POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks Supports Pohang Steelworks Operation Stability Through Refractory Supply Assistance

Supporting Refractory Heating Work and Dispatching 11 Construction Experts to Pohang Steelworks

Steel Semi-Finished Products Begin Production... Subsequent Processes Underway at Gwangyang Steelworks

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jinsu) announced that it has joined forces to support the supply of refractory materials to stabilize operations at the Pohang Steelworks steelmaking plant, demonstrating a shared commitment to overcoming the crisis at Pohang Steelworks.

On the 6th, Pohang Steelworks experienced extensive flooding in many parts of the plant due to Typhoon Hinnamnor, facing an unprecedented shutdown since it began molten iron production in 1973.

To normalize steelmaking operations, it is essential to complete the construction of refractory materials and raise the temperature to remove moisture. However, Pohang Steelworks faced difficulties as the heating equipment was submerged due to the flooding of the cold stream, and power supply was cut off.

In response, the Refractory Group at Gwangyang Steelworks transported six and seven units of refractory materials from Pohang to Gwangyang on the 8th and 10th of last month, respectively, distributing them to the heating facilities of Gwangyang’s Steelmaking Plants 1, 2, and 3. They conducted emergency heating operations over three days and quickly transported the materials back to Pohang, helping stabilize steelmaking operations.

Additionally, beyond the emergency heating response for refractory materials, 11 refractory construction experts from POSCO Chemical, Doowon Enterprise, Gwangyangro, and other group and partner companies were dispatched to Pohang to provide support.

This close cooperation between Gwangyang Steelworks and Pohang Steelworks, along with the recovery efforts of Pohang employees, resulted in the normalization of the steelmaking process.

Notably, this support in refractory material supply enabled Pohang Steelworks to resume semi-finished steel product production from the 12th of last month, completing a system where Gwangyang Steelworks carries out subsequent processes to produce finished products, underscoring the significance of this effort.

Kim Mucheol, head of the Refractory Group who supported the refractory material supply, said, “I am pleased that molten iron production at Pohang Steelworks could proceed smoothly through our support for refractory-related work,” and added, “I thank the employees who worked hard on the refractory heating operations.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang Steelworks is making efforts to ensure the rapid recovery of Pohang Steelworks and minimize damage to customers by supporting 13 ladle transport vehicles, providing power and motor equipment specialists, supplying environmental maintenance equipment, and minimizing supply disruptions through increased production.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.