Synopsisvoestalpine Group's ambitious greentec steel project aims to revolutionize steel production in Austria. By adopting electric arc furnace technology, the company plans to reduce emissions by 30%, equivalent to annual savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO₂. This groundbreaking initiative represents a substantial €1.5 billion investment and heralds the start of construction at the Donawitz site, promising economic benefits for the region. The shift to electric arc technology will significantly reduce local CO₂ emissions, making it Austria's largest climate protection program.Article:In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable steel production, the voestalpine Group is embarking on an ambitious journey with its greentec steel project. This phased plan for green steel production is set to reshape the steel industry in Austria and contribute to global climate protection efforts.The first phase of greentec steel involves the construction of electric arc furnaces at the Linz and Donawitz sites. This strategic shift in technology is expected to yield a remarkable reduction of around 30% in emissions, equivalent to annual savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO₂. The substantial investment for this endeavor amounts to approximately €1.5 billion, reflecting the commitment to sustainable steel production.The Donawitz site, which plays a pivotal role in this transformation, will witness the construction of an EAF starting in 2024. Three years later, this EAF will become operational, producing approximately 850,000 tons of CO₂-reduced steel annually. What sets this technology apart is its ability to operate without fossil fuels, relying instead on scrap, liquid pig iron, and hot briquetted iron (HBI) to meet specific quality requirements.Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG, emphasizes the significance of this shift, stating, "Today, we launch the next generation of steel production. The partial conversion to electric arc technology at our two sites in Linz and Donawitz alone allows us to reduce local CO₂ emissions by around 5% from 2027. That makes greentec steel Austria's largest climate protection program."The preparations for construction at the Donawitz site are already underway, with the demolition of existing facilities, including the old continuous casting plant and rail track. The dimensions of the greentec steel project are monumental, covering areas roughly equivalent to 10 football pitches. Approximately 100,000 cubic meters of earth will need to be moved as part of this transformative initiative.Italian plant engineers Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche. have been entrusted with the responsibility of engineering, producing, and commissioning the EAFs, utilizing DIGIMELTER Technology.A crucial aspect of transitioning to electric arc technology is ensuring a stable supply of green electricity at competitive prices. voestalpine is taking steps to secure power supplies through contracts with local energy providers and expanding its renewable energy generation capacity, including photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, hydraulic power generators, and additional photovoltaic installations in collaboration with regional partners.The economic impact of constructing electric arc furnaces at both the Donawitz and Linz sites is substantial, as revealed by an Industrial Science Institute (IWI) study conducted in September 2023. The investments are expected to generate value amounting to €767 million in Austria during the construction phase alone. This includes products and services directly and indirectly linked to and triggered by the investment. Furthermore, approximately 9,000 jobs will be secured in Austria during the construction period.The investment in Donawitz, totaling around €450 million, is projected to create Austria-wide added value of €R 237 million, with up to EUR 158 million contributing to Styria's economic growth. Notably, this investment will secure approximately 2,800 jobs in Austria during the construction phase, with 1,700 of them located in Styria.Conclusion:voestalpine's greentec steel project represents a pioneering endeavor in Austria's steel industry, aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing sustainability, and boosting economic growth. The adoption of electric arc furnace technology promises to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, making it Austria's largest climate protection program. This transformative initiative not only marks a historic milestone in steel production but also holds the potential to reshape the industry while generating substantial economic benefits for the region and securing thousands of jobs during the construction phase.
Synopsisvoestalpine Group's ambitious greentec steel project aims to revolutionize steel production in Austria. By adopting electric arc furnace technology, the company plans to reduce emissions by 30%, equivalent to annual savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO₂. This groundbreaking initiative represents a substantial €1.5 billion investment and heralds the start of construction at the Donawitz site, promising economic benefits for the region. The shift to electric arc technology will significantly reduce local CO₂ emissions, making it Austria's largest climate protection program.Article:In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable steel production, the voestalpine Group is embarking on an ambitious journey with its greentec steel project. This phased plan for green steel production is set to reshape the steel industry in Austria and contribute to global climate protection efforts.The first phase of greentec steel involves the construction of electric arc furnaces at the Linz and Donawitz sites. This strategic shift in technology is expected to yield a remarkable reduction of around 30% in emissions, equivalent to annual savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO₂. The substantial investment for this endeavor amounts to approximately €1.5 billion, reflecting the commitment to sustainable steel production.The Donawitz site, which plays a pivotal role in this transformation, will witness the construction of an EAF starting in 2024. Three years later, this EAF will become operational, producing approximately 850,000 tons of CO₂-reduced steel annually. What sets this technology apart is its ability to operate without fossil fuels, relying instead on scrap, liquid pig iron, and hot briquetted iron (HBI) to meet specific quality requirements.Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG, emphasizes the significance of this shift, stating, "Today, we launch the next generation of steel production. The partial conversion to electric arc technology at our two sites in Linz and Donawitz alone allows us to reduce local CO₂ emissions by around 5% from 2027. That makes greentec steel Austria's largest climate protection program."The preparations for construction at the Donawitz site are already underway, with the demolition of existing facilities, including the old continuous casting plant and rail track. The dimensions of the greentec steel project are monumental, covering areas roughly equivalent to 10 football pitches. Approximately 100,000 cubic meters of earth will need to be moved as part of this transformative initiative.Italian plant engineers Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche. have been entrusted with the responsibility of engineering, producing, and commissioning the EAFs, utilizing DIGIMELTER Technology.A crucial aspect of transitioning to electric arc technology is ensuring a stable supply of green electricity at competitive prices. voestalpine is taking steps to secure power supplies through contracts with local energy providers and expanding its renewable energy generation capacity, including photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, hydraulic power generators, and additional photovoltaic installations in collaboration with regional partners.The economic impact of constructing electric arc furnaces at both the Donawitz and Linz sites is substantial, as revealed by an Industrial Science Institute (IWI) study conducted in September 2023. The investments are expected to generate value amounting to €767 million in Austria during the construction phase alone. This includes products and services directly and indirectly linked to and triggered by the investment. Furthermore, approximately 9,000 jobs will be secured in Austria during the construction period.The investment in Donawitz, totaling around €450 million, is projected to create Austria-wide added value of €R 237 million, with up to EUR 158 million contributing to Styria's economic growth. Notably, this investment will secure approximately 2,800 jobs in Austria during the construction phase, with 1,700 of them located in Styria.Conclusion:voestalpine's greentec steel project represents a pioneering endeavor in Austria's steel industry, aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing sustainability, and boosting economic growth. The adoption of electric arc furnace technology promises to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, making it Austria's largest climate protection program. This transformative initiative not only marks a historic milestone in steel production but also holds the potential to reshape the industry while generating substantial economic benefits for the region and securing thousands of jobs during the construction phase.
