ArcelorMittal to replace blast furnace with electric arc furnace at its plant in Spain

ArcelorMittal Corporation has signed a contract with Spanish industrial equipment manufacturer Sarralle Group to build a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Gijon facility in northern Spain.

With a capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per year, the EAF is expected to replace one of the operating blast furnaces and significantly reduce specific carbon dioxide emissions. Construction work is expected to start in early 2024. The new equipment is planned to be put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The facility in Gijon is part of the ArcelorMittal Spain Long Products division, which produces long products. However, the new furnace will melt steel to produce not only reinforcement and wire rod, but also rails. As the company notes, a low carbon footprint is becoming the most important criterion when receiving government orders in Spain.

According to Sarralle, the new furnace will also be equipped with heat exchangers and a dust collection system to increase energy efficiency.