It reported that POSCO has completed construction of an annual 270,000 tonnes scale API steel pipe factory in Pittsburgh in California.

As per report, United Spiral Pipe LLC, established jointly with US Steel and Seah Steel with abundant experience in steel pipe manufacturing, will manufacture and sell high quality American Petroleum Institute certified steel pipes which designed for energy transportation.

Mr Joon yang Chung chairman of POSCO, Mr John P Surma CEO of US Steel and Mr Wun hyeong Lee chairman of Seah Steel joined the 200 or so personnel.

Mr Chung said that "The US is the largest market in steel pipes for energy transportation and we expect the demand in the North America region to increase. We hope that USP, POSCO's first investment in the high quality API steel pipe sector meets clients needs in North America and ask for efforts to grow together with clients."

Mr Surma said that "We are very proud to collaborate with POSCO and Seah Steel. The completion of this factory will create new jobs in the local society, and I am sure that it will contribute greatly to industrial development."

The USP factory completed has the most up to date equipment to produce large diameter steel pipes of 24 to 64 inches using steel sheets up to 25.4" in thickness. The hot rolled steel sheets necessary for API steel pipe production will be provided by POSCO and US Steel, 50% from each company.

This project is being reviewed as the most ideal collaboration with POSCO possessing the world's top technology in producing hot-rolled steel sheets, Seah Steel with vast experience in steel pipe manufacturing and US Steel with a sales network in the US as well as geographical advantages.