ArcelorMittal Dofasco completes $100 million project to improve steelmaking process
September 8, 2010
For immediate release
Project creates jobs, reduces environmental footprint and showcases world-class innovation, efficiency and productivity.
Hamilton, September 8, 2010 – ArcelorMittal Dofasco today announced it has successfully completed a $100 million project to its advanced steel manufacturing facility. Called the Primary Optimization Project (POP), the program included process and product innovation upgrades in its advanced manufacturing steel making operation and the refurbishment of its No.3 blast furnace. The project will increase the capability for steel production at the facility by 20% and add 50 jobs, while at the same time result in significant energy efficiency gains and environmental performance improvements.
“The completion of this Primary Optimization Project to our steel production operations positions ArcelorMittal Dofasco as one of the most productive and energy-efficient advanced steel manufacturing plants in the world,” said President and CEO Juergen Schachler. “The improvements are an investment in the future of the operations, the city and the province and have allowed us to create an additional 50 skilled positions, while sustaining 5,000 total jobs at our company.”
The extensive upgrades made to the primary steel production facility in Hamilton will reduce the amount of electricity required to produce steel by approximately 20 megawatts, the equivalent of removing about 20,000 homes from the electrical grid and will also result in less coke being used per tonne of steel produced, while harnessing waste gases and converting them into usable energy.
"The POP project was ongoing through the difficult times of 2009," said Mr. Schachler. "We continue to recover from the challenges and are looking towards our steady climb into 2011.”
The final step in the Primary Optimization Project is the preparation for the restart of No.3 Blast Furnace, planned to be up and running in October. With the completion of the Primary Optimization Project, ArcelorMittal Dofasco will now begin to focus on its Finishing Optimization Project, assessing the needs of its Finishing operations.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, ArcelorMittal Dofasco is also holding a series of public information evenings to share information about the project and company. Members of the public are invited to attend the session at the company headquarters (1330 Burlington Street, at Ottawa, Hamilton). The first Community Update will be held on September 22 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel company with operations in more than 60 countries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer and supplier of high quality flat rolled steels. To learn more, visit www.arcelormittal.com/hamilton/dofasco.
Click here to learn more about the Community Liaison Committee.
For information contact:
Andrew Sloan, General Manager
Public Affairs
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andrew.sloan@arcelormittal.com
Marie Verdun, Senior Specialist
Public Affairs
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