REAL STEEL Corp. is partnering with an Italian steel equipment manufacturer to build the Philippines’ first high-speed rolling mill in Pampanga.
The steel manufacturing company said in a statement on Monday that it had signed a deal with equipment and physical plants supplier Danieli Group to build a plant that uses “fully automated and environmentally sound technology.”
The plant will use an induction heating system that eliminates pollution caused by the natural gas and oil used in heating steel.
“Many of the solutions we implement are included in this new high-speed rolling mill, especially features in technology that improve environmental impact and safety,” Danieli Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Menocci said.
Real Steel said that the facility, which it expects to be fully operational by 2022, will be one of the fastest rolling mills in Asia.
“[Real Steel] will continue to strive for excellence in technological advancement and modernization to improve [the] quality of our products using clean and energy efficient equipment,” he said.
San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio Punsalan, Jr. said he supports the project.
“This investment also means higher income for the local government, employment security, and safety for our local workers,” he said.
Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said that the project would be good for consumers.
She said Real Steel’s partnership with Danieli “manifests the company’s commitment in improving the quality of their products to be at par with international standards with green technology. This will ultimately redound to the benefit of the consumers for their increased protection.”
The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute last year listed Real Steel among manufacturers that it found to have produced substandard steel bars. — Jenina P. Ibañez
