Tuesday, July 22, 2008

ArcelorMittal announces electrical steel investment in Southern France

Luxembourg / Saint Chély d'Apcher, 22 July 2008 - ArcelorMittal has announced a 76 million euros investment to expand electrical steel production capacity at its Saint Chély d'Apcher plant in Southern France, a move in line with the Group's strategy to strengthen its position in high added value steel products and solutions that contribute to lower carbon dioxide emissions.

The addition of a new 180,000 tonnes continuous annealing line will take Saint Chély d'Apcher's capacity to 210,000 tonnes per year of mostly high end non-grain oriented electrical steels, which are used among others in electric engines and wind turbines. The new line is scheduled to become operational during the second quarter of 2010.

Michel Wurth, member of ArcelorMittal's Group Management Board in charge of ArcelorMittal Flat Carbon Europe, commented: "This is a very exciting investment. The addition of a continuous annealing line in Saint Chély d'Apcher will help the plant better serve its customers. It comes as further proof that ArcelorMittal is actively pursuing the development of steel grades and solutions which contribute to build energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipments. And last but not least it secures the plant's future for many years".

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