Tata Steel chooses EAF technology in the Netherlands

The Tata Steel Nederland business unit of India-based Tata Steel has selected a lead technology provider to help enact the Green Steel Plan at its IJmuiden integrated steelmaking complex in Velsen-Noord, Netherlands.

According to the steel producer, by 2030 it plans to have replaced its largest blast furnace on the site with an electric arc furnace (EAF) production line that will help it reduce its CO₂ emissions at the site by about 40 percent.

Although, according Italy-based technology vendor Tenova S.p.A., Castellanza, the project involves the installation of a direct-reduced iron (DRI) plant, it also will result in greater steel recycling volumes.

“From 2030 onwards, we will increase the use of scrap from 17 percent to 30 percent,” Tata Steel Nederland says.

Tata Steel Nederland is one of the largest steel producers in Europe, and Luxembourg-based steel distributors association Eurometal lists the complex as having an annual capacity of 7.5 million metric tons of crude steel.

The Italian technology vendor says the Tata Steel Nederland project will involve the replacement of “the largest blast furnace on the site (BF7) and one of the coke-making plants (KGF2)” with Tenova DRI and EAF equipment.

“The overall contract will include engineering, supply and advisory services for a 3 million-tons [-per-year] electric arc furnace,” Tenova says.

Danieli & C. S.p.A., also based in Italy, and Switzerland-based global engineering firm ABB also reportedly are involved in the project.

“The demand for steel continues to grow, with an increasing need for recycled and sustainably produced steel,” says Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland. “Due to our location on the North Sea, we are in one of the best locations to make the transition to a more responsible steel production—clean, green and more circular, and we are working hard to realize that ambition.”

In addition to the DRI and EAF equipment, Tenova lists continuous casting, electromagnetic stirring and secondary metallurgy equipment such as ladle furnaces and  vacuum degassers as part of the Green Steel Plan project.

Also included will be “innovative technologies aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of the new plant," including an innovative fumes treatment plant, a waste energy recovery system and a dry slag granulation unit.

Tenova says the retrofit has as a mandate from Tata Steel Nederland that it is required to refine the liquid metal from the EAF to the quality needed to meet current operational specifications (high-quality steel for the automotive sector).

“Tenova's strategy of focusing on cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies is paying off with customers like Tata Steel Nederland who are aligned with our priorities," says Paolo Argenta, executive vice president at Tenova.