CDI Corporation Teams Up With Nucor and Tenova To Develop World's Largest Direct Reduced Iron Facility

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI) today announced that it is working with Tenova HYL Technologies to assist Nucor Corporation in the development of Nucor's direct reduced iron-making facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana.  The $750 million plant on a 4,000-acre site located along the Mississippi River midway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is the largest of its kind in the world and is expected to produce two and a half million metric tons of direct reduced iron (DRI) annually.

Direct reduction technology utilizes natural gas to convert iron ore pellets into high quality DRI used by Nucor's steel mills, along with recycled scrap, to produce high quality steel products such as sheet, plate and special bar quality steel.   

CDI engineers are providing detailed civil, electrical, mechanical, process and structural engineering, as well as pipe routing and modeling, and stress analysis for the development of the facility's DRI core area. Tenova engineers are providing electrical and mechanical equipment materials in the core area and water plant, as well as all requirements for materials handling.  

The construction of the facility is expected to be completed in mid-2013. It's the first phase of a multi-phase plan that may include a second DRI plant, coke plant, blast furnace, pellet plant and steel mill.  

"We are delighted to be playing a key role in the design of this important project," said Robert Giorgio, President of CDI's Global Engineering & Technology Solutions business. "Our experienced engineers are working closely with Nucor and Tenova to bring the project to completion on time, and we look forward to the possibility of working with them again on additional phases of the project."

"We are proud to be working with our construction partners to build this new direct reduced iron plant.  This project is creating more than 600 construction jobs and 150 permanent full-time jobs.  It is a significant investment in America's manufacturing sector, " said Lester Hart, General Manager, Nucor Steel Louisiana LLC. 

"We are excited to be part of what is essentially the return of DRI production to the US," said Carlos Garza, Tenova HYL President and CEO. "The significant decrease in natural gas prices and added availability opens the door for a new era of clean iron making in the US, and we are proud that our Energiron technology can play a part."

About CDI

CDI Corp. (NYSE:CDI) is an integrated, market-leading engineering and technology services firm providing differentiated, client-focused solutions in select global industries. CDI provides Global Engineering & Technology Solutions and Professional Services Staffing through its global business operations in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. The Company also provides staffing services through its franchised Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI) operating unit. Learn more at www.cdicorp.com

About Tenova

Tenova is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products and engineering services for the iron & steel and mining industries, providing innovative, integrated solutions for complete process areas. Tenova's network companies operate in 26 countries on five continents with more than 4,600 people. Learn more at www.tenovagroup.com and www.energiron.com

About Nucor

Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel and steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and non-ferrous scrap.  Nucor is North America's largest recycler. Learn more at www.nucor.com

SOURCE CDI Corp.