Emirates Steel Industries (ESI), the largest integrated steel producer in the UAE, has announced that it has commissioned the first heavy section mill in the region after positive results of hot trials during the month of November. Constructed by Italy's Danieli at a cost of around $650 million, the new heavy section mill will produce large-size sections, beams, columns and sheet piles.
The heavy section mill will be integrated with the second steel meltshop with the production capacity of 1.4 million mt per year and the associated direct reduction plant started in autumn 2010.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, the company had launched in January 2006 a two-phased expansion program worth $ 2.45 billion. Phase 1 was completed in June 2009, Phase 2A in March 2011, increasing the steelmakers DRI and steel production capacity significantly, and Phase 2B in December 2011.
Emirates Steel plans to increase its production capacity to around 6.5 million mt per year within the next four years with new facilities.