South Korean company Hyundai Steel announced it has signed a master research agreement with Louisiana State University (LSU) to support technology development and workforce training for a planned $5.8 billion steel mill project in the US state of Louisiana.
The agreement will allow Hyundai Steel and LSU to conduct joint research in key areas including steelmaking, materials science, energy, robotics, automation and environmental engineering, as well as pre-agreed terms on intellectual property rights, project management and research. Publication and proprietary data protection are expected to accelerate project implementation and commercialization of new technologies. As previously reported by SteelOrbis, Hyundai Steel is currently building an integrated electric arc furnace steel mill at the RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, in conjunction with a South Korean steel mill. POSCO. The plant, slated for completion in 2029, will produce automotive steel for Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. plants and will also target sales to other automakers.
The collaboration will leverage LSU's research infrastructure, including the Louisiana Synchrotron Facility, the Center for Advanced Microscopy and Analysis, and the university's Energy Institute, with a focus on advanced steelmaking processes, next-generation materials, low-carbon energy solutions and manufacturing innovation.
The partnership will also support Hyundai Steel's workforce development efforts in Louisiana through expanded graduate research opportunities, internships and recruiting events at LSU, complementing the company's existing training collaborations with River Parishes Community College and Louisiana Economic Development's FastStart initiative.
