Outokumpu Stainless USA has placed an order with Primetals Technologies for a 180-ton twin ladle furnace to be installed at its stainless steel facility in Calvert, Alabama.
The new furnace will replace a ladle treatment stand that has been in operation since 2012, aiming to enhance temperature control, boost operational flexibility, and lower the plant’s carbon emissions.
This upgrade will support the electric arc furnace (EAF) and argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) processes by introducing additional electrical heating capacity after the AOD converter. Primetals noted that the installation will make use of the existing plant layout and foundations to streamline implementation.
The project scope covers mechanical components, automation systems, electrode control technology, and power systems, all designed to improve process stability, productivity, and energy efficiency.
Outokumpu’s Calvert facility features a 160-ton EAF and produces stainless steel using up to 100pct recycled scrap, positioning it among the most advanced stainless steel mills in the United States. The two companies have previously collaborated on the plant’s design and commissioning, which began operations in 2013.
Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, operates the Tornio plant with an annual melting and hot-rolling capacity of 1.65 mln tons and cold-rolling capacity of 1.2 mln tons. The company also runs an extensive network of production facilities across Europe and the Americas.