BHP is to build a coating and painting plant in China

BHP is to build a coating and painting plant in China

According to market reports, the largest Australian steel producer BHP Steel is expected to initiate the construction of a coating and painting plant worth $160 million in China before the current fiscal ending on June 30, 2004. Industry sources reveal that this move is highly beneficial as the company has four coating mills with one of them being under construction, as previously reported by SteelOrbis and twenty six roll-forming mills. Furthermore, BHP Steel imports coated and painted steel from its coating lines in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to these roll-forming mills in China which require over 30'000 tons of coated steel per year. Besides, company exports around 70'000 tons of coated products every year to other steel making companies in China. An official of the company stated that a decision is expected to come out most probably in the second half of the fiscal year.