Brazilian steel producer Gerdau announced the start-up of a new continuous caster of blooms and billets of special steel in its Pindamonhangaba plant, located in the state of São Paulo.
According to the company, the new caster required investments of BRL 700 million ($146 million) and will drive the plant to a new and updated level of technology, allowing for the production of clean steel, a metallurgical process that improves the purity of the steel produced, improving the physical quality and the lifespan of the final products.
According to Gerdau’s CEO Gustavo Werneck, the new caster reinforces the commitment of the company with the Brazilian auto industry, chiefly in relation to its demand linked to the production of hybrid and electric cars.
The investment in the Pindamonhangaba plant is part of a cycle for the modernization of the specialty steels operations until 2025, including investments in the maintenance of the plants, in the technologic updating and improvements in ESG practices.