Next milestone for greentec steel: electric arc furnace delivered to the Linz site

21 September 2026 |

Major milestone for Austria’s largest climate protection program: The core equipment for the new electric arc furnace (EAF) at the voestalpine site in Linz has arrived. The individual components, weighing a total of 790 tons, were transported in several loads, mostly by ship. The EAF will go into operation in the first half of 2027. Once fully operational, each year it will produce around 1.6 million tons of steel with a significantly lower carbon footprint.

voestalpine is building a new steel mill at each of its two locations in Linz and Donawitz, amid ongoing production at high capacity. 2026 is the key year for implementation: construction work will be completed, the main units will be delivered and installed, and the necessary utility infrastructure will become operational. In the first half of 2027, the first melts and official commissioning of the new electric arc furnaces will take place. The facilities will then be gradually ramped up, with tests, trial operations, and all necessary inspections until stable, routine operation is achieved.

Through greentec steel, Austria’s largest climate protection program, we are setting new global standards in next-generation steel production. The project is on schedule and within budget at both sites.

Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG

Core equipment from Europe, assembled in Linz

The main components for the electric arc furnace in Linz were manufactured in several European countries—Germany, Italy, and Turkey—and delivered to the site. These components are now being installed on site, finely adjusted, and combined to form a fully operational system.

The electric arc furnace is the technological heart of the new plant. The successful delivery of all the components is the result of months of planning and effective collaboration with our project partner, Primetals Technologies. Now the next crucial project phase begins: the completion of the entire plant.

Hubert Zajicek, Member of the Management Board of voestalpine AG and Head of the Steel Division

30% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2029

voestalpine has a clear strategy with greentec steel and, as planned, is taking a first step towards partially converting part of its production in Linz and Donawitz to electrified steelmaking. The electric arc furnaces will go into operation in the first half of 2027. By 2029, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 30% compared to 2019. This is equivalent to almost 5% of Austria’s annual CO₂ emissions, making greentec steel Austria’s largest climate action program.

Steel Division

As a global manufacturer of high-quality steel products, the voestalpine Group’s Steel Division assumes a driving role in shaping a clean and livable future. The Steel Division has set benchmarks in the current steel production route and is pursuing an ambitious step-by-step plan to achieve steel production with net zero CO₂ emissions with its greentec steel. As a first step, the Steel Division offers a CO₂-reduced greentec steel version of each flat steel product. It is also working on the implementation of climate-friendly production technologies based on renewable energies. The Steel Division is the first point of contact for major automotive manufacturers and suppliers worldwide when it comes to high-quality steel strip. It is also a prominent partner to the European machinery and housing industries. The division manufactures heavy plates and cast products for applications subject to the most difficult conditions in the energy industry and provides customized solutions for the expansion of renewable energy. In the business year 2025/26, the Steel Division generated revenue of EUR 5.7 billion, reported an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 811 million, and had around 10,800 employees worldwide.

The voestalpine Group

voestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. The voestalpine Group has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive and machinery industries, as well as to the aerospace and energy industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway systems and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global climate goals and has a clear plan for transforming steel production with its greentec steel program. In the business year 2025/26, the Group generated revenue of EUR 15.1 billion, with an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 1.5 billion; it has around 48,800 employees worldwide.

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