Once completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 tons of reinforcing steel per year, and aims to meet Queensland's growing demand for construction steel by using 100% local scrap. The project is also the first of its kind in Australia: Wire rod, hot rolled wire mesh, spooled coil and bar products will all be shipped directly from one integrated facility. This means less handling, faster delivery and operational efficiencies in the production process.
Grant Johnston, Managing Director of Alter Steel, noted that a long and rigorous evaluation process was undertaken in selecting the plant's technological infrastructure. “We looked for a solution that was commercially scalable, proven and capable of meeting Australia's long-term production needs. Danieli's system met these expectations,” he stated.
For more than 18 months, the company has been studying advanced steelmaking technologies around the world and evaluating many companies, particularly original equipment manufacturers, in detail. For the last six months, Alter has been working intensively with Danieli on engineering studies, site preparations and basic infrastructure connections.
Alter preferred Danieli's MIDA QLP system with Digimelter technology. The Mi.Da line, which stands out with its compact structure, high energy efficiency and system history successfully implemented in 27 different plants around the world, provides energy savings of up to 75% compared to traditional methods. Eliminating intermediate steps such as billet heating and cold storage, the system can turn scrap into final products in just two hours.
Designed to run entirely on renewable energy, the plant will emit only 0.37 tons of CO₂ per ton. This means 80% lower emissions compared to conventional blast furnace technologies.
The project in Pinkenba is the first greenfield steelmaking plant to be built from scratch in Australia in 40 years. Production is expected to start by the end of 2027.
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