Technology gearing up for greentec steel
greentec steel sets a strong example for the future of steel production. Alongside technological innovations and ecological advances, the technological changeover also means profound changes to the plant and machinery fleet – and with them, new plant requirements.
Team formed
In order to actively organize this change in the plant technology, in the fall of 2024, a cross-departmental team of personnel from the technology section of the slab business unit and the technical services & energy departments was set up. Because the changes not only affect the technical areas on site, but also the shared service operations of the maintenance and external partners.
Clear goal: Create understanding. Integrated support approach.
The goal is to achieve a common understanding about the future plant and machinery fleet and the existing thoughts about technology support.
We are facing a paradigm shift in maintenance
say the steering group made up of Thomas Schaubmayr, Manfred Leitner, Christian Weiss and Rüdiger Ritzinger.
The intention is for it to be based on a support concept developed from integrated thinking. Responsibilities will be clearly defined and interfaces between internal and external partners optimally coordinated. It is not only about technical processes, but also setting the course for organizational, infrastructure and personnel aspects.
Detailed concept
Drawing up this concept encompasses all the new plants and installations, and production changes arising during the course of greentec steel. An important example would be, say, the furnace shell change of the electric arc furnace including relining, which will be necessary around every two weeks. The on-site and technology section of the slab business unit and virtually all mobile teams of the technical services & energy departments will be involved. From this, specific technology and maintenance requirements will be derived – with the goal of ensuring effectively and efficiently operating technology fit for the future by the planned commissioning in February 2027. Particular focus is placed on sustainable availability of the new and existing plants and installations. Training concepts, workforce planning and lean smart maintenance approaches are incorporated, as is knowledge acquired from close cooperation with LogServ and external partners.
greentec steel shows that modern industry not only thinks in terms of machinery – but also in people, responsibility and future viability.
About greentec steel
With greentec steel, voestalpine has an ambitious and viable phased plan in order to make its contribution to achieving the climate goals. In the first step, the Group plans to replace two blast furnaces with two electric arc furnaces (EAFs) from 2027. This involves an investment of around 1.5 billion euros.
With the partial changeover from the blast furnace to the electric steel route, by 2029, CO2 emissions will have been reduced by around 30 %. This equals a saving of almost 4 million metric tons of CO2 per year – which is almost 5 % of Austria’s CO2 emissions. greentec steel is thus the largest climate protection program in Austria.
With the two electric arc furnaces, from 2027. voestalpine can produce approx. 2.5 million metric tons of CO2-reduced steel yearly, of which, 1.6 million metric tons in Linz and 850,000 metric tons in Donawitz. Find out more about greentec steel here.