CMC plans new EAF mill in Oklahoma

Commercial Metals Co. (CMC), Irving, Texas, has announced it has selected Durant, Oklahoma, as the location for construction of its second “micro mill” small-volume electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill.

The new plant in Oklahoma will mirror its existing micro mill in Mesa, Arizona, says the company, but also will include “improved technology developed from CMC's operating experience with the world's first micro mill,” CMC says. The first CMC micro mill was commissioned in Mesa in 2009.

The addition of a second micro mill to CMC's portfolio of highly efficient, customer focused and cost-effective steel production facilities will enhance CMC's position as a leading supplier of long products in the U.S. market.

“The location of the mill in Durant, Oklahoma, 80 miles north of Dallas, will allow us to better serve a growing North Texas market as well as expand into markets in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Missouri,” says Joe Alvarado, chairman, president and CEO of CMC. “The facility will produce low-cost, high-quality steel products [that] will complement our existing manufacturing capability to better serve our customers. This new micro mill will also complement CMC's existing recycling and fabrication footprint, enhancing [our] ability to further leverage our raw material supply chain and optimize product mix within our existing operations,” he adds.

The city of Durant, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Durant Industrial Authority and the state of Oklahoma have enthusiastically welcomed the project and have worked together with CMC to locate the micro mill in Durant, according to CMC.

“We are extremely excited to welcome CMC to the city of Durant,” says Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. ”Our probusiness climate, great quality of life and skilled workforce make Oklahoma the perfect home for this world-class manufacturing operation."

Adds Tommy Kramer, the executive director of the Durant Industrial Authority, “We are thrilled with establishing a long-term business relationship with Commercial Metals Co. in building this new facility in our community. This project has the full support of Team Durant."

The Oklahoma micro mill will use EAF steelmaking technology and equipment supplied by Danieli and is expected to be commissioned in the fall of 2017. The direct and indirect investment is expected to be in the range of $250 million.