HKM is preparing to restart BF B after the update
German steelmaker Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM), owned by Salzgitter, said it was preparing to resume operation of blast furnace B after maintenance.
Although the steel manufacturer did not specify a date for the relaunch of the BF B, it will test the equipment over the next two weeks before the restart. The replacement of the furnace lining was announced at the end of May 2026, and it began shortly after this announcement was made.
HKM is equipped with two furnaces: Furnace B has an annual capacity of 2.7 million tons of cast iron, and furnace A has 2.5 million tons.
In July of this year, Salzgitter acquired 100% of HKM shares, completing the transfer of ownership rights to Thyssenkrupp and Vallourec.
After acquiring the shares, Salzgitter initiated plans to decarbonize the HKM subsidiary by signing a contract with Tenova for the design, supply and installation of an electric arc furnace (EDP). The new furnace will be the largest in Germany and the second largest in the European Union, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tons and a planned production volume of 2 million tons of pure steel. The implementation phase will begin in August this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
To learn more about Salzgitter's decarbonization initiatives and those of other steel producers around the world, check out McCloskey's Global review on greening steel. .
Author: Maria Thanatar
opisnet.com