BLAST FURNACE TO REOPEN

[BIZ: Liège, May 16]
The number 6 blast furnace at the Cockerill site in Ougrée may be opened, according to the management of Mittal Steel. The steel company points to the strong demand for steel and insufficient production at the Arcelor sites. Re-engineering is going on at production sites in Spain and France, and others such as Sidmar have problems.

In view of the demand, the Arcelor board has decided to look at restarting blast furnace number 6 in the short term and a study has indicated that this is economically feasible. The emission quotas are being looked at and discussions are ongoing with the unions about the organization.

This is not a long-term proposition. The blast furnace could be open in October or November, but the length of time that it remains open depends on the demand for steel.
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