The state-of-the-art production line is a major component in a joint agreement between Tata Steel and the UK government that lays out a decarbonization pathway for steelmaking in the UK.
Tata Steel UK, a subsidiary of the global Tata Steel group, has kicked off an ambitious project to transform its Port Talbot steelworks as part of a joint agreement with the UK government to transition to sustainable steelmaking. This is the largest investment in the UK steel industry for decades. The new production line will replace the existing blast furnaces, significantly reducing the site’s carbon emissions while maintaining high-quality flat steel production. The project is the first major step towards the decarbonization of the local steel industry and is projected to reduce direct carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes over a decade.
The core of the new production line is Tenova’s Electric Arc Furnace equipped with its Consteel® Continuous Charging System and Electromagnetic Stirring System (EMS), which enables a productivity of 450 tonnes/hour. The supply also includes two ladle furnaces of the same capacity, a fume treatment plant, and a material handling system. Additionally, Tenova will provide an extensive engineering and assistance package to support Tata Steel UK throughout the construction and startup phases of the entire new production line.
EAF
The new EAF-based equipment is designed to seamlessly integrate into the existing downstream facilities, including the continuous casting plant while upgrading production capabilities and environmental performance. It will be installed in the buildings currently housing the BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) converters, which will be removed.
Tenova has been selected for this project thanks to its proven track record in delivering high-productivity EAF solutions globally, supported by results achieved in similar applications worldwide. Mr T V Narendran, CEO and MD of Tata Steel Limited, said: “Today marks an important milestone in making low-CO₂ steelmaking a reality in Port Talbot as well as reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and supporting our customers with their own carbon reduction targets.”
“We have been working with Tata Steel UK since spring 2022 building a solid technical and personal relationship. We are very proud to become part of the Port Talbot steelmaking history and contribute to a project so important to Tata Steel group and the local communities,” said Paolo Argenta, EVP for the Tenova Upstream Business Unit.
Paolo Stagnoli, Sales and Marketing Director EAF&LF at Tenova, added “Tenova’s expertise in mega-EAFs, developed over the past ten years, combined with Tata Steel UK’s operational knowledge, has served as the foundation for developing such a project: a single EAF melt shop producing 450 tons/hour of liquid metal. We consider this project state-of-the-art in the transition from the integrated route to electric steelmaking”.
