ISG ING Groep NV

International Steel Group to Restart 110-Inch Plate Mill at Burns Harbor, Indiana Plant RICHFIELD, Ohio, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to increasing customer needs, International Steel Group Inc. (NYSE:ISG) today announced plans to restart its idled 110-inch plate mill located at the company's Burns Harbor facility in Burns Harbor, Indiana. The mill is expected to begin production early in the second quarter of 2005 and to employ an additional 80 employees at the Burns Harbor facility, ISG's largest plant. "Restarting our 110-inch plate mill is another exciting advancement in the growth of our business," said Rodney B. Mott, president and chief executive officer. "Our decision to return this mill to operation is driven by increasing customer demand and our desire to quickly respond to the needs of our valued customers. This restart will provide ISG additional flexibility to better meet our customers' growth and project opportunities." The 110-inch plate mill, one of the most modern in North America, is capable of producing carbon, high-strength low-alloy and alloy plate. Markets for these products represent a wide range of industries, including rail, construction, shipbuilding, oil and gas exploration and production, and machinery, all of which are currently served by ISG. The ISG Plate Division also is a major supplier of armored plate products that are used to protect the U.S. Armed Forces serving in Iraq and elsewhere. "The restart of the 110-inch plate mill, while offering long-term suitable employment to our members, is very positive news for our employees and our customers, as well," said Paul Gipson, president, USWA Local Union 6787. "For more than a decade, the domestic plate industry has been fragmented in a weak market. The continuing consolidation of the steel industry has led to a more stable environment for the operation of this mill. The start-up of this modern facility further validates the successful partnership forged between the USWA and ISG. Our combined efforts will undoubtedly contribute to the tremendous success of this facility." The Burns Harbor plant employs approximately 3,700 persons. It is one of five fully integrated raw steel-making facilities owned and operated by ISG. The plant is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana, approximately 45 miles east of Chicago, Ill. About International Steel Group Inc. International Steel Group Inc. is one of the largest steel producers in North America. It produces a variety of steel products including hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets, tin mill products, carbon and alloy plates, rail products and semi-finished shapes to serve the automotive, construction, pipe and tube, appliance, container and machinery markets. For additional information on ISG, visit http://www.intlsteel.com/ . Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this release that are not historical facts, including statements accompanied by words such as "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," or similar terms, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These statements contain time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis only as of the date of this release. ISG does not undertake any ongoing obligation, other than that imposed by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Factors that may cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, negative overall economic conditions or conditions in the markets served; competition within the steel industry; changes in U.S. or foreign trade policy affecting steel imports or exports; changes in foreign currencies affecting the strength of the U.S. dollar; actions by domestic and foreign competitors; the inability to achieve the Company's anticipated growth objectives; changes in availability or cost of raw materials, energy or other supplies; labor issues affecting the Company's workforce or the steel industry generally; and the inability to implement the Company's operating culture and philosophy at acquired facilities. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements can be found in ISG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: International Steel Group Inc. CONTACT: Investor Relations, Blaise Derrico, Manager, Investor Relations, +1-330-659-7430, or Media, Charles T. Glazer, Manager, Communications and Public Relations, +1-330-659-9121, both of International Steel Group Inc. Web site: http://www.intlsteel.com/

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