September 15, 1971
Ing. Jose Louis Montemayor Supte. De Producction Hylsa De Mexico, S. A. Xoxtla, Pue.
Dear Jose:
This is a personal note of appreciation to thank you for courtesies extended in visiting the Hylsa Steel Mill in Puebla. This is the first time that either Mr. Douglas or I have gone through a plant employing a direct reduction steel making process. It was my first for a sponge iron plant. It goes without saying that this visit, together with your briefing and description of economics has proved very helpful. Obviously, there is a growing need for such a plant, assuming of course the raw materials, including low cost natural gas, are readily available.
We were first attracted to the HyL process through joining in a multi-client research study conducted by Battelle Institute. The papers on direct reduction contained in this report was written by Hal Lownie, Jr., who I believe you know.
An excellent description of the process is provided in this Battelle study; in part from a paper presented in 1970 by Gearhart & Jackson before the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers.
By coincidence I had a telephone call this morning from Mr. Ray Litton, an Engineer with Swindell-Dressler in Pittsburgh. Apparently Mr. Litton learned of our visit through your company. In any event he has agreed to send me a copy of a paper presented earlier this year on the HyL process, which of course I am looking forward to receiving.
Hugh Douglas and I both thank you sincerely for a most pleasant day. I am looking forward to coming to Mexico again and seeing more of Puebla including historic sights. At that time I shall, of course, call you.
Yours sincerely,
Weston Bourret Vice President
WB:co
