Tenova, a leading developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, is proud to announce a significant milestone for Nucor Steel Louisiana, USA. In August 2024, the ENERGIRON Direct Reduction (DR) plant of the steelmaker achieved the world production record of 330.3 tons per hour (tph) of Cold Direct Reduced Iron (CDRI), yielding an outstanding 7,928 tons per day (tpd). This accomplishment is complemented by a high-quality direct reduced iron (DRI) output with 95 % metallization (%M) and a carbon content of 3.3 % (%C), showcasing Nucor’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the steel industry.
The 2.5 million tons per year DR Plant, based on the innovative ENERGIRON technology, jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli, has set a new standard by not only reaching unprecedented production levels but also maintaining exceptional operational reliability. It achieved over 98 % operational reliability and 97.50 % availability in 2024, underscoring the collaborative efforts between Tenova and Nucor.
“The most important factor that helped Nucor Steel Louisiana reach a world record production rate is our team and our culture. Each member of our team has played a crucial role in this achievement. It is their commitment and passion that has made achieving this record possible. When you can be inclusive and harness the collective efforts of individuals, there are no challenges that we cannot overcome. Here’s to our team and this remarkable achievement and to many more milestones ahead!” commented Calvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Louisiana.
“We are thrilled to recognize this remarkable achievement in our ENERGIRON Direct Reduction Plant,” said Stefano Maggiolino, Tenova HYL President & CEO. “This record is a testament to the continuous pursuit of operational excellence and our innovation in cutting-edge technology that enhances our Direct Reduction Plants’ production capabilities while reducing the environmental footprint.”
