Developments in the north American iron and steel industry - 2014 reported modernizations, expansions and developments

The North American economy was a bright spot on the global stage in 2014, as growth in other regions’ economies slowed. The energy and automotivemarkets continued to thrive while the construction market’s slow but steady recovery persisted. North American steel companies continued to invest through mergers, acquisitions, mill upgrades and expansion projects. Altos Hornos de México S.A.B. de C.V. (AHMSA) increased its liquid steel production capacityfrom 4.2 million metric tons to 5.5 million metric tons per year, with the start-up of a new electric arc furnace (EAF) in September 2014. AHMSA revealed further details about its hot briquetted iron (HBI) supply agreement with voestalpine. Beginning in 2016, AHMSA would acquire 400,000-650,000 tons of HBI each year from voestalpine Texas LLC, to be used in its new EAF.