ISG ING Groep NV

International Steel Group Announces Long-term Agreements for 2 Million Tons of New Coke Supply RICHFIELD, Ohio, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Steel Group Inc. (NYSE:ISG) today announced important steps in the implementation of its coke supply strategy. - ISG and Sun Coke Company signed a letter of intent to double supply from Sun Coke's Haverhill facility to 1.1 million tons of coke per year commencing 2006 - ISG and DTE Energy Services consummate agreement to supply almost 1 million tons of coke per year commencing 2005 Sun Coke Agreement: The Company has signed a letter of intent for a 15- year supply agreement with Sun Coke Company, a subsidiary of Sunoco. Sun Coke will expand the capacity of its Haverhill, Ohio facility which is currently under construction and scheduled to begin supplying ISG in the first quarter of 2005. Under terms of the agreement Sun will double the plant's originally planned 0.55 million tons-per-year capacity. Beginning in the first quarter of 2006, Sun will supply 1.1 million tons of coke to ISG from the expanded Haverhill facility. The agreement is contingent on execution of related transportation agreements, granting of certain local and state incentives, permits from various agencies and approval by both companies' boards of directors. "ISG has formed a strong partnership with Sun Coke because of Sun Coke's combination of non-recovery technology and operational capabilities. The high quality of non-recovery coke complements ISG's total coke requirements and furnace productivity demands," said Rodney B. Mott, ISG's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our relationship with Sun Coke, as well as the other steps we are taking to advance our coke supply strategy, will help to ensure that we have long-term, high-quality coke supplies and will reduce the impact of market volatility on our costs," Mott added. DTE Energy Services Coke Supply Agreement: ISG also announced a 10-year coke supply arrangement with EES Coke Battery, LLC (a subsidiary of DTE Energy Services). Approximately 0.7 million tons of coke will be supplied beginning in 2005, and almost 1 million tons, the total plant output, will be supplied by EES thereafter. The plant is located in River Rouge, Michigan. DTE Energy Services also supplies ISG coal injection at Sparrows Point, Maryland and owns and operates one of two coke batteries located at ISG's Burns Harbor, Indiana steel works. "The completion of these agreements provides us with substantial progress toward our goal of fulfilling almost all of our coke needs through ISG-owned resources and under long-term contract supply agreements. We are also continuing to evaluate additional coke production and supply options. We believe our coke supply strategy will provide the right balance of flexibility and control over our raw material supplies," Mott noted. 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 Prospectus filed on December 12, 2003, and in the Company's subsequent periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: International Steel Group Inc. CONTACT: Leonard M. Anthony, Chief Financial Officer of International Steel Group Inc., +1-330-659-9100 Web site: http://www.intlsteel.com/

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