Bolivian steel factory Empresa Siderúrgica del Mutún (ESM) announced that its Direct Iron Reduction plant completed the testing on Wednesday of this week; therefore, the plant will begin producing in commercial quantities later this week.

Jorge Alvarado, president of ESM, explained that the start-up of the Direct Iron Reduction plant represents the completed construction of the complex, which can produce 200,000 tons of rebar and wire rod per year, with the goal of replacing 50% of imports of these products.