Process lab of the future: greentec steel creates the foundation for a fully automated hybrid steelmaking plant
Construction site cleared: Construction on the new lab can begin
Following intensive detailed planning, efficient construction site clearance that was completed in April 2024 and successful governmental approvals, construction work can begin on 21 October 2024 on the extension of the BG02 building. Careful preparation—including relocation of process gases, cooling water and control cables—ensured that ongoing lab operations were able to continue seamlessly. An additional challenge: The conversion was implemented in a precisely timed manner during two planned downtimes of the LD3 systems.
Innovative design for maximum precision
In contrast to the extension of 2004, which was a steel structure, the new laboratory is being constructed in solid reinforced concrete design. From mid-February 2025, wall pillars and hollow walls for the upper floor will be erected before the precast concrete girders can be installed. Completion of the shell by April 2025 will place the goal within reach: a state-of-the-art lab that meets the highest requirements.
Future prospects: production without compromises
The new process analysis will not only supply the existing LD3 and blast furnace plants with decisive analyses, but will also ensure the connection to the new EAF1 and HBI supply systems. The final milestone will be the integration of the SekMet5 system in April 2027.
Conclusion: an important milestone for green steel production
With the construction of the new process lab, greentec steel is setting an important milestone for the green future of steel production. The fully automated plant will not only increase efficiency, but will also lay the foundation for more sustainable production. This project is a prime example of how innovation, high precision and teamwork can shape 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 nearly 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.