Zunyi Changling Special Steel has successfully produced the first heat from its new Danieli Zerobucket electric arc furnace (EAF), marking a key milestone for both the steelmaker and Danieli. The furnace, capable of tapping 100 tons of liquid steel, represents the latest generation of Danieli’s continuous-charging Zerobucket technology. Contracted in mid-2023, the project was completed on schedule, with a smooth hot start-up reflecting strong cooperation between the two teams.
Designed for 100pct scrap charging, the new EAF allows flexible and cost-efficient steel production. It targets a tap-to-tap time of around 30 minutes, supported by a continuous feeding system that eliminates conventional scrap buckets and the associated delays and mechanical stress. This approach enables a more stable melting process, reduces structural wear, and improves overall productivity.
China remains a key market for Danieli. Since 2018, the company has secured 31 Zerobucket EAF references in the country, either operating or nearing start-up, highlighting strong demand from Chinese steelmakers for the technology.
As Changling ramps up operations, the new furnace is expected to improve energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and enhance environmental performance, strengthening the company’s production capabilities while reinforcing Danieli’s position in advanced EAF technologies.
Zunyi Changling Special Steel Co., Ltd. is a major high-performance steel producer based in the Pingqiao Industrial Park of Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China. The company produces high-quality bars for structural applications, H-beams for specialized engineering and high-performance alloys for heavy machinery and industrial components.
