November 3, 2022- Steel Dynamics Inc. has selected Columbus, Mississippi, as the place it will build an aluminum sheet rolling mill. Columbus is located within the targeted Southeast market, bringing numerous competitive customer, recycled material and renewable energy advantages to the project.

SDI President and CEO Mark D. Millett says the company has intentionally expanded alongside its customers' needs, providing efficient sustainable supply-chain solutions for the highest quality products. “A significant number of our carbon steel customers also consume and process aluminum. This investment broadens our ability to serve our existing and new customers by adding high-quality, low-carbon footprint flat rolled aluminum to our product portfolio.”

SDI has been discussing these plans with several customers in order to co-locate on site with the new mill, he says.

The Columbus, Mississippi, is near SDI’s existing Columbus Flat Roll Steel Division. The region hosts a skilled workforce. Logistics on site include access to a class I railroad, proximity to the major U.S. highway systems, and access to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

The location has existing, mature and dependable natural gas, water sources, and access to ample renewable power.

SDI expects to spend $1.9 billion to build its aluminum flat rolled mill, which is designed to produce up to 650,000 tonnes of finished products per year. End users will include sustainable beverage packaging, automotive, and common alloy industrial sectors. 

The mill complex will include continuous annealing solutions heat treating lines, continuous coating, and various slitting and packaging operations. 

The rolling mill is currently expected to begin operations in mid-2025. The company plans to use a significant amount of pre- and post-consumer aluminum scrap in its production process, supported by the company's metals recycling platform.