Celsa Steel UK adds shredding plant in Wales

The Spain-based Celsa Group, which has a recycled-content electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill in Wales, has started operating a new shredding plant.

An early-July LinkedIn post from Celsa Steel UK states, “This cutting-edge shredder with advanced magnetic separation technology is now operational. Capable of processing up to 300,000 metric tons annually, it significantly boosts our recycling capabilities and operational efficiency.”

The plant as being equipped with a 3-megawatt motor that allows for input capacity of 130 metric tons per hour, and the new recycling machinery is located near Celsa's EAF mill in Cardiff, Wales, which it says will help minimize CO₂ emissions and reduce transportation needs.

Celsa does not mention any vendors by name but writes, “This project wouldn't have been possible without the incredible teamwork and dedication of over 20 equipment suppliers, 15 contractors and countless individuals who contributed 48,000 man-hours.”

The shredder provided offers enhanced quality and yield and produces a finished product density of 1.0 tons per cubic meter with a remarkable ferrous yield of over 95 percent, according to the firm.

“This milestone brings us one step closer to our sustainability goals and reinforces our position as a leader of circular steel," Celsa says.

The investment comes at a time when another steelmaker in the U.K., Liberty Steel, reportedly is struggling to operate and both of its blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace mills are ramping down to prepare for EAF conversion projects. Celsa itself went through a financial reorganization and takeover by creditors last year.