EAST CHICAGO — ArcelorMittal is idling the #4 Blast Furnace at its ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor steel mill after auto plants nationwide shut down for a deep cleaning to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Much of the steel made at the mill in East Chicago and along Northwest Indiana's lakeshore ends in cars, trucks and SUVs. Industry analysts estimate as much as 50% of the business at integrated mills like ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor comes from the automotive industry.
The Detroit 3 automakers are shuttering their plants through March 29 to clean them to protect workers from COVID-19. Honda, Subaru and other foreign automakers also temporarily closed their U.S. plants in response to the global pandemic for which there is not yet a cure.
"The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted ArcelorMittal USA’s key use markets. In response to this, we are adapting our capacity to meet changing demand while maintaining the flexibility of our operations," ArcelorMittal spokesman William Steers said. "As a result, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor has begun preparations for a safe and orderly blow down of IH #4 blast furnace with necessary precaution to preserve the asset for future production."
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The company would not say exactly how many jobs would be affected.
"ArcelorMittal USA plans to work with the USW to minimize impact on our workforce for the duration of the outage by finding available opportunities for displaced workers in other areas of our operations," Steers said. "Our employees are our greatest asset and their health and safety is our top priority. During this time we continue to be committed to protecting the well-being of our employees, contractors, vendors and customers to ensure the continuity and sustainability of our business and communities."
The idling could potentially just be the start as the coronavirus crisis unfolds, he said.
"ArcelorMittal will continue to engage with our customers in understanding the new market realities resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, which may require additional capacity optimization to align our production with end use demand," Steers said.
Gallery: World responds to threat, reality of coronavirus
APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Illinois
A man walks across a nearly empty Adams Street near The Art Institute of Chicago, Monday, March 23, in Chicago.
Virus Outbreak Illinois Daily Life
A woman waiting on a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train removes her protective mask to smoke Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Chicago.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
A lone woman walks across the usually busy State Street near the Chicago Theatre, Monday, March 23, 2020, in Chicago.
Service 4
Ada Hoops listens to a sermon on Sunday while sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot at Bethany Lutheran Church in LaPorte.
APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Illinois
An elderly lady walks across the usually busy Columbus Drive that splits Chicago's Grant Park in half, on the first work day since Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave a shelter in place order last week, Monday, March 23, 2020.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
Chicago's iconographic La Salle Street, the scene of many Hollywood movies, is barren of its usual dense vehicle traffic Monday, March 23, 2020.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
A man rides a nearly empty Chicago Transit Authority "L" train at the Quincy Station, Monday, March 23.
Virus Outbreak Funerals
A photo provided by Bob Arrington of Arrington Funeral Directors shows a viewing room with seating arranged to facilitate social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak, at their funeral home in Jackson, Tennessee on March 19.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
Chicago's Lake Shore Drive is barren of its usual vehicle traffic, Monday, March 23, 2020.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson speaks during a news conference at the Statehouse, Friday, March 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. Gov, Eric Holcomb said during the news conference with the state GOP and Democratic chairmen that the Indiana primary will instead be held on June 2 because of concern about the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Susan Stroud waits for a new customer at a Witham Health Services drive-thru Community Viral Screening center March 19 in Whitestown, Indiana.
Virus Outbreak Testing Michigan
Healthcare workers screen people seeking a coronavirus test at a COVID-19 drive-through testing site at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Drive-up church service
Pastor Dennis Meyer of Bethany Lutheran Church appealed for courage during a Sunday service held in his church parking lot because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pastor Dennis Meyer, left, of Bethany Lutheran Church in LaPorte gave his Sunday sermon in the church parking lot where guests remained in their vehicles during the service and took communion.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
Social distancing practices are implemented as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces that three more people have died in the state from from Covid-19 virus, two Illinois residents and one woman visiting from Florida, during a news conference Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Chicago.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
A worker delivers supplies at the Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook, Ill., Thursday, March 19, 2020. The number of COVID-19 cases inside the nursing home in west suburban Willowbrook has increased.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
An ambulance travels northbound on Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway as a traffic message board displays a message about coronavirus prevention Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Virus Outbreak Illinois Daily Life
A couple fish in Lake Michigan as the morning fog settles in the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium area Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Chicago.
