ArcelorMittal plans to upgrade its galvanizing line No. 1 in Avilés, Spain to manufacture Magnelis. The company has requested the regional government for an assessment on the environmental impact of the plan. The plant has been producing Magnelis at line No. 2 since 2017.
Magnelis is a new galvanized steel product with a coating of a higher content of aluminum and magnesium (3.5pc aluminium, and 3pc magnesium), which provides better resistance from corrosion. The company claims Magnelis is three times better than galvanised steel.
ArcelorMittal is yet to formally approve this investment, but the company is encouraged by the growing demand for the product from construction, civil engineering, agriculture, electrical equipment, HVAC, racking and solar energy sectors. The upgrade, besides expanding capacity, will also help in increasing the range of formats that can be produced in Aviles.
The steelmaker has manufactured approximately 200,000mt of Magnelis in Avilés since 2017 and plans to significantly increase capacity to meet growing demand.