Nucor to spend $45 million on upgrades
Charlotte, NC, USA-based
Nucor Corp. plans to spend approximately $45 million during the next five years to upgrade its
manufacturing operations and improve pollution controls at its plant near Charleston, SC.
The plant employs about 835 workers and produces more than 3 million tons of steel per year, used mostly in home appliances and lawn and garden equipment, as well as heating and air conditioning units.
The improvements include installing technology to help detect dust particles in addition to making adjustments to its melt shop, rolling mills, and finishing equipment.
Although the improvements are not expected to increase
production at the plant, they will allow the steel maker to expand its markets, including selling to makers of
automotive products.
Each month, the company generates about 3'500 tons of dust in making steel. The dust includes zinc, barium, copper, cadmium, and manganese. Last year the company began dust recycling and the new equipment will help the company reduce emissions and the need for most of the dust to be sent to a landfill.
Nucor's vice-president announced that the company will keep up with competition while meeting environmental standards.