BHP opens two new mills in China

BHP opens two new mills in China

The largest Australian steel maker BHP Steel Ltd. opens two new plants in China. BHP is aiming to expand into China as there is a constant growth of the construction industry in this country, mainly due to the 2008 Olympic Games. The first plant is at Lanfang, near Beijing, and the second in Chengdu, in the western province of Sichuan are commissioned this week, doubling BHP Steel's operations in China. Opening of these two new plants are a part of BHP Steel's expansion plans in northern and western regions of China. The two mills will produce roof cladding and colorbond painted steel for the construction industry as well as handling BHP's Zincalume steel. Colorbond is a painted steel that retains its colour in the hot and humid Asia climate. These plants will draw high value added feedstock from BHP's three painting and coating mills in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. BHP already operates two roll forming plants in China, commissioned in 1995. One of these plants is located in the south, in Guangzhou and the other in the east, in Shanghai.