AK Steel announced the start-up of a large diameter stainless steel tubing line at the Walbridge, Ohio, plant of AK Tube LLC.
AK Steelannounced the start-up of a large diameter stainless steel tubing line at the Walbridge, Ohio, plant of AK Tube LLC. The mill, which is housed in an existing 330,000-square-foot facility at the Walbridge plant, gives AK Tube the capability to produce large diameter stainless steel tubing that will help heavy-duty truck manufacturers meet new U.S. EPA standards for diesel vehicle emissions. The new standards, which become effective January 1, 2007, are designed to reduce particulate matter emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. These standards will result in higher peak engine exhaust temperatures, requiring the use of stainless steel.
Installation of the mill and associated equipment are part of a previously announced $8.5 million capital project to increase production capacity at AK Tube. The company received assistance from the Ohio Department of Development in the form of a $75,000 grant as well as up to $170,000 in training funds from the Ohio Investment Training Program.