Developments in the North American Iron and Steel Industry-2015

The North American steel sector continued to be battered by declining prices and competition from low-cost imports in 2015. The year was marked by mill idlings, production curtailments and job losses, but despite prevailing circumstances companies were continuing to invest in their facilities. Some of the reported capital projects that were announced or completed during 2015, or that progressed during the year, included AK Steel which invested US$29 million to modify the hot-dipped galvanizing line at its Dearborn Works in Michigan, allowing it to produce next-generation, advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). AK Steel also started work on a new US$36-million Research and Innovation Center in Middletown, Ohio, US.