US Steel confirms idling of Granite City mill

United States Steel Corp. (U.S. Steel), Pittsburgh, has announced it will idle most of its integrated steelmaking complex in Granite City, Illinois. The company had disclosed in early October 2015 that it was considering the move.

In a Nov. 23, 20015, press release, U.S. Steel says it “will temporarily idle its Granite City Works steelmaking and finishing operations in Granite City, Illinois. As the primary flat-roll supplier of the oil and gas industry, the idling is part of an ongoing adjustment of steelmaking operations throughout North America to match customer demand.”

The company says the idling of the plant, with some 2,000 workers, “is a result of continued challenging global market conditions including fluctuating oil prices, reduced rig counts and associated inventory overhang, depressed steel prices and unfairly traded imports, which continue to have a significant impact on the business.”

U.S. Steel  says it will continue to operate its steelmaking facilities in Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania, “as well some finishing operations in Alabama.”