Giants for scrap metal handling

In the future, we will need significantly more scrap metal than before. Once the electric arc furnace (EAF) at the Linz site goes into operation in 2027, approximately 2.2 million tons of high-quality scrap will be used at the Linz steelworks to produce CO2-reduced greentec steel. This represents an 86% increase in the demand for external scrap metal. Two new scrap handling machines have now gone into operation in Linz—giants designed to ensure a secure supply.

The Liebherr LH 150 scrap handlers are characterized by their long reach, robust design and impressive performance data. Each machine used for unloading wagons and loading scrap baskets has an operating weight of 210 tons and a horizontal reach of up to 32 meters. The electrically powered 536-horsepower motor provides the necessary power for handling operations. The Climate and Energy Fund is supporting this climate-friendly drive system with a grant.

Liebherr LH 150: Zwei Giganten sichern künftig die zuverlässige Versorgung des Elektrolichtbogenofens mit Schrott an der Ostseite des Schrottplatzes am Standort Linz.

Safety is the top priority

A special focus at the end of the commissioning phase for the scrap handling machines was a rescue exercise conducted from the driver's cab at a height of 13 meters. During this exercise, the Linz site's plant fire department and emergency medical services practiced the realistic and safe rescue of a person from the machine's cab.

Efficient scrap supply

In the final expansion stage, a total of four handling machines will be in operation, with two on the east side and two on the west side of the scrap yard. With the completion of machine commissioning and the successful safety inspection, the conversion of the east side is considered finished. The new infrastructure enables more efficient workflows and higher handling capacities while simultaneously increasing occupational safety in daily operations.

greentec steel

The greentec steel project of voestalpine is an ambitious step-by-step plan that makes a valuable contribution to the achievement of the climate goals. As a first step, the voestalpine Group plans to replace two blast furnaces with two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) by the year 2027. The investment volume amounts to roughly 1.5 billion euros.   

Carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 30% as early as 2029 by making this switch from the blast furnace to the EAF. This corresponds to a savings of nearly 4 million tons of CO2 per year, amounting to nearly 5% of the carbon emissions in Austria. This makes greentec steel the largest climate protection program in Austria. 

The two electric-arc furnaces will enable voestalpine to produce roughly 2.5 million tons of carbon-reduced steel by the year 2027, roughly 1.6 million tons in Linz and 850,000 tons in Donawitz. Learn more about greentec steel here.