Final tap from Blast Furnace A at HKM in Duisburg

• The Salzgitter AG company is taking another step forwards to CO₂-neutral steel production
• After more than 53 years of production, Blast Furnace A was permanently decommissioned last Saturday in Duisburg
• In the future, HKM will produce CO₂-reduced steel by way of an electric arc furnace, thereby contributing to the transformation of Salzgitter AG

It was an emotional moment of farewell for the employees of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM), while at the same time, representing a significant sign for the future. After more than 53 years of production, the final tap from Blast Furnace A took place last Saturday at the HKM site in Duisburg. The facility, which first came online in 1973, was permanently decommissioned as part of the transition to nearly CO₂-neutral steel production. With this step, Salzgitter AG is consistently driving its transformation strategy forward at its subsidiary HKM as well. Starting in 2029, CO₂-reduced steel is set to be produced in Duisburg using an electric arc furnace.

With a tapping weight of 285 metric tons and a capacity of up to 2.5 million metric tons per year, the new facility will be the largest electric arc furnace in Germany and the second-largest in the European Union. The project is receiving 200 million euros in funding from the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the “Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection” program. Construction on the project kicked off in August 2026. The electric arc furnace is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

Until then, Blast Furnace B will ensure that production in Duisburg continues to run smoothly. The plant was restarted a few weeks ago subsequent to relining over a several month period. Last year, HKM's two blast furnaces produced a combined total of about 4 million metric tons of pig iron. This year, due to the commissioning of Blast Furnace B and the recent decommissioning of Blast Furnace A, pig iron production is projected to amount to approximately 3 million metric tons. Starting in 2027, annual capacity will be up to 2.5 million metric tons, initially using a blast furnace and later an electric arc furnace.

Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, commented as follows: “With the decommissioning of Blast Furnace A at HKM in Duisburg, we are taking another step closer to our goal of making a decisive contribution to achieving Germany’s climate targets. As Salzgitter AG, we aim to complete the transition to virtually CO₂-neutral steel production by the mid-2030s. With the construction of the electric arc furnace, which replaces the traditional blast furnace process, we are therefore consistently implementing the Salzgitter Group’s strategy in Duisburg as well, and strengthening our position as a leading supplier of green steel for industrial value chains. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all employees who, through their dedication at Blast Furnace A over the past few years, have laid the foundation for HKM’s success and a bright future for the company. I can understand that bidding farewell to this facility is very emotional for many of you.”

Andreas Betzler, spokesperson for HKM's management, adds: “For many of our colleagues, the permanent decommissioning of Blast Furnace A is an emotional farewell, as the facility symbolized industrial prowess and the tremendous dedication of entire generations at HKM.” At the same time, this moment is a sign of hope and renewal for us. By consistently and swiftly implementing Salzgitter AG's transformation strategy through the construction of the electric arc furnace in Duisburg, we are securing the future of the site.”

Sebastian Tauchert, Head of Blast Furnace Production at HKM: “For my team and myself, the final tapping at Blast Furnace A is a special moment. Many of our colleagues spent a large part of their professional lives working at this facility and operated it with great dedication and professionalism right up until the very final moments. We are proud of what we have achieved together with Blast Furnace A over the decades. At the same time, however, we are ready to continue on the path toward sustainable, nearly CO₂-neutral steel production with the same dedication.”

Blast Furnace A commenced its first furnace cycle on May 2, 1973. Since then, the plant has produced approximately 93 million metric tons of pig iron over the course of five production runs. The blast furnace had a frame diameter of 10.3 meters, a usable volume of 2,449 m3, and two tap holes. A few days before the final tapping last Saturday, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann had already shut down Battery 2 at the coking plant. The Executive Board of Salzgitter AG also extends its sincere thanks to the employees there for their dedication and committed work over the past few years. With the start of the construction project for the electric arc furnace, the transformation process at HKM has gained momentum.

Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann, or HKM for short, is a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG and, as an integrated steel mill, specializes in the production of steel and semi-finished products for the manufacturing industry. Our product range includes slabs with widths of up to 2.1 m for use in the manufacture of large-diameter pipes and automotive body parts, round steel with diameters ranging from 180 to 430 mm and lengths up to 14.5 m for forging and the production of seamless pipes. In this way, as part of the Salzgitter Group, we are making our contributions to ensuring sustainable, competitive, and future-proof steel production.

For more information, visit: www.hkm.de