The UK’s nascent electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking sector can build on existing capability and research and learn from the US, according to UK Steel, following last week’s confirmation that Port Talbot will close two blast furnaces and switch to EAF.
Director General Gareth Stace said EAFs can produce a vast range of steel products, and existing EAF steelmakers in the UK are already producing highly specialised steel for aerospace and defence applications.
The UK produces 11 million tonnes of steel scrap every year although 80% is exported mostly to developing countries (Turkey, Egypt, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) for sorting and recycling back into new steel products that may then be shipped back – increasing the UK’s carbon footprint.
“Over the next few years, the sector will accelerate innovation and collaborate with our varied customer base to supply green steel via Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking, using the abundance of scrap steel that the UK generates each year,” said Stace.
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