Steel Mills

Chinese Refractory Maker Plans Facility in Kentucky
Written by Tim Triplett
June 22, 2020
PRCO America, Inc., a Chinese company that manufactures refractory brick used by steel mills to line their furnaces and transfer ladles, plans to open their first U.S. facility, in Graves County, Ky., by the end of the year.
The western Kentucky location was chosen for its proximity to many steel mills, as well as to shipping access on the Mississippi river. The company will produce custom-sized resin-bonded magnesia graphite refractory brick for mills in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
PRCO America is a division of China’s Puyang Refractories Group Co. The company received a tax incentive to locate the $5.5 million facility in the state of Kentucky, creating 32 jobs.
–Reporting by Alice Buro

Tim Triplett
Read more from Tim TriplettLatest in Steel Mills

CRU: Tata Steel looks to shed 1,600 jobs in the Netherlands
The company said, “The challenging demand conditions in Europe driven by geopolitical developments, trade and supply chain disruptions and escalating energy costs have affected the operating costs and financial performance."

Reports: Federal funding for Cliffs’ project could be slashed
Elon Musk's DOGE is determining which Department of Energy grants to advance and which ones to terminate, according to several media outlets

Trump still against selling USS to Japanese firm: Report
Despite ordering a new review of Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel, President Trump said he is still against selling USS to a Japanese company, according to media reports.

Algoma looks to sell more steel in Canada in wake of Trump’s tariffs
The Canadian steelmaker said its absorbing higher tariffs as it moves forward.

Ancora abandons plan to take over leadership of USS
Investment firm Ancora Holdings Group has halted its play for U.S. Steel's board, citing Nippon Steel’s proposed bid for USS “gaining momentum.”