New furnace: Belval increases energy efficiency
Luxembourg, 17 June 2013 – ArcelorMittal Belval & Differdange SA has started the modernized electric arc furnace at the Esch-Belval steelworks as planned. The upper and lower vessels were replaced during two weeks of conversion work and a new fin-type bottom electrode was acquired. Investments – within the framework of the Lux2016 plan for maintaining the competitiveness of Luxembourg’s steel industry – are running at six million euros.
Roland Bastian, CEO of ArcelorMittal Belval, said: “The startup of the renewed electric arc furnace mid-April was a complete success.” The old furnace’s production record of 30 batches per day was equalled in May following a short test phase. Thanks to the modernisation, the plant’s production capacity has been increased to one million tonnes of crude steel per year.