U.S. Steel announced on Tuesday that their new electric arc furnace, the most advanced of its kind, has undergone a successful implementation and start-up at the company’s plant in Fairfield, AL.
The new furnace “will have an annual steelmaking capacity of 1.6 million tons,” according to a release from the company.
Douglas R. Matthews, a senior vice president at U.S. Steel, remarked that he was “proud of the Fairfield team for their perseverance and continued focus throughout the construction and start-up processes.”
The method of steelmaking in electric arc furnaces (EAFs), “utilizes electrical energy to melt a heat of steel. This process charges recycled steel scrap into the furnace, which is then heated by electric arcs; melting the scrap into liquid steel,” according to the company.
The new furnace, referred to as Fairfield EAF #1 by its owner, created its first batch of liquid steel on October 20.
“Fairfield EAF #1 adds significantly more sustainable steelmaking technology to our portfolio,” remarked U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt.
Business observers were pleased by the news, as the investment in the Fairfield plant appears to indicate U.S. Steel has long term plans for the facility.
A second EAF will soon begin operation in Alabama, as one is planned to be installed at AM/NS Calvert in Mobile County as part of an announced expansion of that plant.
Video of the Fairfield EAF #1’s start-up:
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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