CMC Steel Arizona held a grand opening ceremony for its newest steel mill on Dec. 8. The mini-mill, located in Mesa, Ariz., will use ferrous scrap to manufacture rebar. CMC expects the mill to create more than 200 jobs.
“Mesa is excited to have CMC Steel as part of our community,” said Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. “We are grateful that CMC has chosen to invest millions of dollars in Mesa, creating high-wage jobs and utilizing new clean technology in the process. It’s a win-win for the community.”
Along with using ferrous scrap, the mill will use recycled water. Also, air filtering technology has virtually eliminated dust from the manufacturing process.
“CMC Steel fits in perfectly with the Mesa Gateway Strategic Development Plan, which has a goal to attract unique and innovative development,” District 6 Councilmember Scott Somers said. “What can be more unique than a ‘clean and green’ steel mill?” Somers also said the facility is compatible with the strategic development plan because it is creating high-wage jobs.
“The eyes of the world are looking at this plant, which is the first of its kind in the United States,” Commercial Metals Company CEO Murray McClean said. The latest technologies allow CMC Steel to melt, cast and roll steel in one uninterrupted process. This promotes higher yields and lower energy costs.
“This is probably the most ‘green’ steel mill in the world,” Russ Rinn, President of CMC’s Americas Division, said. “CMC Steel and its parent firm, Commercial Metals Company, are committed to using the most advanced technology to minimize our environmental footprint.”
In addition to its recycling ability and air filtering technology, the plant is designed to minimize the amount of green house gases emitted into the atmosphere. Iron and other metals are filtered in baghouses that are recycled. Also, the use of steel scrap for 98.5 percent of the steelmaking process keeps tons of scrap out of landfills and from littering the countryside.