China's Tangshan to install two new cutting-edge EAFs

Construction on the EAF project actually began in January this year, and the furnaces are expected to commence production in the second quarter of 2026, according to the release.

Ground breaking ceremony of the EAF project (Source: Danieli)

Unlike conventional EAF systems, the new units will be equipped with the Italian plant builder's "Zerobucket" technology, characterized by short tap-to-tap times and continuous charging of metallics, including scrap, DRI, HBI, and hot metal, the news highlighted.

Specifically, Donghua Steel's new EAFs will tap liquid steel every 33 minutes when operating with steel scrap and up to 40% of hot metal, according to the release.

Danieli says that the new process will reduce direct carbon emissions and achieve the overall electrical and chemical energy savings of 50 kwh/tonne, thanks to the continuous feeding of scrap materials that are preheated by process off-gases, along with no-opening of the EAF roof for bucket charging.

Including these two new EAFs for Donghua Steel, Danieli has secured orders for 31 EAFs in China, it says. The company did not reveal the size of the furnaces the Tangshan steelmaker has bought but in July last year, Danieli announced the smooth operation of a Zerobucket EAF at Baosteel's Shanghai works that has a capacity of 150 tonnes.

Located in China's major steelmaking hub Tangshan, Donghua Steel has a steel production capacity of 3.2 million tonnes/year. The company specializes in high-end rebar and wire rods, and its products are extensively exported to more than a dozen countries, according to the company's official website.

Written by Anthea Shi, shihui@mysteel.com

Edited by Russ McCulloch, russ.mcculloch@mysteel.com