New challenges for green steel: finishing Secondary Metallurgy 5 soon ready for production
Initial situation: More nitrogen and sulfur
The switch to the EAF route has a direct impact on the composition of the melts. Higher levels of nitrogen and sulfur present new challenges in secondary metallurgy. In order to maintain the usual steel quality, refining processes must be adapted and expanded. This leads to longer treatment times in the ladle furnaces and RH vacuum systems so that we can continue to meet the high quality requirements. Even steel grades that previously did not require vacuum treatment are now undergoing this step.
The solution: Secondary metallurgy 5
In order to meet the increasing demand in processing capacities, SekMet 5 is being built in addition to the electric steelmaking facility. To the east of the steelmaking plant, it consists of a modern ladle furnace, a high-performance RH degassing system and a conditioning stand. The new facilities will be complete with surrounding supply systems to ensure smooth operation.
The challenge of finding enough space: Working together on efficient implementation
Secondary Metallurgy 5 is a special challenge in that space is limited. The project team must work closely with their colleagues who are assigned to the EAF project because the construction sites are directly adjacent to each other. Close cooperation between all team members is essential in order to efficiently coordinate all the interfaces and avoid any hindrance to the progress of construction.
Initial steps and milestones on the path to completion
Construction work is already in full swing, and the foundations of the new hall are already being poured. An important milestone for the project team will be the installation of the 270-ton battery of hoppers for the alloying materials in the summer of 2025. This step will take place before the building roof is closed and will be an important step in the completion of SekMet 5.
Conclusion: An important step into the future of steel production
The introduction of Secondary Metallurgy 5 is a crucial step in meeting the increasing demands of the EAF route and ensuring the highest quality in steel production. The use of modern technologies and efficient cooperation between the project teams are the foundation for successful implementation. The new processes will sustainably improve quality and efficiency in steel production, another milestone on our path to steelmaking of the future.
Go to greentec steel
The greentec steel project of voestalpine is an ambitious step-by-step plan that makes a valuable contribution to the achievement of the climate goals. As a first step, the voestalpine Group plans to replace two blast furnaces with two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) by the year 2027. The investment volume amounts to roughly 1.5 billion euros.
Carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 30% as early as 2029 by making this switch from the blast furnace to the EAF. This corresponds to a savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO2 per year, amounting to almost 5% of the carbon emissions in Austria. This makes greentec steel the largest climate protection program in Austria.
The two electric-arc furnaces will enable voestalpine to produce roughly 2.5 million tons of carbon-reduced steel by the year 2027, roughly 1.6 million tons in Linz and 850,000 tons in Donawitz.
Learn more about greentec steel here.