US Steel to restart tinplate production at Gary Works
US-based steel and tinplate producer United States Steel Corp has announced it will restart tinplate production at its Gary Works plant near Chicago, United States. The facility was idled in October 2022 due to intense competition from imported tin mill products. US Steel Midwest, a finishing facility that also manufactures tinplate approximately 10 miles from Gary Works, continued operating during the Gary Works shutdown.
Trade tensions also saw American tinplater Cleveland Cliffs close in March 2024, leaving only US Steel Midwest and Ohio Coatings operating in the country. US Steel President and CEO David Burritt commented that “customers are increasingly focused on securing dependable domestic supply they can rely on over the long term. Restarting the Gary Tin Mill positions [US Steel] to serve that demand, support domestic manufacturing, and strengthen critical US supply chains… provided trade is fair and enforced”.
On 9 April, US Steel filed petitions for anti-dumping duties against Chinese, Taiwanese, and Turkish tin mill products. A preliminary determination is expected by 26 May. Tinplate is subject to President Trump’s 50% steel tariffs, causing significant market disruption, particularly for European tinplate producers who have been caught in between cheaper Chinese tinplate entering Europe and US trade policy.
Imports of tinplate into the US peaked in mid-2025 and have since drifted downwards to historical normal levels amid escalating US trade policy.
The production line will restart in early 2027, creating around 225 jobs. The company estimated costs of US$15-20 million to restart operations.
Tinplate is the third largest tin use sector in the United States after chemicals and solder, representing an estimated 19% of demand in 2025.
