thyssenkrupp’s steel division has awarded contracts for the construction of a ladle furnace in Duisburg. The new furnace will allow the steelmaker to expand its product portfolio to include high-alloy grades. Demand for these special steels is rising, especially from the automotive industry. “This step will enable us to offer innovative new steel grades and thus substantially and sustainably improve our competitive position,” says Andreas Goss, CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. Around 40 million euros will be invested in the project at BOF melt shop 2 in Duisburg-Beeckerwerth. “Given the uncertainties surrounding the steel sector, the decision to build the ladle furnace was not made lightly,” says Goss. “But at the same time we want to send out a positive signal about the future of the German steel industry and our site.”

Contracts awarded – start of construction planned for fall 2017

In the steel production process, a ladle furnace is located between the converter and the continuous caster and is used for secondary metallurgy. The new twin ladle furnace in Duisburg will have a capacity of 265 metric tons per treatment. Its main task will be to heat the melt, which will improve the energy efficiency of the production process and reduce operating costs. In addition to the ladle furnace, this project will also include the construction of dedusting and alloying systems in melt shop 2. Alongside the technical innovations, the new unit will be completely encased in soundproofing panels to reduce noise levels and thus enhance working conditions. Start of construction is planned for fall 2017. The ladle furnace will be used to treat high-alloy steel grades with an alloy content (e.g. manganese) of more than five percent. The unit will make it possible to optimize cleanness levels and thus improve quality. It will also allow the development and production of innovative high-tech materials such as high-strength, highly durable steel grades for lightweight automotive construction.