Cryogenic steel plate for Shell plant

ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, is supplying 770 tonnes of cryogenic steel plates through its Industeel subsidiary for a new Shell petrochemical complex under construction in Pennsylvania, USA.

The CryElso 9Q 9% nickel plates, produced by Industeel Creusot in France, will be used in the construction of liquid gas storage units. According to ArcelorMittal, the steel is built tough, with the ability to withstand freezing temperatures in the units, dropping to as low as -160°C. The plates are delivered in 5-30 mm thickness.

According to Jean-Christophe Milek, Industeel's sales and marketing manager, the company is 'very well positioned' to serve its customers in the USA and is proud to be a part of the project. 

The project itself will bring economic growth and jobs to the region. Shell plans to create around 600 permanent employee positions at the plant where the end game is to produce 1.6Mt (metric) of polyethylene per annum. Commercial production is expected to begin early next decade.

According to ArcelorMittal, the complex is 'ideally positioned with 70% of North American polyethylene customers based within a 700-mile radius of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania'.

Industeel, says ArcelorMittal, is one of the top 9% of NI producers in the world.