Italy-based plantmaker Tenova has announced that it has secured a contract from Japan's Nippon Steel Corporation, through engineering, procurement and construction contractor Daido Steel, to supply a second Consteel electric arc furnace (EAF) for the Hirohata plant in Himeji, supporting the steelmaker's transition toward lower-emission steel production.
New 110 mt furnace to produce high-grade special steels
The new furnace, which will have a heat size of 110 mt, will produce high-grade special steels through electric steelmaking, building on the operating experience gained from Hirohata's first Consteel EAF, commissioned in 2022. According to Tenova, the installation is designed to provide operational flexibility and process efficiency, with the technology adapted to Nippon Steel's production requirements.
Scrap preheating and automation to improve energy efficiency
The furnace will combine continuous scrap preheating with advanced automation systems to optimize energy consumption, melting performance and process stability, supporting the use of recycled raw materials and lower-emission steelmaking at the site.
Tenova stated that the project reflects its ability to tailor its technologies to customers' decarbonization plans, while drawing on the experience gained from the existing Hirohata installation.
