US Steel is restarting its Gary Works blast furnace #8 on August 1, 2020, to accommodate additional steel demand.
The Gary Works plant in Indiana is restoring the capacity to meet the increased demand in the company’s contracted business that services the auto industry, a spokesperson told Davis Index. US Steel is also experiencing a re-emergence of demand for steel used in appliances, packaging, and construction.
US Steel idled the 1.17mn st (1mn mt) capacity #8 blast furnace in early April 2020 citing weak steel demand because of COVID-19 related shutdowns. The facility is expected to start at 50pc capacity utilization and increase throughout H2 2020 as steel demand in relevant sectors continues to improve.