According to industry sources on June 15, Sebang Lithium Battery will establish a local subsidiary in Ohio, the United States, and handle production of grid-scale ESS battery modules for LG Energy Solution. The order is valued at KRW 1.8 trillion, with revenue expected to begin from the fourth quarter of this year.

【SMM Steel】JSW Steel's May consolidated crude steel output rose 15% y-o-y to 2.29 million tonnes driven by full operations at its Dolvi facility which had planned maintenance last year and the complete ramp-up at JVML. Domestic output rose to 2.19 million tonnes from 1.9 million tonnes while its US Ohio plant output climbed 20% to 95000 tonnes. Excluding the ongoing shutdown of BF3 at Vijayanagar for expansion domestic capacity utilization reached approximately 98%. JSW Steel had reported April crude steel output of 2.12 million tonnes down 1% y-o-y.

Thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology has announced it will close its Terre Haute, Indiana facility — operated by thyssenkrupp Presta North America and employing around 230 people — by March 31, 2027. U.S. chassis operations will be consolidated at the Hamilton, Ohio plant run by thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America. The company said the closure will be phased to ensure uninterrupted customer supply. COO Viktor Molnar framed the move as a step toward more flexible and cost-efficient production structures amid ongoing transformation in the automotive industry.

【SMM Steel】India's JSW Steel reported consolidated crude steel production of 2.118 million tonnes in April, down 1% from 2.14 million tonnes a year earlier. Indian operations contributed 2.04 million tonnes, down 1% y-o-y, while its Ohio facility in the US produced 78,000 tonnes, down 7% y-o-y. The decline was primarily due to the shutdown of Blast Furnace 3 at Vijayanagar for a capacity upgrade, which is expected to restart in Q4 2026. Excluding BF3 from last year's base, production growth was approximately 10%.

JSW Steel delivered record production and sales in FY2024-25, but weaker steel realizations dragged down revenue and margins, creating a clear growth paradox: higher volumes but lower earnings quality. As India’s largest steelmaker, JSW’s next challenge is to turn its scale into more resilient earnings through higher VASP contribution, stronger raw material security, selective overseas improvement, technology partnerships, and decarbonization readiness.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Imerys announced on April 10, 2026, a binding agreement to acquire Great Lakes Minerals, a major U.S. processor and distributor of calcined bauxite, mullite, and fused alumina for the refractory and abrasive industries. The acquisition strengthens Imerys’ position in North America, supported by strategic assets along the Ohio River in Kentucky with efficient barge-to-plant logistics. It is expected to generate approximately $80 million in annual revenue post-integration and benefit from ongoing industrial reshoring in the USA. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to standard conditions.