Romanias steelmaking industry has its roots in the early 20th century, when an influx of immigrants from other European countries almost doubled its population. Many of these immigrants brought with them skills in metallurgy and the production of steel.
The countrys first commercial steel plants were founded in 1921. Based on a French-style process, these new factories were modern and efficient, and soon exported a range of steel alloys to other European countries. By the mid-twentieth century, Romania was firmly established as a major exporter of steel products.
Today, Romania has several major steel-producing companies, and steel production is an important aspect of the nations economy. The nations government, recognizing the importance of steel in the countrys development, has actively supported the industry through various incentives and subsidies.
The majority of Romanias steel is produced in the refractory process, which relies on an optimal blend of iron ores, flux, and petroleum coke. This process has largely been abandoned in other parts of the world, due to its high cost and pollution, but is still in use in Romania. In the last few years, the country has gradually begun to move away from this refractory process, relying increasingly on recycled scrap steel as a substitute for some of the iron ore.
The Romanian steel industry produces a wide range of products, from bolts and reinforcing rods to large structural components for bridges, buildings, and other heavy engineering applications. A particular specialty is the production of high-specification structural steel for bridges and other structural engineering applications.
The nations steel companies enjoy the benefits of being well-integrated into the global market, with extensive access to up-to-date information and technologies. Steel products manufactured in Romania are regularly exported to other European countries and the United States. Imports of steel products also occur, particularly from Germany, Italy and France.
In recent years, the nations steelmaking industry has made strides towards becoming more efficient and forward-looking. Major investments have resulted in increased use of energy-efficient equipment and practices. The industry has also worked to create a sound and sustainable environment for its employees, with the benefit of improving worker safety and value.
Through its continued efforts to diversify and modernize the steelmaking process, Romanias steel industry has the potential to become a major player in the global steel market. Its steel-making capacity is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, and its high-quality products are sure to keep it competitive in the global marketplace.
