Tenova to supply Germany's largest electric arc furnace for HKM

Tenova has been selected to supply the electric arc furnace (EAF) for the transformation of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM) in Duisburg, Germany. The project marks a key milestone in HKM's transition from blast furnace-based steelmaking to low-emission production following its acquisition by Salzgitter AG.

With a design capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year, the new furnace will be the largest EAF in Germany and among the largest in Europe.

Consteel® technology at the core

The new 285-tonne furnace will feature Tenova's Consteel® continuous scrap charging technology together with an Electro Magnetic Stirring (EMS) system developed in partnership with ABB. According to the company, the combination is designed to improve productivity, increase raw material flexibility, reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impact while lowering disturbances to the power grid.

Installed on a turnkey basis, the furnace will supply up to 380 tonnes of liquid steel per hour to HKM's existing secondary metallurgy facilities and slab caster. The plant will be capable of producing high-quality flat steel grades, including automotive applications requiring exposed surface quality.

Key project for German steel decarbonisation

The investment represents one of the largest ongoing steel decarbonisation projects in Europe. By replacing the existing blast furnace route with electric steelmaking, HKM aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions while securing the long-term competitiveness of the Duisburg-Huckingen site.

"The awarding of the contract for the electric arc furnace represents a significant milestone for HKM and for the future of our site," said Andreas Betzler, spokesperson for HKM's management. He added that the selected solution had to combine operational efficiency with stringent environmental and safety requirements.

Two years of project development

According to Tenova, the project is the result of almost two years of technical studies and negotiations between the two companies.

"The electric arc furnace at HKM will be the most powerful and energy-efficient in Germany, and one of the most productive worldwide," said Paolo Stagnoli, Sales and Marketing Director EAF & LF at Tenova. "This decision to adopt our technology for one of the most significant transformation projects in the European steel industry demonstrates once again that industrial competitiveness and decarbonization can successfully go hand in hand."

Source and Photo: Tenova