In control of steam: new distribution center for the steam grid and greentec steel

Steam powers numerous facilities at the voestalpine plant in Linz, making it an indispensable utility for our operations. The new steam distribution center near the central heating plant is now up and running, serving as the central hub for all steam distribution across the entire facility.

Located north of the central heating plant (BG84), this new steam distribution center provides the Linz facility with a state-of-the-art control hub for its steam supply. Since its launch in May 2026, the facility has gradually taken over the distribution of steam flows across the entire plant-wide network.

Die neue Dampfverteilstation nördlich der Heizzentrale bündelt seit Ende Juni 2026 die gesamte Dampfverteilung am Standort und schafft die Voraussetzungen für die künftige Einbindung des Elektrolichtbogenofens.

Assembly completed

The final tie-ins were completed in late June 2026 while operations remained fully active, bringing the transition to a successful close. This new distribution center significantly enhances both operational flexibility and supply reliability. Every line can be isolated individually, while double-block-and-bleed valves with intermediate vents ensure maximum safety and clear system separation. At the same time, the facility allows for the precise management of steam flows—paving the way for the future integration of the new electric arc furnace (EAF). Automated valves and advanced controllers further support highly efficient operations.

Steam, an indispensable medium

The distribution center will also play a vital role in heat recovery. In the future, steam generated by the EAF can be fed into the plant network on demand and routed directly to power plant Block 08. This makes the facility a cornerstone of our future energy and utility infrastructure, creating the ideal framework to maximize energy efficiency. As a result, steam will remain an indispensable resource for powering the entire steel mill long into the future.

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.