ThyssenKrupp is continuing to build carbon and stainless steelmaking and processing facilities in the US, but is responding to the changed economic conditions by stretching out construction. ThyssenKrupp has been planning the US carbon and stainless mill complex since 2006. ThyssenKrupp admits in its 2008-2009 fiscal year financial report that it has cancelled or postponed numerous modernization and capacity expansion projects worldwide – but not the ones in the Americas. According to the company, construction of the new steelmaking and processing plant near Mobile, Alabama, is largely on schedule and production will start in the second quarter of 2010. Still, capacities are being ramped up over an extended period and are being flexibly adapted to steel demand. So, until the second quarter of 2011, the slabs to be processed will come from Germany. A flexible approach is also being taken to the startup of the new US stainless steel mill, also in Mobile, expected to begin production in October 2010. The plant will open with a reduced annual cold-rolling capacity of around 110,231 net tons. The other processing units for stainless steel products will be started up over an extended period, and the melt shop, which was planned for early 2012, can now be delayed by up to 24 months.