News

POMINI Long Rolling Mills has received a contract from Vinton Steel LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese group Kyoei Steel Ltd., for the new bar rolling mill in El Paso County (Texas, United States of America). The new rolling mill is part of the Green City Mill Flex project, featuring the integrated and innovative eco-efficient steelmaking-casting-rolling technology, conceived in partnership with Tenova to produce a wide range of high quality long products with reduced carbon emissions, low energy consumption, and operational costs.

The Green City Mill Flex concept redefines the long steel production by setting new benchmarks in efficiency, production flexibility, and environmental responsibility.

By leveraging the local steel scrap recycling supply chain, the Green City Mill Flex strengthens the principles of circular economy and self-sufficiency, minimizing the environmental impact of steel production in urban settings.

The project marks a key step in Kyoei Steel’s expansion into North America, the signing of the contract was therefore celebrated on February 3, 2025 at Kyoei Steel’s headquarter in Osaka (Japan).

"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 of 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  long-lasting partners like Tenova and POMINI Long Rolling Mills."

Tenova will supply the new Consteel® EAF melt shop, the multi-strands continuous billet caster, the material handling system, the fume treatment plant, the water treatment plant, and the electrical distribution system.
"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 game-changer for long-steel producers looking to modernize and meet the demands of sustainable manufacturing."

Under the contract, POMINI Long Rolling Mills will supply a complete suite of advanced long rolling technologies.
The new rolling mill will have a hot link connection with the continuous caster to allow an endless rolling process with boosted production yield. The rolling mill train will be equipped with the latest generation of the renowned Red Ring™ stands outfitted with the highly reliable BRG guides. The rolling train will be followed by inline thermo-processing system, and by cooling facilities connecting to the finishing areas, supplied by POMINI Long Rolling Mills in a previous project.  Plain rounds in high-carbon steel grade for grinding balls will also be rolled.

“We are very proud to supply the state-of-the art Rolling Mill to Vinton Steel” said Ernesto Bottone, CEO of POMINI Long Rolling Mills. Consistently with the objectives of the Green City Mill Flex concept, the Rolling Mill will operate with the latest Level 1 and 2 process automation systems, seamlessly integrated into HORIZON, the comprehensive digital platform developed  by POMINI Long Rolling Mills for maximizing the operational efficiency across all areas."

The startup of the Green City Mill Flex is planned in the first quarter of 2027.

The rolling mill for Vinton Steel will be the fourth project undertaken by POMINI Long Rolling Mills with Kyoei Steel Group.

Originally established in 1962 as Border Steel Company, Vinton Steel LLC has been part of Kyoei Steel Group since 2016. The largest steel recycling company of West Texas and New Mexico States, its current operations include scrap processing facilities, a EAF melt shop, a bar rolling mill, and a grinding ball mill. Vinton Steel LLC specializes in producing reinforcing steel bars, grinding steel balls, and plain rounds for the industrial construction and mining industries.

Established in 1947, Kyoei Steel Group Ltd. is headquartered in Osaka (Japan). Beside Japan, the group has manufacturing plants in Vietnam and North America. During the financial year ending in March 2024, the consolidated net sales of Kyoei Steel Group totaled 321.0 billion yen.

Green City Mill Flex is a trademark of Tenova Inc.