US-based steel producer US Steel has stated that it is continuing work on a project at its facilities in Gary, Indiana to build two modules that produce Cokonyx, a carbon alloy material to substitute for traditionally manufactured coke in steelmaking. With a maximum production capacity of about 500,000 mt, the modules will replace about 20 percent of the coke requirements of US Steel's Gary Works.
John Surma, chairman and CEO of US Steel, said that the project is on track and is expected to start production in 2012 and reach its full production capability in 2013. The project in Gary in addition to one planned at US Steel's facilities in Clairton, Pennsylvania are targeting a reduction in coke consumption.
By 2012, US Steel wants to reduce its coke rate consumption by 35 to 40 pounds per metric ton of hot metal. Currently, US Steel uses about 0.7 metric tons of metallurgical coal to make one metric ton of steel.