Groundbreaking at Nucor Steel West Virginia for one of the most modern and environmentally friendly sheet mills

• Produce steel by using recycled materials
• Groundbreaking is in the Guinness Book of World Records
• SMS group is an important partner in minimizing emissions
• Production of some of the most technologically advanced steel sheet while having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world

Nucor Corporation had a “record breaking” groundbreaking event at its 1,700-acre Apple Grove site in West Virginia. The state-of-the-art sheet mill represents the largest manufacturing investment in West Virginia history.  The mill will create more than 800 permanent manufacturing jobs for the area and several hundred additional jobs related to services needed to support the mill, including maintenance, utilities and transportation.

“With our circular production method, Nucor Steel West Virginia will produce sustainable sheet steel with some of the lowest embodied carbon in the world. We are excited that the advanced capabilities of this mill will expand our ability to provide our customers with the cleanest and highest-quality steel products,” said Leon Topalian, Chair, President and CEO Nucor Corporation.

SMS is an important partner in minimizing emissions from this new facility, as they will supply the equipment for the steelmaking plant. The equipment consists of two – 210 short ton DC Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF), two – Twin Ladle Metallurgy Furnaces (LMF), two – Vacuum Tank Degassers with Oxygen Blowing (VTD-OB) and seven transfer cars. The first heat at the EAF is currently planned for Q1 2026.

Several distinguished speakers and guests from Nucor, as well as government, shared the stage and their vision and views on the new mill and what it means for economic development in West Virginia and for manufacturing in the United States.

As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, the Nucor team organized the Guinness Book of World Records to witness the longest ever shovel relay. More than 545 dedicated participants lined up to successfully complete the 1 km relay and set a new record. SMS was proud to be part of this "record-breaking" groundbreaking ceremony and to support our valued customer Nucor.