Voestalpine is making progress with the installation of a new electric arc furnace (EAF) unit at its Donawitz steelworks, with the two furnaces forming the core of the company’s future production line.
The new unit will comprise two electric arc furnaces, EAF 1 and EAF 2, supporting more resource-efficient steel production. The main furnace components, including the lower and upper vessels and furnace covers, have been installed, while assembly of the rotating towers, lifting cylinders and electrode arms has also been completed.
The EAFs will use graphite electrodes to generate an electric arc and melt the feedstock. The main raw materials will include steel scrap and hot briquetted iron (HBI), with alloying elements and other additives such as lime, dolomite and carbon added depending on the required steel grade.
Work is also progressing on scrap transfer cars, which will transport scrap from the scrap yard to the EAF unit. Scrap baskets have been assembled and positioned on the transfer cars, while an underground conveyor system will transport the baskets to the furnace hall once the plant is operational.
Headquartered in Austria, Voestalpine is a global steel and technology group operating around 500 companies and locations in more than 50 countries. The company supplies high-value steel products and engineered solutions to the automotive, commercial vehicle, railway, aerospace, energy and machinery sectors.