Tata Steel has awarded a significant contract to the Welsh engineering company Systems Group for the first phase of upgrading its two continuous casters at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales, UK. The work will involve vital structural modifications and the replacement of pipework on the continuous casters, which are integral to the steelmaking process, converting liquid steel from the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) into solid steel slabs.
This upgrade is part of Tata Steel UK’s larger £1.25 billion initiative to transition to more sustainable steel production methods. The project will contribute to extending the life of the continuous casters, supporting the company’s shift to low-CO2 steelmaking as it prepares for the commissioning of a new EAF by the end of 2027. Once operational, the new EAF is expected to reduce carbon emissions at Port Talbot by about 90%, equivalent to a reduction of 5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Ryan O’Neill, Managing Director of Systems Group, expressed his pride in being awarded the contract, highlighting the importance of the project not only for the region’s economy but also in advancing low-carbon steel production. Ian Ellis, Engineering Project Manager at Tata Steel, emphasized the critical role of the refurbishment in preparing the casters for the demands of the new EAF, ensuring they meet the required steel volumes and qualities.
Following the selection of Systems Group, Tata Steel is set to award additional contracts in the near future to further upgrade electrical, mechanical, and process control systems at the Port Talbot facility. Tata Steel UK has already made significant progress in its green steel transformation. In December 2023, the company signed a deal with JCB for the supply of green steel, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable partnerships. In October 2024, Tata Steel appointed world-leading metals technology manufacturer Tenova to supply the new furnace, and Sir Robert McAlpine was recently named as the project’s main works contractor. These strategic moves position Tata Steel as a key player in the global shift towards low-carbon steel 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.
