The first three production lines at ArcelorMittal France's new electrical steel plant in Mardik, near Dunkirk, are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2025, according to Kallanish.
The three lines that are part of Phase 1 of the project include a preparation line, an annealing coating line, and a slitting line.
Investments supported by the French state in the amount of 25 million euros ($29.06 million) under the France 2030 program are aimed at meeting the growing demand for high-strength electrical steels used in electric motors for the automotive, industrial and energy industries.
By 2027, five new production lines will be put into operation at the site. Construction work is underway for the second phase of the project, which includes an etching line for annealing and a reversible rolling mill.
After the plant is fully operational, ArcelorMittal will significantly increase production of ultra—thin electrical steel, adding to production volumes at the Saint-Chely-d plant.'Upshare.
"I will feel great excitement when the first of the 155,000 tons of electrical steel that we will eventually supply annually rolls off the assembly line," says Bruno Ribot, CEO of ArcelorMittal France, in a note reviewed by Callanish.
"With this new production unit ArcelorMittal's electrical steel production capacity in Europe will reach 295,000 tons per year. All ArcelorMittal electrical steel in Europe will be produced in France, which will strengthen the French ecosystem related to electric vehicles and the transition to energy," he adds.
The company says the project strengthens its ability to supply the materials needed for the electrification of Europe, especially for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, and strengthens the industrial base in the Hauts-de—France region.
This $500 million investment is the largest for ArcelorMittal in Europe in the last ten years, the company notes.
Natalia Capra France
kallanish.com
