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AK Steel to build large-diameter tube mill

AK Steel, Middletown, Ohio, has invested $8.5 million at its wholly owned subsidiary, AK Tube LLC, to produce large-diameter stainless tubing that will assist heavy-truck manufacturers in meeting new standards for diesel emissions. The company said the investment includes a resistance weld tube mill and associated equipment capable of producing the tubing.

The new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, that go into effect Jan. 1, 2007, are designed to lower particulate matter and hydrocarbon emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. Due to the significantly higher exhaust temperatures that will result from the new emission designs, diesel engine manufacturers have specified large-diameter stainless tubing for many of the exhaust system components.

Completion of the mill is expected in mid-2006.