Brown Lands Major Investment for Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Plant

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown announced today a major investment to revamp the Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works Plant’s ironmaking systems. This includes the installation of a new 100% hydrogen-ready, flex-fuel direct reduction plant. Coupled with two electric melting furnaces, this will produce iron with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions. The funding comes from the Department of Energy’s Industrial Demonstrations Program, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, which Brown helped write and pass.

Impact on Ohio’s Manufacturing Sector

The investment ensures that IAM steelworkers in Middleton remain at the forefront of the global steel industry. It will support the growth of Ohio’s industries while creating good-paying jobs and maintaining Ohio’s status as a national leader in manufacturing and innovation.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works

Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works, represented by the International Association of Machinists, produces advanced grades of flat-rolled steel for the automotive industry and other critical manufacturing sectors. The revamp will make Middletown Works the most GHG-efficient integrated steel mill in North America.

Benefits of the Project

The advanced technology will preserve domestic iron and steel production. It will also reduce emissions, energy usage, and raw material consumption in iron and steel making. The byproduct of the electric melting furnaces can be used as a substitute for Portland cement, offering further environmental benefits.

Brown’s Advocacy for the Ohio Steel Industry

Brown has long supported the Ohio steel industry and worked to strengthen U.S. trade enforcement. He has advocated for Ohio steel companies and their workers and recently introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance U.S. trade remedy laws. His efforts led to key wins for Ohio companies.