Steel Dynamics Inc. awarded SMS group an order covering the supply of a complete steel production line for its new mill in Sinton, Texas. Germany’s SMS group will supply two direct-current electric-arc furnaces (DC-EAF) having a capacity of 190 tons each, two twin-ladle furnaces and a double vacuum tank degasser. The line, which is scheduled to be commissioned in mid-2021, will enable SDI to produce thin slabs with thicknesses of up to 5.2 inches (130 mm) and slab widths of up to 84 inches (2,134 mm). SMS group will also supply electrical and automation systems as well as technical support during installation and commissioning, which is scheduled for mid-2021.

The facility is will have an annual production capacity of approximately 3 million tons. SDI, which will invest approximately $1.9 billion in the project, expects to begin construction in early 2020 and create approximately 600 well-paying jobs. SDI intends to sell the products in the rapidly expanding markets of high-strength steel tubes, multiphase steels for vehicle construction and structural steels for various applications. Sinton is located approximately 30 miles northwest of the port of Corpus Christi and is strategically located within the targeted Southwest U.S. and Mexico market regions.