Virus Outbreak Quarantine Shaming
Beachgoers enjoy a sunny day in Destin, Fla., Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Virus Outbreak Quarantine Shaming
FILE - In this March 17, 2020 file photo, a marquee outside the Lake Theater & Café in downtown Lake Oswego, Ore., reminds people to practice social distancing and stay home if sick.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
Medical personnel at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, conduct drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Park Ridge, Ill., Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City testing for COVID-19
Cars line up in the parking lot at Michigan City to await patient testing.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City testing for COVID-19
A sign points the way to the Michigan City testing site.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Vials for nasal samples of COVID-19 are seen last month at Kouts Family Health Care Inc.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Jessica Young, left and Kathy Lynch, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc., wait to test people for the COVID-19 virus Wednesday.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Kathy Lynch, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc. puts a test swab in a vile after taking a nasal sample from one of 10 people who waited for testing in the cars Wednesday, March 18 at the facility.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Kathy Lynch, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc., prepares to take a nasal swab sample for the COVID-19 virus on March 18 as 10 people wait in their vehicles to be tested.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Kathy Lynch, left, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc.,and Jessica Young prepare to take test swabs from 10 people for the COVID-19 virus Wednesday.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Kathy Lynch, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc readies a test for COVID-19 on March 18 in the parking lot of the facility where people drove up and had nasal swabs taken while they waited in the vehicles.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Ireland Smith, a member of the nursing staff at Kouts Family Health Care Inc., is reflected in the wet pavement as she finishes getting information from people being tested for the COVID-19 virus Wednesday at the facility.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Nursing staff wait to take samples from people being tested for the COVID-19 virus Wednesady at the Kouts Family Health Care Inc., where they tested 10 people. The facility received tests on Saturday, and took nasal swabs fro patients experiencing symptoms, with results expected in about 4 days.
Covid19 testing in Kouts
Kathy Lynch, owner of Kouts Family Health Care Inc., takes a nasal sample from one of 10 people who were scheduled for tests for the COVID-19 virus Wednesday. People drove through and waited in the vehicles for the tests to be taken.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City testing for COVID-19
A medical worker speaks to a patient during drive-thru COVID-19 testing Wednesday, March 18, outside the emergency room at Franciscan Health hospital in Crown Point.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City testing for COVID-19
A medical worker speaks with a patient during drive-thru COVID-19 testing Wednesday outside the emergency room at Franciscan Health hospital in Crown Point.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City testing for COVID-19
Medical workers manage drive-thru COVID-19 testing Wednesday outside the emergency room at Franciscan Health hospital in Crown Point.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City are testing for COVID-19 — with doctor's note
Kathy Lynch, Samantha Mokol, Jessica Young and Ireland Smith, nursing staff at Kouts Health Care, administer COVID-19 testing Wednesday.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City are testing for COVID-19 — with doctor's note
Workers at Kouts Health Care, a private practice in south Porter County, administer COVID-19 testing Wednesday. The office first started offering drive-thru testing to potentially sick individuals on Saturday.
Kouts practice, Franciscan hospitals in Crown Point, Michigan City are testing for COVID-19 — with doctor's note
Staffers at Kouts Health Care, a private practice in south Porter County, administer COVID-19 testing Wednesday, March 18.
Hobart Fire Dept coronavirus
Hobart firefighters practice safely putting on and taking off personal protective equipment in the event they are exposed to hazardous substances like coronavirus.
APTOPIX Viruc Outbreak Elections Florida
A polling place worker adjusts gloves as she tends to a reception table during the Florida primary election Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Jupiter, Fla. As Florida officials try to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the state's voters went to the polls to cast ballots in the Democratic presidential primary.
Election 2020 Illinois Primary
Guillermo Cruz-Sanchez takes his ballot to the ballot box at the Su Nueva Lavanderia polling place Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Chicago. Voters across the state are getting the chance to decide competitive primary races for the U.S. House and the Illinois Supreme Court, with concerns about the coronavirus looming large. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Courtney Crabtree takes notes after seeing a customer at a Witham Health Services drive-through Community Viral Screening center, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. The screening center for coronavirus will help provide guidance and reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Susan Stroud talks with a customer at a Witham Health Services drive-through Community Viral Screening center, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. The screening center for coronavirus will help provide guidance and reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Empty shelves are seen at the Meijer store, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. People concerned with the coronavirus have been shopping ahead and emptying store shelves.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Susan Stroud cleans a clipboard after talking with a customer at a Witham Health Services drive-through Community Viral Screening center, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. The screening center for coronavirus will help provide guidance and reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Courtney Crabtree check the temperature of a customer at a Witham Health Services drive-through Community Viral Screening center, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. The screening center for coronavirus will help provide guidance and reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
A worker restocks the frozen section at the Meijer store, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Whitestown, Ind. People concerned with the coronavirus have been shopping ahead and emptying store shelves.
Virus Outbreak-US
In this Saturday, March 14, 2020 photo provided by Elizabeth Pulvermacher travelers returning from Madrid wait in a coronavirus screening line at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Virus Outbreak Hawaii
A medical worker talks to a person in their car outside an Urgent Care Hawaii medical clinic March 13, 2019, in Pearl City, Hawaii. Urgent Care Hawaii is offering drive through testing for the coronavirus. Signs posted outside the clinic state do not enter if you are coming in to get tested for COVID-19.
