LONDON: As part of its expansion strategy in Central and Eastern Europe, Arcelor Mittal on Friday announced plans to invest in a new Steel Service Centre in Krakow in Poland.

With a processing capacity of 450,000 tonnes per year, the facility will strengthen the existing network of SSC operations in Poland, in Huta Zendzimira (Krakow) and in Bytom (near Katowice), Arcelor Mittal said.

The plant will start operating late this year.

This development anticipates the expected transformation of the Polish steel market over the coming years, in size as much as in quality and service standards.

The new facility will be fitted with modern equipment, serviced by a lean and specialised team, and will be able to meet the evolving market requirements with the utmost efficiency, it said.

"The fast and efficient implementation of such organic growth projects in Central and Eastern Europe is facilitated by the successful integration of Arcelor Mittal in Europe," said Philippe Darmayan, CEO of Arcelor Mittal Steel Solutions and Services and Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO for Eastern Europe.