Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has awarded a large-scale contract for the expansion of its hot-rolling steel mill to Voest Alpine Industrieanlagenbau. The expansion will take place at the Saudi Iron and Steel Company (HADEED) - SABIC's wholly-owned metals affiliate - based at Al-Jubail. Saudi Arabia and will double SABIC's flat steel production capacity from one million to two million metric tons a year (mt/y). Completion of the steel mill is scheduled for the start of 2006. The turnkey contract includes slab yard and coil yard expansion; a second reheating furnace; a sixth finishing stand; a second downcoiler; and skin pass mill automation system. The expansion will cement SABIC's position as the leading metals producer in the Middle East. --MORE 1123 Local Time 0823 GMT
