New Zealand Steel has successfully produced its first green steel products using the new electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Glenbrook steelworks, marking a major milestone in the company’s transition towards lower-emission steel production. The new EAF is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the Glenbrook facility by more than 45%.
The project replaces the existing oxygen steelmaking furnace and two of the site’s four coal-fuelled kilns, supporting a significant reduction in the carbon intensity of steel manufacturing. The first heat was produced just over two years after construction began. New Zealand Steel said the project was completed while the Glenbrook steelworks remained fully operational, allowing the company to continue supplying steel to domestic customers throughout the transition.
Robin Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand Steel, said producing the first heat just over two years after breaking ground was a significant achievement. He added that the company had completed the transition while maintaining normal operations and continuing to produce around 650,000 tonnes of steel to ensure uninterrupted supply to industries across New Zealand.
The commissioning of the EAF represents an important step in New Zealand Steel’s efforts to modernise its production operations and reduce emissions. Unlike conventional coal-based steelmaking processes, an electric arc furnace uses electricity to melt steel and can significantly lower emissions when powered by lower-carbon electricity sources. The new facility will support New Zealand Steel’s ongoing focus on improving production efficiency while meeting the requirements of customers seeking lower-emission steel products.
New Zealand Steel’s sister company, Pacific Steel, will bring the new green steel products to market later this year under the PACIFIC™ and PACIFIC DCRB® brands. The products are expected to provide customers with additional options for reducing the emissions associated with steel used across construction, infrastructure and other industries.
The first green steel production also marks the completion of a major phase in the Glenbrook steelworks’ transformation. The company has worked to integrate the new furnace into an operating steel plant, maintaining production and supply commitments during construction and commissioning. With the EAF now producing its first steel, New Zealand Steel will continue to focus on ramping up operations and bringing the new products to customers.
The project strengthens the company’s position in New Zealand’s steel industry while supporting broader efforts to reduce industrial emissions and develop more sustainable manufacturing processes. The launch of PACIFIC™ and PACIFIC DCRB® later this year will give customers access to steel produced through the new lower-emission production process.
