Spanish technology and engineering supplier Sarralle Group tells Kallanish it has completed the upgrade of ArcelorMittal’s Belval plant in Luxembourg. The facility has a capacity of 1.3 million tonnes/year of beam blanks and blooms.
The so-called Steel Up project enables ArcelorMittal to produce high-quality steel for the long products market, particularly for its Rodange rolling mills, independently. It will thereby reduce its dependence on semi-finished steel supplied by German blast furnace-based plants.
ArcelorMittal was said to be ready to hot commission the new electric arc furnace at Belval in December, with ramp-up scheduled for January.
The investment included the engineering and supply of a new 155-tonne Direct Current electric arc furnace and 145t vacuum degasser. Sarralle also upgraded the six-strand continuous casting machine, fumes exhaust and material handling systems, as well as the water treatment plant.
“The project aims to reinforce the long-term competitiveness of the Belval plant’s sustainable production, supporting ArcelorMittal’s strategy to modernise and prepare its European operations for the future,” Sarralle explains. The equipment is set to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, while minimising maintenance requirements.
