EoW July 2013

News Corporate

Prime minister goes to the wire (mill)

“Germany is an important location for the manufacture of products with high value creation. “The new wire rod mill will make a significant contribution to us being able to retain and expand our leading market position. We therefore appeal to the public authorities in Germany and Europe to support the industry and strengthen its competitiveness.” company, ArcelorMittal relies on huge quantities of electricity, which has to be bought in. The high electricity prices in Germany are said to threaten the competitiveness of the industry and the future of the Duisburg plant. As an energy-intensive

Hannelore Kraft, prime minister of North Rhine Westphalia, visited ArcelorMittal’s site in Duisburg to view the company’s new high-technology wire rod mill. The new rolling mill in Ruhrort is testimony to ArcelorMittal’s commitment to the Duisburg site. The investment of over €130m will enable a significant reduction in energy costs, increase the plant’s productivity and support jobs and training positions. The Duisburg plant supplies semi-finished products for forging in addition to high-strength and ultra-high-strength wire rods for the car industry and renewable energy sector, including offshore wind turbines. Michel Wurth, group management board member for long carbon worldwide, said:

ArcelorMittal – Luxembourg Website : www.arcelormittal.com

US aluminium plant under closure threat Employees of a western Kentucky aluminium smelter have been told of plans to close the plant on 20 th August – unless the management can secure lower electricity rates. Century Aluminum has been in negotiations with its power supplier, Big Rivers Electric, for over a year. Both parties confirmed they are still trying to negotiate a deal before the deadline.

Legislation to lower the smelter’s electric bill was introduced during the General Assembly, but was pulled because of misinformation surrounding the issue. Century spokesman Mike Dildine said that telling the workforce of the company’s plans fulfilled a federal requirement, but that it coincided with Century giving notice to its largest customer, Southwire Co, that it would terminate its contract unless a power agreement is reached.

▲ ▲ Century Aluminium’s Hawesville site. Photograph courtesy of www.statejournal.com

“Typically, that is a 60-day notice,” Mr Dildine said. “We felt that since our contract with Southwire is a four-month notice, we should let our employees know too. We are still doing everything we can to get a competitive rate.” Big Rivers spokesman Marty Littrel believes the two companies can reach an agreement. “I think we’re moving in the right direction,” he said. Century Aluminum – USA Website : www.centuryaluminum.com Fibre optics in deep water TE SubCom has signed a contract with Chevron USA Inc to connect the Jack & St Malo offshore facility with an undersea fibre optic communications system in the Gulf of Mexico. The cable system is scheduled for completion in May 2014. Jack & St Malo fields are located 280 miles south of New Orleans at a depth of 7,000 feet. The fields are supported by a semi-submersible platform which will be connected by 106km of submarine cable, subsea equipment, and a new branching unit to an existing fibre network. TE SubCom – USA Website : www.subcom.com

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July 2013