SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., the country’s leading steel manufacturer, has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art P30-billion steel plant in Candelaria, Quezon, aimed at producing heavy structural steel products currently 100 percent imported. The facility, expected to begin operations by 2027, is poised to significantly reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign suppliers, saving the country an estimated $1.2 billion annually.
The plant will focus on producing over one million tons of steel products, including H beams, I beams, angles, channels, plates, and sheet piles, using advanced European steel technology. This move aligns with SteelAsia’s mission to create a fully integrated local steel industry, reducing dependence on countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand for critical construction materials.
In a major step forward, SteelAsia awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract for the plant to MCC Huatian Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd., a global leader in steel plant construction. MCC Huatian, which has built over 230 steel plants worldwide, will bring its unparalleled expertise to ensure the success of the project.
Chairman and CEO Ben Yao emphasized the project’s significant commercial impact, noting that the new plant will not only save billions in foreign exchange but will also create around 7,000 local jobs. “Instead of sending jobs abroad, we will keep them here, boosting the local economy,” Yao said. Furthermore, the plant’s use of electric arc furnace technology and recycled scrap metal will reduce the carbon footprint by 90%, positioning SteelAsia as a leader in sustainable steel production.
The Candelaria plant will drastically cut delivery lead times for construction materials from 3-4 months for imports to just 1-2 weeks, directly benefiting the construction and infrastructure sectors. “This is a game changer. Quicker project completion and lower costs will be the immediate results for the industry,” Yao added.
Once operational, the plant will not only enhance the competitiveness of the Philippines’ construction industry but also position SteelAsia as a key player in the regional steel market, putting the country on par with its more advanced neighbors in terms of steel production capacity and technology.
