Nucor to build galvanizing line at Arkansas sheet mill

The board of directors of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nucor Corp. has approved the construction of a galvanizing line at the company’s sheet mill in Hickman, Arkansas. According to Nucor, when complete the line will allow it to expand growth into a wider and more diverse set of end market applications.

The galvanizing line is a $240 million investment with an annual capacity of about 500,000 tons and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2021. The company says the galvanizing line complements its $230 million investment currently underway to build a specialty cold mill complex at Nucor Steel Arkansas in Hickman. The company says it anticipates both projects will accelerate Nucor’s goal of increasing its automotive market share.

“This new galvanizing line, coupled with our new specialty cold mill complex, will allow us to efficiently produce products beyond the capability of any North American mill, and to have the flexibility to meet current and future demand for advanced high-strength steel products,” says John Ferriola, chairman, CEO and president of Nucor.

The company also is evaluating building additional galvanizing lines at its other sheet mills as part of its initiative to further expand its sheet business.

“Building this galvanizing line will diversify the product mix at Nucor Steel Arkansas and allow us to better serve our automotive and value-added customers,” says Mary Emily Slate, vice president and general manager, Nucor Steel Arkansas. “We are positioning ourselves to become a major supplier to the growing galvanized market in the United States.”