Dongkuk’s Dangjin Mill to Start High Grade Plate Supply in Mid 2010

Dongkuk Steel Mill of South Korea plans to start commercial production of high grade steel plates, such as TMCP (thermo-mechanical control process) plates, at its new mill in Dangjin, South Korea in mid 2010. Dangjin mill has already entered commercial production of commodity grade plates while preparing for production tests of high grade plates and acquisition of shipbuilding standards. The firm aims to bring Dangjin plant into full production at 1.5 million tones per year in 2012.

The plate mill in Dangjin commenced operation in October 2009. The mill entered commercial production at the end of November by the first shipment for distributors. Dangjin mill can supply steel plates with maximum 4,800 millimeters of width, the widest size in the country. Dongkuk regards Dangjin mill as a productive site of high grade steel plates including TMCP plates and heat-treatment plates.

Dangjin mill now produces and sells commodity grade products. Meanwhile, production tests are implemented for high grade products with technical support by JFE Steel of Japan. Dangjin mill is also preparing for acquisition of domestic and overseas shipbuilding standards in and after February. The mill will complete production tests and standard acquisitions within the first half of 2010, and start commercial supply of high grade steel plates.

Dangjin mill’s commercial output is scheduled at 20,000 tonnes in January and total 1 million tonnes through 2010. Dongkuk plans to raise the production to 1.2-1.3 million tonnes in 2011 and 1.5 million tonnes in 2012.

The firm also aims to start production of high grade products at another plate mill in Pohang, South Korea.