Hyundai Steel, LSU partner on steelmaking technologies for $5.8 billion steel mill

Hyundai Steel teamed up with Louisiana State University (LSU) to jointly develop advanced steelmaking technologies for the Korean company's $5.8 billion steel mill in the U.S. state. 

Under the agreement inked on Wednesday, the two parties will cooperate on advanced projects across metallurgy, materials science, energy, robotics and automation, and environmental engineering for the factory, which will use an electric arc furnace.

The $5.8 billion steel factory, which is slated to be completed in 2029,  will primarily produce steel plates for automobiles with an annual capacity of 2.7 million tons, mostly for the Hyundai Motor and Kia plants in Alabama and Georgia.

It is expected to create about 1,300 jobs in the state. The two will also develop professional talent for Hyundai Steel’s factory in Ascension Parish, about a half-hour drive from LSU’s main campus.

“Hyundai Steel’s investment in Louisiana is a win for our state and an opportunity for LSU to rise to meet the moment,” LSU President Wade Rousse said. “We believe a relationship with LSU will become the new competitive advantage for Hyundai Steel, shaping their next generation of technology and talent while creating a Louisiana career pathway for our talented graduates and elevating Louisiana’s role in global manufacturing.”

BY SARAH CHEA   [[email protected]]