Mittal Steel expanding Indiana research laboratories

Mittal Steel will break ground July 13 for a major expansion of its research and development laboratories in East Chicago, Ind.

"This multi-million dollar expansion will significantly enhance our Research and Development operations not only in the United States but all over the world, and will further improve our ability to provide advanced engineering solutions to meet the evolving needs of our most demanding customers," said Louis L. Schorsch, president and chief executive officer of Mittal Steel USA.

The East Chicago research and development center is an integral part of Mittal Steel USA's material partnership with manufacturers of cars, trucks, appliances and other products, the company says. It also is headquarters for research and development at Mittal Steel Co. worldwide, with laboratories operating in France and the Czech Republic as well.

Thursday begins Phase I of a planned $10 million expansion of the East Chicago research campus. Phase I will add 22,000 square feet to the laboratories of Building A. Construction is being accelerated, and occupancy is expected within a year of groundbreaking.

The $4.2 million first phase will accommodate equipment moved from Bethlehem, Pa., to consolidate the company's research activities after the acquisition of International Steel Group last year.

The campus also is adding talent—engineers and technicians who transferred from Bethlehem and those being added in an aggressive recruitment process intended to attract top steel scientists from all over the world, the company says.

The second phase would add 20,000 square feet to Building B, just east of the construction that begins Thursday.