Egyptian group Ezz Steel has reopened its 1.3Mt/y Ezz Flat Steel (EFS) plant.

Ezz Steel, Egypt's largest steel producer, had halted production at the facility in November 2008 due to the global financial crisis, but resumed operations as it anticipated a pickup in demand and improvement in global prices.

Ezz Flat Steel was modified during the stoppage to produce both flat and long steel products, and is expected to utilise around 80% of its capacity in the next nine months. The plant, inaugurated in 2004, accounts for around 18% of Ezz Steel's total production.