🌐 In 1969, Georgetown Steel, led by Willy Korf, revolutionized the steel industry. A subsidiary of Korf Industries, it became a pioneer by adopting the Midrex technology, transforming a struggling city and reshaping steel production norms.
Georgetown Steel's downtown facility was more than a steel plant—it housed the world's first commercial direct reduction plant. Utilizing DRI from Midrex and powerful electric arc furnaces, it annually produced 250,000 tons of reinforcing bars.
In 1992, Georgetown Steel set a world record, casting 24,580 tons in 353 hours and 55 minutes. This showcased not only the efficiency of Midrex technology but Georgetown Steel's commitment to pushing industry boundaries.
Midrex Technologies, Inc. emerged as a response to challenges in the steel industry. The quest for an alternative to scrap without a blast furnace led Korf to the US in 1967. The Midrex process, developed by the Surface Combustion Division of Midland Ross, offered a cost advantage with its 'gas reforming' method.
The exceptional synergy between Korf and Surface Combustion resulted in the founding of Georgetown Steel Corporation in 1967, with Midland Ross holding a 25% stake. Korf strategically chose South Carolina's location on the Eastern Seaboard between New York and Florida, challenging conventions.
Georgetown Steel benefited from local subsidies, tax exemptions, and favorable conditions. Equipped with electric arc furnaces, continuous casting, and a Midrex plant, it became a symbol of advanced steel production. The Mini Steelworks boasted a 50% cost advantage over large integrated steelworks, an economic revolution.
Willy Korf's leap across the Atlantic defied skeptics and laid the groundwork for a new era in steel production. His vision, coupled with innovations like Midrex, showcased foresight's power. Georgetown Steel's legacy lies not just in steel tons but in the paradigm shift it brought to global steelmaking. 🏭✨
Willy Korf Foundation
#SteelInnovation #MidrexTechnology #WillyKorf
