Trend magazine reported that Austria's group Voestalpine is considering a plan to build a USD 1 billion plant in the United States that would convert iron ore into concentrate used in steelmaking.
Trend said the plant was envisioned for a coastal city in the southern United States, given cheap and reliable supplies of natural gas, political stability and efficient port infrastructure.
A source familiar with the situation said such a plan was under consideration but no decisions were imminent.
Voestalpine declined to comment on the report, which was released ahead of publication on Monday.
Voestalpine Chief Executive Mr Wolfgang Eder has been pushing for foreign expansion to help diversify from Europe, where he says political opposition to closing plants is weighing on efforts to address chronic overcapacity in the steel sector.
