Company

1971

The oxygen plants, Chicago Pneumatic (800 m³/hour) and Hitachi (2,000 m³/hour), start operation.

Beginning of data processing in Acesita.

1972

First heat in the LD converter supplied by Voest, operation startup of mechanized plate mill and gas pits.

Completion of the second phase of the expansion plan, increase Acesita’s production capacity to 300,000 t/year.

Start of Amaro Lanari Guatimozim management, who will face a big challenge in the stainless steel conquest: the steelmaking companies keep their technological secret under lock and key and refuse to provide technical assistance to Acesita. The Company’s technological creativity snaps into it and its technical team travels around the world visiting the main steel producers in Europe, United States and Japan.

1974

Erection of the Heurtey walking beam furnace and re-startup of the 24-mm mill.

The Lind – Union Carbide hot scarfing mill starts operation, which is the first machine to be installed in Latin America.
The new chemical pickling unit starts operation.
Foundation of Forjas Acesita and Itavale.

The intense rhythm taken up by Acesita’s expansion plan kindles new charcoal demands. In order to assure s regular supply to the steelmaking sector, the purchasing of many and large areas, for reforesting and charcoal production purposes, in Vale do Jequitinhonha was intensified. The new scale of activities required in this sector encouraged the opening of the subsidiary Florestal Acesita S.A.

1975

Return of the 3/1 team who attended a training period in Daido Steel, in Nagoya, Japan.

First visit to Armco to detail the training program of the employees who will operate the equipment.

Second visit to Japan.

1976

Third visit of the Japanese team, with representatives from Nipon Steel Corporation and Daido Steel Corporation.

Beginning of erection and tests of stainless steel rolling mill units performed by foreign technicians.

1977

The Sendzimir line for cold rolling stainless steel plates from imported hot-rolled coils starts operation. This is a pioneer unit in Latin America and a milestone for stainless steel production.

The third expansion takes place, making up the current Acesita’s business complex.

1978

Industrial operation of Forjas Acesita, and launching of products in the market.
AOD converter starts up, with capacity to produce 120,000 t of stainless steel per year. Erection of the new Melt Shop Area, including hot- and cold-rolling of oriented-grain silicon steel.

The cold rolling process supplies the stainless steel domestic market, thus proving relief to the Country’s commercial balance. Production: 42,687 t of plates and coils.

1979

Start up of the of the new Melt Shop Area and Blast Furnace no. 2, the world’s largest charcoal-fueled furnace with capacity for 900 t/day.

The new oxygen plant starts operation; as well as oriented-grain silicon steel cold rolling mill; 75-t LD converter; Steckel mill and continuous casting machine no. 1.