India / Japan JSW Steel is Considering Setting up a Plant with JFE Holdings Inc. India’s third-largest producer, JSW Steel Ltd, is considering setting up a plant with JFE Holdings Inc., Japan’s second-largest steelmaker, for high-grade electrical steel to benefit from rising demand for specialty alloys. The project may be located near JSW’s factory at Vasind in the western state of Maharashtra. JFE acquired a 14,99 % stake.
Iran Cement Exports Increase Iran has exported more than USD 637 million of cement during the past Iranian year (ended March 20). Iraq, the Persian Gulf littoral states, the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan were the major destinations for Iran’s cement.
Russia Metso to Supply Lime Calcining System to NLMK Metso Mining & Construction Technology will supply a lime calcining system to OJSC Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) in Russia. Equipment delivery will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2011 and the refractory materials during the first quarter of 2012. The value of the order is not disclosed.
India/USA IFGL Refractories Aquired El Ceramics and CUSC IFGL Refractories Ltd has acquired two companies based in Ohio/USA for a reported USD 13 million. The acquisition gives IFGL control of EI Ceramics LLC, which designs, manufactures and supplies alumina graphite continuous casting products to North American steelmakers.
Indonesia Construction of a 300 000 t/a Chemical Alumina Plant Indonesia’s state mining company, PT Antam Tbk (Antam), is on track to start construction of a 300 000 t/a non-metallurgical grade alumina plant in the West Kalimantan region of Borneo in January 2011 with Japanese joint-venture partner Showa Denko KK.
EU Euromines has Called for the Removal of Trade Restrictions The European trade association, Euromines, has called for the removal of trade restrictions on raw materials critical to the EU economy, including refractory minerals. At present, the EU consumes some 3 billion tonnes of raw materials, which is soon to increase to 4 billion t. Around 30 million jobs are connected to the sector.
Iran Steel Production Capacity at 20 Mt Iran enjoys the capacity to produce 20 Mt of steel at present after inaugurating numerous steel production plants across the country in the recent years.
Egypt Plans to Relocate Cement Factories Starting next year, Egypt will embark on a relocation project which should eventually see cement factories moved out of the Helwan governorate. The project, which is billed as the solution to pollution problems attributed to the location of a number of cement factories in the area, which has a high population density.
World Stainless Steel Production more than 40 % Increase Preliminary figures released by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) show that stainless steel crude steel production has tremendously increased in the first half of 2010 by 44,3 % compared to the same period of 2009. Total production for the first six months of 2010 was 15,6 Mt. All major regions showed significant higher production volumes in the first half year 2010. Remarkably, China reported a lower than average production increase.
World worldsteel – August 2010 Crude Steel Production Crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 113 Mt in August (+4,2 % to August 2009).