Hyundai Steel has signed a Master Research Agreement (MRA) with Louisiana State University (LSU) to support technology development and workforce training for its planned USD 5.8 bln electric arc furnace (EAF)-based steel mill in Ascension Parish, Louisiana.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint research in metallurgy, materials science, energy, robotics, automation and environmental engineering, while also supporting the development of skilled personnel for Hyundai Steel’s first integrated steelmaking facility in North America.
The new steel mill, which is scheduled for completion in 2029, will be built on an 1,800-acre site at RiverPlex MegaPark. The project is expected to create around 1,300 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs. The facility will primarily supply steel to Hyundai Motor Group’s vehicle manufacturing operations in the United States, with plans to expand sales to other automakers.
Under the partnership, Hyundai Steel will gain access to LSU’s research capabilities in advanced materials, manufacturing optimization, robotics, energy technologies and low-carbon steelmaking. The agreement also aims to create internship, research and career opportunities for LSU students and graduates.
Proposed areas of collaboration include direct reduced iron (DRI) technology, smart factory solutions, clean energy applications, advanced manufacturing processes and the development of next-generation steel materials.
Hyundai Steel is South Korea’s second-largest steel producer and a key supplier to the automotive, construction and shipbuilding sectors. The company is investing USD 5.8 bln in its Louisiana steel project, which will be one of the first fully integrated EAF-based steel mills in the United States.