Algeria exports its first rebar

Turkish steelmaker Tosyali's Oran plant in Algeria has concluded Algeria's first rebar export deal, a key step in the country's shift from importer to exporter.

The plant sold 10,000t of grade 60 rebar to a buyer in the US last month, and the cargo was dispatched to Houston last week.

The north African country has been trying to limit steel imports and build up its own steel production capacity.

Tosyali has 3mn t/yr of rebar and 600,000 t/yr of wire rod production capacity in Algeria and produced around 1.5mn t of long products last year.

The company brought on line a 4mn t/yr iron ore pellet plant and 2.5mn t/yr DRI plant in Algeria at the end of last year.

Tosyali Algeria primarily aims to supply the domestic market, but said will consider export options when possible.