ArcelorMittal could close Florange coke plant by 2022

ArcelorMittal confirmed to the French unions and to Kallanish this week that the Florange coke plant could close permanently from 2022-2023. As the group continues to invest in reducing CO₂ emissions, its need for coke could be reduced.

The Florange coke plant currently supplies the Dunkirk integrated site of the group. During the coming years, nevertheless, the Dunkirk plant could become self-sufficient in coke as its requirements fall in line with the planned decarbonisation of steelmaking.

ArcelorMittal in Florange now focuses mainly on finishing activities for coil, after the site mothballed its hot-end equipped with 2 blast furnaces in 2013. The coke plant was initially planned to continue operating until 2032, but it could now be closed sooner.

ArcelorMittal is currently investing significant amounts in Florange to increase the output of galvanised material for the auto sector (see Kallanish passim). The company explained this week that the increase in output at the recently-opened second HDG production line in Florange will proceed in line with developments in automotive demand in Europe.