U.S. Steel to restart blast furnace at Gary Works as demand improves
2020-07-01 11:46:04 [Print]
U.S. Steel idled the No. 6 Blast Furnace at Gary Works in late April after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down automotive plants and undercut the demand for steel.
But now the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers, said demand has picked up enough that it's restarting the blast furnace, a jolt that will benefit Northwest Indiana's ailing steel industry.
"U.S. Steel will commence restarting Gary Works No. 6 Blast Furnace after the holiday weekend consistent with the growth we have been seeing in customer demand," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan M. Cox said.
The No. 4 Blast Furnace remains idled at Gary Works. U.S. Steel also idled operations in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Texas after posting a $391 million loss in the first quarter.
The steelmaker expects to lose $315 million in the second quarter as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic turmoil it caused.
But now the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers, said demand has picked up enough that it's restarting the blast furnace, a jolt that will benefit Northwest Indiana's ailing steel industry.
"U.S. Steel will commence restarting Gary Works No. 6 Blast Furnace after the holiday weekend consistent with the growth we have been seeing in customer demand," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan M. Cox said.
The No. 4 Blast Furnace remains idled at Gary Works. U.S. Steel also idled operations in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Texas after posting a $391 million loss in the first quarter.
The steelmaker expects to lose $315 million in the second quarter as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic turmoil it caused.
