(PRNewsire) AK Steel announced that the first heat of molten steel was processed through a new vacuum degasser at its Ashland, Ky. works.

(PRNewsire) AK Steel (Middletown, Ohio; http://www.aksteel.com) announced that the first heat of molten steel was processed through a new vacuum degasser at its Ashland, Ky. works yesterday. Addition of the new vacuum degassing facility, which is associated with the steelmaking shop, along with a modification of the existing continuous caster, are part of a $65 million modernization of Ashland Works. The project was completed two months ahead of schedule. Both the degasser and converted straight-mold caster are currently in the ramping-up process. Once in full production, AK Steel expects that its need to purchase premium-priced degassed steel slabs will be eliminated.