Vinton Steel LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Kyoei Steel, has awarded Tenova, a leading developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, a contract to supply a new melt shop at its facility in El Paso, Texas. At the core of this transformation is Tenova’s Green City Mill Flex, an advanced technology platform designed to increase the Texas steelmaker’s production capacity to 400,000 tons per year while significantly reducing emissions, energy consumption, and operational costs.
On February 3, 2025, executives from Tenova and Vinton Steel LLC gathered at Kyoei Steel’s headquarters in Osaka, Japan, to celebrate the signing of the contract. This milestone marks a key step in Kyoei Steel’s North American expansion. Construction is set to begin in the summer of 2025, with plant startup scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
“This project marks a significant milestone for Kyoei Steel Group’s expansion in North America,” said Masahiro Kitada, Chairman of Vinton Steel LLC. “By investing in state-of-the-art green steelmaking technologies, we are not only strengthening our presence in the U.S. market but also contributing to the economic development of the local community and the entire West Texas region. We are proud to bring advanced and sustainable steel production to El Paso at the Border area, creating new opportunities for growth. We are happy to embrace our largest investment outside Japan with a longlasting partner like Tenova.”
Green City Mill Flex: A Revolution in Long Steel Production
Tenova’s Green City Mill Flex is redefining the future of long steel production by setting new benchmarks in efficiency, product flexibility, and environmental responsibility. Engineered to manufacture a wide range of long steel grades with the lowest carbon footprint on the market, this innovative platform integrates cutting-edge technologies, including the third generation Consteel® Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology. The plant will also feature continuous casting and rolling capabilities in collaboration with Pomini Long Rolling Mills. By leveraging the local steel scrap recycling supply chain, Green City Mill Flex strengthens the principles of circular economy and selfsufficiency, minimizing the environmental impact of steel production in urban settings.
“This project sets a new benchmark for regional steelmaking plants,” said Francesco Memoli, President & CEO of Tenova Inc. “The Green City Mill Flex platform represents the latest evolution of the mini-mill concept, adding unprecedented levels of flexibility, efficiency, and safety. It is a gamechanger for long-steel producers looking to modernize and meet the demands of sustainable manufacturing.”
Under the contract, Tenova will supply a complete suite of next-generation technologies, including a 45-ton Consteel® EAF with continuous scrap preheating, an in-line Ladle Metallurgy Furnace for precise steel refining, a multi-strand Continuous Casting Machine, and a fully automated Material Handling System. The project will also include an advanced Fume Treatment Plant with a quenching tower and pulse-jet baghouse, a zero-water-consumption Water Treatment Plant, and a new Electrical Distribution System, all designed to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
Project Execution and Strategic Vision
The project will be executed through an EPCM contract managed by Techint Engineering & Construction (Techint E&C), a subsidiary of the Techint Group, Tenova’s parent company. With extensive experience in industrial infrastructure, Techint E&C will oversee the construction process, ensuring that the project is completed on time and in full compliance with the highest quality and safety standards.
With this strategic investment, Vinton Steel LLC and Tenova are shaping the future of sustainable steel production, reinforcing the role of green technologies in the U.S. metals industry, and supporting the increasing demand for low-carbon steelmaking solutions.
