
infrastructure. The facility will also provide strong support to
regional business, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and
value-added manufacturing for steel-making and associated industries,
and opens the door for producing new propriety steels with R & D firms.
"With the impact that this project will have, not only on the U.S.
manufacturing market, but on the global stage as well, our investment to
create the most advanced, highest quality, and lowest cost steel product
is simply smart business,” said Parth Jindal, Director of JSW USA. “JSW
USA is building a plant with such technology that it will be renowned
the world over.”
JSW USA contracted with Danieli for the first modernization stage of the
project, and has awarded the hot end construction based on technological
capabilities. The hot end will be built on 111 acres at JSW USA’s
700-acre Baytown campus.
JSW USA, based in Baytown, Texas, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW
Group, a $13 billion group headquartered in India with more than 40,000
employees worldwide. JSW operates a uniquely integrated plate/pipe mill
complex with a strategic location for North American export markets.
Contacts
Jacobson Strategic Communications
Chris Blackman, 610-888-6390
[email protected]
