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greentec steel: Landmark melting at voestalpine site Donawitz - World's first high-quality "green" wire rod produced from hydrogen-reduced pure iron and scrap
voestalpine has produced the world's first high-quality "green" wire rod from hydrogen-reduced pure iron and scrap at its Donawitz site. The hydrogen-reduced pure iron was produced in the Hyfor pilot plant, while the landmark melting was carried out in the Group's own Technikum Metallurgie (TechMet) research facility, a unique complete steel plant in miniature.
The CO2- reduced-steel is further processed in the wire rod mill into roller-bearing steel, which is characterized by its particular hardness and wear resistance. The production of high-quality, CO2-reduced steel grades is one of the greatest technological challenges in the transition to green steel production. With greentec steel, voestalpine has developed an ambitious step-by-step plan to make its contribution to achieving the climate targets.
From 2027, our greentec steel design will be available for your demanding applications. We invite you to accompany us on this journey. Here, in the midst of innovation and passion, a new era begins: the era of premium wire solutions based on greentec steel. It's not just wire. It's not just steel. It's a commitment to a sustainable future - Where premium quality meets eco-friendly excellence 2027. Work with us to develop premium wire solutions with a reduced carbon footprint.
We have already made a successful start on our path to green steel production and are advancing quickly with construction of the two arc furnaces powered by green electricity in Linz and Donawitz. Parallel to this, we are researching various breakthrough technologies with partners from industry and science. The first-ever melting of hydrogen-reduced pure iron and its further processing into high-quality wire rod is a historic milestone.
Hyfor is a joint research project of Primetals Technologies, voestalpine, Montanuniversität Leoben and K1-MET with the aim of investigating the reduction of fine iron ore using hydrogen. The resulting hot sponge iron could in future be melted down in an electric arc furnace or used to produce hot briquetted sponge iron (HBI).
At the Technikum Metallurgie, voestalpine is researching the production of new high-performance steels, which are further processed into special rails, high-quality wire rod and heavy-duty oil field pipes. Product development is carried out using a CO2-reduced route: the primary material is melted using electricity from renewable energy sources.
The Technikum Metallurgie provides us with an ideal test environment to quickly adapt our steels to the needs of our customers and to changed market requirements. I am very pleased that we are now also doing pioneering work in green steel production and would like to thank all the researchers and employees for their commitment.
WHERE PREMIUM QUALITY MEETS ECO-FRIENDLY EXCELLENCE 2027
Develop with us, test with us, increase your cost efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint - thanks to premium wire solutions that enable fewer process steps and optimized processing times. From 2027, our greentec steel will set new standards. Join us on this journey and let us develop customized solutions for you together.
