Blastr inks Vogten Staal deal for low-carbon steel supply
Blastr Green Steel has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vogten Staal, a European steel service center, for the annual supply of its low-carbon steel, the Norwegian company stated on April 7.
The agreement with Vogten will enable Blastr’s low-carbon steel to reach more sustainable metal users and grant access to Vogten’s steel refinement services, including hot-rolled material pickling. The two companies did not disclose the volumes of the agreement.
Vogten’s production lines are located in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The company recently invested in a second production facility. When all new lines are installed, the annual production capacity of both facilities will be over 1 million mt, divided over three cut-to-length lines, two push-pull pickling lines, a slitting line and four shears.
Blastr is planning a direct-reduced iron, or DRI-EAF steel plant with an integrated green hydrogen production facility to produce 2.5 million mt of low-carbon steel in Inkoo, Finland. It is currently looking for the DRI location and exploring building it in the UK, a spokesperson told Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, on Feb. 3.
“The collaboration between Blastr and Vogten Staal reflects strong growth in demand for high-quality decarbonized steel in European markets,” Mark Bula, CEO of Blastr said.
“We are proud to partner with one of Europe’s leading steel service centers, which shares our commitment to mitigating climate change by making green steel available to a growing pool of customers,” Bula added.
This is the third offtake low-carbon supply agreement announced by Blastr in less than four months.
Platts assessed Northwest European hot-rolled coil carbon-accounted stable at Eur710/mt ex-works Ruhr on April 4.
Blastr Green Steel’s new plant in Finland acquires environmental approval
Norwegian decarbonized steel developer Blastr Green Steel has announced that its planned low-emission steel plant in Inkoo, Finland, has successfully passed the crucial environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and the project has moved to the permit process.
The plant with a 2.5 million mt annual production capacity will use local raw materials and carbon-free energy to produce cost-competitive and ultra-low-emission steel.
Antti Kaikkonen, country manager for Blastr Green Steel in Finland, has commented on the EIA process, stating, “This has been a significant undertaking, involving thorough and long-term preparation. Over two years of work have gone into these assessments with a large team of experts, while simultaneously advancing the project through detailed technical planning”.
The planned steel mill in Inkoo aims to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional steel production. Instead of using coal, the steel mill will utilize clean hydrogen in its production process and rely on raw materials produced with clean energy, supporting international climate goals. Additionally, the project is expected to have substantial positive effects on the economy and business activities in Inkoo and Western Uusimaa, bringing significant employment opportunities and investments to the region.
Aurora to construct distribution facilities for Blastr’s green steel plant
Norwegian decarbonized steel developer chas announced that it has reached an agreement with Finland-based Aurora Infrastructure for the latter to build electricity distribution facilities for its green steel plant under development at Inkoo, Finland.
Accordingly, Aurora will undertake the design, construction, operation, maintenance and financing of the distribution facilities, allowing Blastr to advance its green steel project.
Additionally, Blastr will also explore the option to outsource its electricity networks to Aurora Infrastructure.
Norway’s Blastr Green Steel to supply ultra-low carbon steel to Interfer Edelstahl Group
Norwegian decarbonized steel developer Blastr Green Steel has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based steel distributor INTERFER Edelstahl Group for the annual supply of 150,000 mt of ultra-low carbon HRC grade steel products.
Deliveries of the given products are scheduled to start by the end of 2029. The companies plan to start discussions on a binding agreement at the beginning of 2025.
This is the second offtake agreement in just over a month, covering a combined 10 percent of the planned capacity at Blastr’s green steel plant under development at Inkoo, Finland. Last month, the company signed an agreement to annually supply 100,000 mt of ultra-low carbon steel to European steel processing and distribution company Knauf Interfer.