Tata Steel Europe (London, UK):

Fischer H., Technical Director, e-mail: feedback@tatasteel.com

Tata Steel’s Chief Technology Offi cer Hans Fischer explains how HIsarna — the low emissions ironmaking technology being pioneered in Europe — has reached a crucial phase in its development. HIsarna has been undergoing tests in a €20-million, 60 000-t/a pilot plant built in 2010 at Tata Steel’s IJmuiden plant in the Netherlands. The biggest advantage of HIsarna is that it eliminates the need for two key energy-intensive raw materials processes: sintering is no longer required because fine iron ore can be used rather than the more expensive kinds of agglomerated or lump ore that are required in conventional blast furnace ironmaking; and coking is no longer required because thermal coal can be used as fuel, which is cheaper than purchasing coking coal or coke. Besides, the energy efficiency of HIsarna means it would have economic as well as environmental benefits, improving the competitiveness of steel – one of Europe’s key Foundation Industries — which provides 1,4 % of EU GDP and on which a large proportion of Europe’s manufacturing and construction supply chains are dependent. Europe’s steel industry provides 335 000 jobs, not counting the millions more indirectly dependent for their employment on it.

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