Germany-based steelmaker
Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH has announced that it has invested in a new coal-injection system for its A and B blast furnaces. This plant has now commenced operation and is already reducing the costs for pig iron production.
In the past, oil was used in the blast furnace process as a replacement reducing agent for coke but has now been replaced with ground coal. The blast furnace process requires reducing agents in order to allow oxygen to be separated from the ore.
The company produces 4.3 million mt of pig iron a year. Initially around 370,000 mt of coal a year will be processed in the new system. Long-term plans envisage this figure to rise to 700,000 mt.
Salzgitter stated that, due to the increase in oil prices in recent years, the project is very cost efficient, even in light of volatile price developments. The company invested €78 million for the system's construction.