Reuters reported that ArcelorMittal confirmed that it will temporary idle its electric arc furnace and two rolling mills at its long steel production site in Rodange and Schifflange, Luxembourg, a measure that will affect 450 employees.

It said that the decision was made in the light of weak demand in the Northern European construction sector.

ArcelorMittal said in a statement that “This is a temporary measure and the decision will be re evaluated at the end of 2011. All measures will have an effect on 450 employees who will be put into the internal redeployment cell.”

The company had said on Monday that it might halt the operations.

At the Rodange and Schifflange site ArcelorMittal produces long carbon steel products such as reinforcement bars, crane rails and special sections.

The steelmaker had announced earlier this month that it would shut two blast furnaces in October, one at its plant in Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany, and one at its Florange plant in France, due to weaker steel demand in Europe.

(Sourced from Reuters)