Steel Dynamics Mill Launches in Texas (Updated)

Steel Dynamics’ Southwest-Sinton Division (pictured) was designed with a 3 million-ton annual production capacity, which includes a galvanizing line and a paint line; an additional galvanizing line and paint line are slated to be up and running in mid-2023.

Steel Dynamics earlier this month held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new flat roll steel mill in Sinton, Tex., which is served by Union Pacific (UP) and BNSF.

The 1.2 million-square-foot facility is slated to create more than 590 new jobs and generate $1.9 billion-plus in capital investment. It uses electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, and was designed with a 3 million-ton annual production capacity, which includes a galvanizing line (with Galvalume® capability) and a paint line, according to Steel Dynamics, a steel producer and metal recycler based in Fort Wayne, Ind. An additional galvanizing line and paint line are slated to be up and running in mid-2023.

Steel Dynamics selected the Sinton site—located approximately 30 miles northwest of the port of Corpus Christi—in 2019. Construction began in 2020, and included the infrastructure needed to connect the facility with UP’s adjacent main line.

“Thank you Sinton and the state of Texas for the warm welcome at the Southwest-Sinton Division ribbon cutting ceremony,” Steel Dynamics posted on LinkedIn, following the Feb. 9 event. “We are excited to bring steel to the Southwest United States and look forward to all the opportunities to come!” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attended the event, presenting the company with a Texas flag and a proclamation as an official welcome to the Lone Star State.

“We’re thrilled for Steel Dynamics on the opening of their new steel mill,” UP Vice President of Marketing and Sales-Industrial Jacqueline Bendon said in a Feb. 16 statement to Railway Age. “We believe this economic investment will greatly benefit San Patricio County, bringing jobs and growth to the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Steel Dynamics and to providing them safe and seamless access to current key markets, as well as providing them the ability to reach new markets with our extensive rail franchise.”

“Congratulations to Steel Dynamics, Inc. on their new, state-of-the-art flat-rolled steel mill in Sinton, Texas,” BNSF wrote in a LinkedIn post following its participation at the event. “The mill is able to produce hot rolled coil, cold rolled coil and hot-dipped galvanized products. BNSF was proud to attend the ribbon cutting earlier this month.”