ArcelorMittal to lay off 400 workers in Indiana

PITTSBURGH: Steel producer ArcelorMittal SA plans to idle a plant in Indiana and lay off about 400 workers because the global economic downturn has weakened demand for the metal.

The world's largest steel maker says it will suspend operations indefinitely at the Indiana Harbor Long Carbon facility in East Chicago. The plant is part of a larger facility that employs about 5,000 union workers.

Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal has notified workers of layoffs effective in about 60 days.

The world economic crisis has hurt steel makers badly as buyers slash spending. ArcelorMittal said last week it would continue to freeze production while demand remains low for the metal used in everything from cars to buildings.