Gymnastics state finals
The IHSAA 2020 gymnastics state finals were limited to competitors, event staff and credentialed media due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Medical tent sits outside Community Hospital
A red medical tent and a decontamination unit were visible in the parking lot of Community Hospital in Munster on Friday. The tent is being cleaned and prepped for possible deployment in light of the global COVID-19 outbreak, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Medical tent sits outside Community Hospital
A red medical tent was visible in the parking lot of Community Hospital in Munster on Friday. The tent is being cleaned and prepped for possible deployment in light of the global COVID-19 outbreak, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Health care workers test patients for the coronavirus in a drive-through site setup outside the South Bend Clinic Day Road Immediate Care Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Mishawaka, Ind.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
A health care worker tests a patient for the coronavirus in a drive-through site setup outside the South Bend Clinic Day Road Immediate Care Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Mishawaka, Ind.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Health care workers test a patient for the coronavirus in a drive-through site setup outside the South Bend Clinic Day Road Immediate Care Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Mishawaka, Ind.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Health care workers test a patient for the coronavirus in a drive-through site setup outside the South Bend Clinic Day Road Immediate Care Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Mishawaka, Ind.
Virus Outbreak Indiana
Health care workers test patients for the coronavirus in a drive-through site setup outside the South Bend Clinic Day Road Immediate Care Center on Wednesday in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Virus Outbreak Illinois
A woman wears a protective mask as she sits on a chair in terminal 5 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sunday, March 1.
Virus Outbreak US
A woman wearing a mask wipes down an electronic device as she stands near the entrance of the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The facility has been tied to several confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Virus Outbreak US
A woman wearing a mask walks away from the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, Monday, March 2, 2020. Health officials in Washington state said Sunday night that a second person had died from the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
APTOPIX Nigeria Virus Outbreak
A man wearing face mask walks at the Yaba Mainland hospital where an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on Tuesday from Milan on a business trip, the first case of the COVID-19 virus is being treated in Lagos Nigeria Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Nigeria's health authorities have reported the country's first case of a new coronavirus in Lagos, the first confirmed appearance of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. (AP Photo/ Sunday Alamba)
Britain Virus Outbreak
A tourist wears a face mask as she watches the Changing of the Guard, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Monday, March 2, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters Sunday at a health center in London that he was “very, very confident” that Britain’s National Health Service can cope with the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
APTOPIX Italy Virus Outbreak
A Russian tourist dons both a carnival mask and a protective face mask as he visits St. Mark's square Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Italy has been scrambling to check the spread of Europe's first major outbreak of the new viral disease amid rapidly rising numbers of infections and calling off the popular Venice Carnival and closing tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Renata Brito)
Virus Outbreak US
Travelers Meredith Ponder, left, and Coleby Hanisch, both of Des Moines, Iowa, wear masks to remind them not to touch their faces as they ride a train at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in SeaTac, Wash. Six of the 18 Western Washington residents with the coronavirus have died as health officials rush to test more suspected cases and communities brace for spread of the disease. All confirmed cases of the virus in Washington are in Snohomish and King counties. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Virus Outbreak US
A man wearing a mask walks away from the entrance of the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The facility has been tied to several confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Virus Outbreak US
A man wearing a mask and goggles rides his bike out of the parking lot at the Life Care Center is shown in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The facility has been tied to several confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Virus Outbreak Iraq
Police officers wear masks at Baghdad Airport, Iraq, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. From religion to sports, countries were taking drastic and increasingly visible measures to curb the new coronavirus that first emerged in China and was spreading quickly through Europe, the Mideast and the Americas. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Italy China Outbreak Europe
A woman wearing a sanitary mask looks at her phone in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. At least 190 people in Italy’s north have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and four people have died, including an 84-year-old man who died overnight in Bergamo, the Lombardy regional government reported. (Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP)
Virus Outbreak Mideast Palestinians
A pilgrim prays outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Palestinian authorities said the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
France Virus Outbreak
Masked tourists take picture next to the Joconde by Leonardo da Vinci, seen at left, at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Thursday, March 5, 2020. With the COVID-19 virus taking firmer hold in Europe, the continent is facing the same complications seen in Asia weeks ago. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Virus Outbreak Taiwan
People wearing face masks as a precaution against the new coronavirus walk on a street in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
India Virus Outbreak
Indian social activists distribute masks to pedestrians at the landmark Charminar in Hyderabad, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Virus Outbreak South Korea
People line up to buy face masks to protect themselves from the new coronavirus outside Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 5, 2020. The number of infections of the COVID-19 disease spread around the globe. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Virus Outbreak Indonesia
Children wear masks in the wake of the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a kindergarten in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Indonesia confirmed its first cases of the coronavirus earlier this week in two people who contracted the illness from a foreign traveler. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
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Joseph S. Pete
Business Reporter
Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
