Salzgitter AG's blast furnace A was fired up again after a successful, complete modernization that took just over 100 days. This new lining marks an important operational step; the Salzgitter Group is thus securing the pig iron base for the gradual transformation to low-CO2 steel production.
“This new approach gives us, our customers and partners the security we need to continue consistently driving forward the transformation of steel production. “Starting from a solid pig iron base, we will carry out the further steps of SALCOS® - Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking,” says Ulrich Grethe, CEO of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH.
Blast furnace A underwent a comprehensive overhaul during the construction phase and, as the steel industry says, was relined. The refractory lining was renewed with 3,000 tons of carbon bricks and other refractory materials. In addition, the complex process and control technology was modernized. More than 100 million euros were invested in this new installation, with Pirson Montage AG acting as a key partner.
“We would like to thank all of our company’s employees and partner companies for their commitment. Such an extremely complex project can only succeed with the cooperative interaction of many committed experts. “We have therefore made blast furnace A fit for its final production cycle,” explains Gerd Baresch, Managing Director of Technology at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH.
Blast furnace A has been in operation since 1977 and has been relined several times since then. With an annual capacity of around 2 million tonnes of pig iron, it plays a crucial role in the production structure.
