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.