U.S. Steel Invests $300M in Plant Upgrades
In partnership with Nippon Steel, United States Steel Corporation, a leading steel producer and SFIA member, announced a $300 million investment to upgrade two facilities. This investment forms part of Nippon’s larger $11 billion commitment following its acquisition of U.S. Steel earlier this year.
United States Steel Corporation announced a $300 million investment to upgrade two facilities.
The company will build a $100 million slag recycler at the Edgar Thomson Plant in Pennsylvania. The recycler will reduce emissions, cut landfill waste and create revenue from byproducts. U.S. Steel will also invest $200 million to improve the Gary Works hot strip mill in Indiana. The investment will lower costs and expanding premium product offerings such as heavy-gauge line pipe and automotive steel.
These projects mark the most recent activity under Nippon Steel’s investments in U.S. Steel. Across the company, multiple initiatives continue to advance to upgrade infrastructure, enhance capabilities and modernize facilities.
Read the news release from U.S. Steel.
Nucor Next-Gen Sheet Mill On Track for 2027 Launch
Nucor Corporation, a Charlotte, N.C., steel products manufacturer and SFIA member, is building a $3.1 billion sheet steel mill in Mason County, West Virginia, with construction progressing on schedule.
The facility is significant for both the steel industry and the construction sector. It will expand domestic sheet steel capacity, strengthen supply chains and support growing demand for high-quality steel products. Operations are expected to begin in 2027.
Nucor plans for the 1,700-acre Apple Grove facility to rank among the world’s most environmentally friendly steel plants. Nucor will equip the mill with state-of-the-art electric arc furnaces and galvanizing lines. The plant will be able to produce up to 3 million tons of sheet steel.
The project marks Nucor’s largest single investment. It is also the most significant manufacturing investment in West Virginia’s history. Nucor projects the mill will generate $2.5 billion in annual economic impact. The plant will be a cornerstone of the domestic steel industry and a major driver of the state’s economy.
Steel Framing Drives Startup’s Modular Housing Strategy
Placeable, a startup based in Raleigh, North Carolina, tackles the housing affordability crisis by producing modular homes in controlled factory settings with robotics, AI and cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. By shifting construction indoors, the company reduces waste and delays while delivering reliable, high-quality results more affordably.
Its first product, a 400-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, includes a full kitchen and appliances. Placeable designs these homes for compact shipping and rapid on-site assembly. Families can move in within days. Placeable projects costs 30–50% lower per square foot than traditional builds. The company achieves these savings through efficient production and sustainable materials such as magnesium oxide boards and steel framing.
Placeable tackles the housing affordability crisis by producing modular homes in controlled factory settings with robotics, AI and cold-formed steel (CFS) framing.
“From a manufacturing perspective, steel is straight and true and perfect,” Placeable founder Ed Holloway said. “That makes repeatability in the manufacturing process substantially easier.”
Placeable will begin production in late 2025. The company plans to scale to several homes per day while expanding into larger single-family and multifamily models.
Additional Resources
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- Update #3: Grabber Introduces New Fastener, TSN Expands in Texas, ClarkDietrich Connector Reduces High-Rise Noise
- Update #2: CEMCO Reaches 50, FRAMECAD Unveils New CFS Platform, ClarkDietrich Adds Sustainability Glossary
- Update #1: BlazeFrame® Tape, Bridging Connectors and Steel-Framed Glass Curtain Walls