As global industries strive toward decarbonization, steel is emerging as a foundational material in the renewable energy sector, supporting technologies like wind, solar, and hydropower. Steel’s unique combination of strength, durability, and adaptability is essential for building energy systems that are efficient and can withstand environmental stressors over time. With new developments in materials science…
Top Benefits of Using Secondary Steel in the Manufacturing Industry
When most people think of steel, they picture shiny new framing straight from the mill, ready to build skyscrapers or manufacture heavy-duty equipment. But what about secondary steel? It may not be as glamorous, but secondary steel has been quietly making waves in the manufacturing industry for years. In fact, its benefits often outweigh its…
Cold Rolled Full Hard Steel (CRFH): What Is It?
Cold Rolled Full Hard Steel (CRFH) What is it? Cold rolled full hard (CRFH) steel is a product that has not been fully finished in a cold reduction mill. The full hard designation indicates that the steel has not been annealed, meaning it is more rigid and less malleable than other types of steel. This…
How We Got Here: The Macroeconomics of the Steel Industry Supply Chains
The U.S. steel market has been under significant pressure in 2022 due to weakened manufacturing and housing indicators. Two consecutive quarters of negative growth and persistently high supply have kept many buyers hesitant, afraid of being saddled with overpriced steel inventories should the downturn intensify. Early in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, steel prices saw significant increases….
Mainline Metals Acquires Great South Metals in the Southeast: Becomes Another Addition to the Mainline Metals Family of Businesses
Conshohocken, PA, August 4, 2022 Mainline Metals, Inc. announced today that it acquired Great South Metals, located in Acworth, Georgia. Under the leadership of John Kingery, Great South Metals has become one of the leading flat-rolled service centers in the South with a phenomenal reputation for over 40 years. It has immediately bolstered Mainline Metals’…
The Fundamentals of Mill Surface Defects
Surface defects are a common problem in the manufacturing industry, and they can significantly impact the quality of a product. Several factors can cause surface defects, including the milling process, the material being milled, and environmental conditions. In many cases, surface defects can be avoided by using high-quality materials and properly maintaining the milling equipment….
Steel Service Centers: The Value-Added Services and Processes They Offer
Steel service centers offer their customers a wide variety of value-add services and processes. This article will discuss the different services they provide and the various processes they use to get the job done. We will also highlight some of the benefits that steel service centers offer to their customers. What are Steel Service Centers? …
How the Russia – Ukraine Conflict is Disrupting the Steel Industry’s Supply Chain
Earlier this year, amid political tensions and conflict between Russia and Ukraine, most Ukrainian steel plants suspended production and put their equipment into hot conservation mode. The issue of employee safety was paramount. A steel plant cannot operate during a shelling attack, which threatens both workers and the production facilities themselves. The Russia-Ukraine conflict…
How Your Business Can Easily Overcome the Steel Supply Chain Disruptions
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with supply chains. Steel — an essential metal used in multiple manufacturing segments (everything from refrigerators to cars) — was not immune to these disruptions. At the beginning of the pandemic, not surprisingly, steel demand dropped, but it quickly skyrocketed. Prior to the pandemic, steel was priced between $500 and…
The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Selling Steel
You may already be aware that there is a difference between prime steel and secondary steel. Prime steel passes all manufacturing inspection tests and is available on the “primary” raw materials market. In short, anything that doesn’t meet the requirements is placed on the secondary market. Secondary steel can be classified into two categories: used…