Algeria launches new steel project with Dubai partner

The new company, named Emarat Dzayer Steel, in which Algerian public companies have a controlling, 51% stake, plans to set up in the next two years a direct reduced iron-based steelworks. This will produce rail, sections, bars and tubes using new mills as well as existing lines from the tube-making facilities formerly controlled by ArcelorMittal Annaba.

The new plant should be able to produce at full capacity some 1.3 million tonnes/year of crude steel, Kallanish understands. Emarat Dzayer Steel has set up a website with details of the project, but a further comment from the company was not forthcoming prior to press deadline.

The mill is set to be situated near the existing integrated El Hadjar complex, which is increasing slightly its output this year, having restarted its blast furnace during 2017.