Tata Steel UK has awarded a major contract to JASO Industrial Cranes as part of its £1.25 billion investment in low-emission steelmaking at the Port Talbot site in South Wales. JASO, an international manufacturer of process cranes, will supply seven high-capacity cranes to support the operations of Tata Steel’s upcoming Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) facility. This initiative is a key component of the company’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and transition to sustainable steel production methods.
The new EAF plant, expected to become operational by 2028, will rank among the largest of its kind globally. Once in service, it will reduce carbon emissions at the site by up to 90%, equating to approximately five million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The contract covers the delivery of two 500-tonne capacity cranes designed for handling liquid steel ladles, which are critical to the continuous operation of the Electric Arc Furnace. These high-capacity cranes will manage the transfer of molten steel with precision and safety, forming a core component of the new steelmaking process.
Additionally, two 80-tonne cranes will be installed to manage the consistent supply of scrap metal via an integrated conveyor system. Two 35-tonne cranes will be dedicated to electrode maintenance, ensuring optimal performance of the furnace. The agreement also includes a seventh crane to support various auxiliary functions within the facility, contributing to overall operational efficiency.
Stuart Lloyd, Project Manager for the crane installation, noted that this project builds upon earlier collaborations with JASO, including the 2019 replacement of the North Charging Crane. Lloyd emphasized that lessons from previous work informed the technical planning and implementation of this current initiative.
The new cranes are engineered to interconnect key sections of the Port Talbot EAF facility, ensuring reliable, efficient handling throughout the production process. These systems will play a central role in enabling low-emission steelmaking across the site.
JASO’s Marketing and Sales Director, Raul Fernandez, stated that this contract represents the company’s largest and most significant undertaking to date. He highlighted the strategic importance of contributing to the modernization and environmental performance of the UK steel sector.
Tata Steel operates the largest steelmaking facility in the UK, with a production capacity of 3 million tonnes per year at Port Talbot. The company employs approximately 8,000 people across its UK operations. Its transition from blast furnaces to electric arc technology will utilize domestically sourced scrap metal to support cleaner production.
As one of the world’s most ethically recognized and geographically diversified steel producers, Tata Steel Group operates with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes. The company recorded a consolidated turnover of $27.7 billion in the 2023-24 financial year and continues to drive innovation in sustainable steelmaking. With the Port Talbot green steel project now moving forward, Tata Steel UK is set to play a pivotal role in the UK’s industrial transformation, ensuring a more sustainable, competitive, and resilient steel sector for the future.
