[ferro-alloys.com]Nucor is investing $650 million to expand flat-rolled steel production capacity at its Gallatin sheet mill in Ghent, Kentucky, from 1.6 million st to approximately 3 million st, the company said Friday.

The expansion will compliment the $176 million investment currently underway at Gallatin to construct a hot band continuous pickle galvanizing line, Nucor said. The pickle galvanizing line is expected to be operational in the first half of 2019 and will produce approximately 500,000 st galvanized hot band per year.

"This investment is another major component of our planned strategy for long-term profitable growth," Nucor CEO John Ferriola said in a statement. "Together with the new galvanizing line, this expansion increases our presence in the important Midwest market, specifically in the automotive, agriculture, heavy equipment, and energy pipe and tube sectors."

The company said it continues to evaluate additional expansion projects as part of its initiative to further grow its sheet business. Nucor acquired the former Gallatin Steel Company in late 2014 for approximately $780 million.

• [Editor:王可]