Steelmaker ArcelorMittal, whose largest North American mill is in Indiana Harbor, is introducing a new high-strength steel for cars. As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Annie Ropeik reports, it’s part of an effort to boost profits — amid an uncertain time for the industry.
The new steel is designed for the interior rails and pillars that make cars safer during a crash. A spokesperson from Arcelor, which is the world’s largest steel producer by volume, says it should make cars lighter and cheaper to produce when it’s rolled out next year.
Indiana automakers already buy much of their steel in-state, including from Arcelor. The company says it has struggled to compete with cheaper sellers overseas — especially China. But new tariffs on Chinese steel may be helping.
Now, Arcelor is working to boost profits by $3 billion in the next four years, with products like the new auto steel. The company wouldn’t confirm whether it’ll be made in Indiana. But union rep Pete Trinidad in Burns Harbor thinks it might. He says that would create stability for Arcelor’s more than 8,000 Indiana workers:
“The automotive industry … would order that from us and guarantee us hours on our mills.”
Plus, he says, the steelworkers’ new union contract gives them bonuses if profits or steel prices reach a certain level.
