Arcelor Mittal is supplying 770 tonnes of cryogenic steel plates (through its subsidiary Industeel) for a new Shell petrochemical complex currently under construction in Pennsylvania, USA (www.arcelormittal.com).

The CryElso 9Q (9% nickel) plates (produced at Industeel Creusot in France) will be used in the construction of the
liquid-gas storage units. The steel can withstand temperatures as low as -160°C. The plates are delivered in 5-30mm thicknesses.

The Shell Chemical Appalachia petrochemicals complex will use ethane from shale-gas producers to create 1.6 million tonnes of polyethylene per year.

This material used to make many products, from food packaging and sports equipment to furniture and automotive components.

The project will help to bring economic growth and jobs to the region, with up to 6,000 construction workers involved in building the facility and about 600 permanent jobs when the complex is completed.

The commercial production of polyethylene is expected to begin early next decade.