voestalpine produced the world’s first high-quality green wire rod from hydrogen-reduced pure iron and scrap at its Donawitz site. The landmark melting was carried out in the Group’s own Technikum Metallurgie (TechMet) research facility.
Apr 20, 2024
Austrian steelmaker voestalpine has produced the world’s first high-quality “green” wire rod from hydrogen-reduced pure iron and scrap at its Donawitz site.
The hydrogen-reduced pure iron was produced in the Hyfor pilot plant, while the landmark melting was carried out in the Group’s own Technikum Metallurgie (TechMet) research facility, a unique complete steel plant in miniature.
The production of high-quality, CO2-reduced steel grades is one of the greatest technological challenges in the transition to green steel production. With greentec steel, voestalpine has developed an ambitious step-by-step plan to make its contribution to achieving the climate targets.
The CO2-reduced-steel is further processed in the wire rod mill into roller-bearing steel, which is characterized by its particular hardness and wear resistance.
Watch: RR Kabel | Solar Cables | Solar Plant | Renewable Energy
“The first-ever melting of hydrogen-reduced pure iron and its further processing into high-quality wire rod is a historic milestone. We have already made a successful start on our path to green steel production and are advancing quickly with construction of the two arc furnaces powered by green electricity in Linz and Donawitz,” said Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG
“Parallel to this, we are researching various breakthrough technologies with partners from industry and science,” he added.
The company said that its greentec steel design will be available for applications in 2027. It said it was in the midst of innovation and passion, in the beginning of a new era, an era of premium wire solutions based on greentec steel.
“It’s not just wire. It’s not just steel. It’s a commitment to a sustainable future – Where premium quality meets eco-friendly excellence 2027. Work with us to develop premium wire solutions with a reduced carbon footprint, said a statement issued by the company..
Hyfor is a joint research project of Primetals Technologies, voestalpine, Montanuniversität Leoben and K1-MET with the aim of investigating the reduction of fine iron ore using hydrogen.
Also Read: Lanka SSL Launches First-Ever Overseas Office in Hyderabad
The resulting hot sponge iron could in future be melted down in an electric arc furnace or used to produce hot briquetted sponge iron (HBI).
At the Technikum Metallurgie, voestalpine is researching the production of new high-performance steels, which are further processed into special rails, high-quality wire rod and heavy-duty oil field pipes. Product development is carried out using a CO2-reduced route: the primary material is melted using electricity from renewable energy sources.
“The Technikum Metallurgie provides us with an ideal test environment to quickly adapt our steels to the needs of our customers and changed market requirements. I am very pleased that we are now also doing pioneering work in green steel production and would like to thank all the researchers and employees for their commitment,” said Franz Kainersdorfer, Head of the Metal Engineering Division and Member of the Management Board of voestalpine AG.
