Tata Steel has reached a significant milestone by signing a contract with a leading metals technology manufacturer for the delivery of a cutting-edge electric arc furnace (EAF) and advanced steelmaking equipment at its largest UK site. The company’s partnership with Tenova is a crucial step towards producing greener steel in Port Talbot, South Wales. Notably, the EAF will supplant traditional blast furnaces that have been decommissioned, resulting in the loss of numerous jobs.
Expected to be operational from late 2027, the EAF is set to slash the site’s carbon emissions from steelmaking by an impressive 90%, equivalent to a reduction of five million tonnes of CO2 annually. With an annual capacity of three million tonnes of steel, the EAF will mimic the production output of the site’s former blast furnaces, utilizing scrap steel sourced locally.
Mr. T V Narendran, Tata Steel’s chief executive, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, indicating its role in reshaping the steelmaking landscape in Port Talbot and supporting the UK’s decarbonisation mission. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds commended the partnership as reflective of the government’s dedication to bolstering the future of UK steelmaking.
Paolo Argenta, Tenova’s executive vice President for the Upstream Business Unit, conveyed confidence in the collaborative effort with Tata Steel UK, underscoring the potential for successful project implementation. The partnership signifies a step forward in transitioning to low-CO2 steelmaking practices in Port Talbot, benefiting the region’s economy and contributing to the reduction of the country’s carbon footprint.