ArcelorMittal is implementing the decarbonisation project initial phase at its Luxembourg long products facility in Differdange.
It has successfully relocated the black slag pits from their previous position on the outskirts of the site, which was in close proximity to the neighbourhood. A previously unused hall has been transformed into a space to receive the liquid slag in close proximity to the electric arc furnace.
Modifications were made to the facility without interrupting production. This included expanding the storage space and pits inside the hall, as well as installing cladding to insulate the building from the outside. The steelmaker states in a note obtained by Kallanish that placing the slag pits in a covered hall has the advantage of reducing the main nuisances caused by the pouring of slag. The Luxembourg state provided up to 30% of the funding for the pit relocation.
In the second phase, Differdange will install a former converter secondary dedusting system from the ArcelorMittal Florange plant by the end of the year. The new dedusting unit will be connected to local canopy hoods for the rolling mill and steel plant by the end of 2025.
ArcelorMittal is investing in decarbonisation, product quality and increasing capacity at its Luxembourg long products facilities in Differdange and Belval. The company aims to commission new and revamped equipment at both plants between 2024 and 2026. The investment will improve environmental footprint, relocate by-products management areas within the plants, reduce overall emissions, and increase output at Belval.
The company is also launching the “Steelup” project at Belval that involves a new digitised “no man on the floor” EAF with increased safety, a 15% energy consumption reduction, and 15% heavy sections productivity hike. The project includes a new vacuum degassing system to reduce dissolved gas and a continuous casting transformation system for new high-carbon steel grades and heavier beam blanks.
The modernisation will help to reach a certified low carbon footprint for steel of below 300kg per tonne, cutting CO2 by 200,000 t/year. The Belval site will obtain the XCarb label for rails produced from mill A.
The new Belval EAF costs about €67 million ($74.2m), including €15m from state subsidies. The Differdange revamp will cost around €18m, including €5m from the local government.
ArcelorMittal Luxembourg produced 1.9 million tonnes of crude steel in 2022 and employs 3,368 workers. The new Belval EAF will increase ArcelorMittal Luxembourg production to 2.5 million t/y of steel.
Natalia Capra France
