Thai Nguyen Iron & Steel Co (Tisco) (a subsidiary company of Vietnam Steel Corporation) is building a 500,000 tpy billet to add to its existing capacity of 250,000 tpy. The expansion includes building a blast furnace, a basic oxygen converter and a billet casting machine. Construction will commence in October and be completed by the end of 2009 or early 2010. It is reported that production will begin immediately after the completion of construction.