Ispat Iscor to recommission coke facility
Environmental authorities approved South African steel producer Ispat Iscor's plan to rebuild the company's coke plant in Newcastle. The refurbished coke plant will allow Ispat Iscor to increase the company's current production of 400'000 tons to 850'000 tons, thereby giving Ispat Iscor an 85% share of the domestic coke market. Ispat Iscor's increased coke capacity will reduce the need to import raw material. Moreover, the extra output will add to the company's sales and earnings. Coke production at the Newcastle plant is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2006. The Newcastle coke facility was decommissioned due to the drop-off in steel production in 1980s.