ArcelorMittal Poland, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based steel giant ArcelorMittal, has announced that it has restarted blast furnace No. 3 at its Dąbrowa Górnicza steelworks following a seven-month shutdown caused by challenging market conditions. The furnace was relit on April 28, with the first pig iron tapped one day later, marking the return of the installation to operation.
The restart follows a PLN 60 million ($15 million) overhaul focused on key components of the installation.
The renovation included rebuilding the hearth using new ceramic materials, modernizing the cooling system, repairing or replacing worn components. The upgrade is expected to extend the furnace’s operational campaign by approximately four years.
The main refurbishment activities lasted more than 70 days, involving up to 300 specialists from 20 external companies at peak activity. According to the company, the works were completed safely and enabled the efficient recommissioning of the blast furnace.
ArcelorMittal Poland stated that the restart was carried out as soon as market conditions allowed, following the earlier shutdown.
The company noted that high energy costs remain a significant challenge for steel producers in Europe.
EU trade measures expected to support market conditions
The company expressed optimism that regulatory developments such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the new EU tariff-rate quota system will improve competitive conditions.
These measures are expected to:
- Strengthen protection of the EU steel market
- Support higher capacity utilization
- Improve competitiveness of European producers
The restart of blast furnace No. 3 is expected to support stable production at the Dąbrowa facility, contributing to the company’s operational efficiency and supply capabilities in the European steel market.
