One of the most sizeable investments of Algeria in the steel industry, Algerian Qatari Steel (AQS), continues to gradually move towards establishing its own crude steel production. On September 4, the company has received its very first import batch of direct reduced iron (DRI) pellets. The cargo originates from Canada, with the volume slightly below 55,000 mt, SteelOrbis has learnt.
AQS, which operates a joint rebar capacity of 1.5 million mt per year and is able to produce 500,000 mt wire rod per year, is proceeding with its project to integrate production. The company expects to commission the first 1.1 million mt melt shop by the end of September, while the 2.5 million mt DRI module is targeted for completion by the end of November, as reported earlier.