Tenova has been selected by Nippon Steel to supply a second Consteel® electric arc furnace (EAF) for the steelmaker’s Hirohata plant in Himeji, Japan. The 110-metric-ton furnace will be used to produce high-grade special steels through electric steelmaking. The project extends the relationship between Tenova and Nippon Steel, which began with the installation of the first Consteel EAF at Hirohata Works in 2022. The latest order follows the recent contract for a 340-metric-ton Consteel EAF for Nippon Steel’s Yawata Works.
“The project secures our co-operation with Nippon Steel, which began with the supply of the first Consteel® EAF in 2022, and with the recent signature of the contract for the 340-ton Consteel® EAF for Yawata works. It gives us the opportunity to face new challenges together, moving another step forward toward an innovative and sustainable steel industry,” said Mario Marcozzi, marketing and sales director at Tenova.
The new EAF will use continuous scrap preheating combined with automated process controls. According to Tenova, the system is designed to improve energy consumption, melting performance and process stability during steel production. The Consteel technology continuously feeds preheated scrap into the electric arc furnace, allowing the melting process to be integrated with scrap preparation. This configuration is intended to support more consistent furnace operation while improving energy use.
The 110-metric-ton unit will add electric steelmaking capacity at Hirohata and will be configured for the production requirements of special steel grades. The project forms part of Nippon Steel’s ongoing investment in electric steelmaking technology. Daido Steel will act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project. Tenova will provide the Consteel EAF technology and related systems for the new furnace.
The order is the latest in a series of projects involving Tenova and Nippon Steel. The companies are also working together on the larger 340-metric-ton Consteel EAF planned for Yawata Works. Tenova supplies equipment and technologies for the metals and mining industries, including electric arc furnaces, steelmaking systems, automation and energy-efficiency solutions. Its Consteel technology combines continuous scrap charging and preheating with electric arc furnace steelmaking.
