Steeltec has put a new walking beam furnace into operation at its production site in Emmenbrücke. This will be used to heat billets from the company’s steelwork. According to a press release, the new furnace can be used for longer and for heavier products than its predecessors. This means that there is less process waste for clients during rolling and further processing.
Despite increased capacity and a greater volume, the furnace requires 13 percent less gas than the old system. The process heat from the furnace is used to preheat the billets after entering into the furnace. Some of the remaining waste heat is then fed into the district heating network of the city of Lucerne. According to information from Steeltec, the new features are lowering annual carbon emissions by almost 10 percent.
In addition to the furnace, Steeltec has also acquired additional facilities. Overall, the company has invested around 60 million Swiss francs in Emmenbrücke. According to the press release, this is the largest investment in recent years and simultaneously represents recognition of the Emmenbrücke site as well as Switzerland as a location for industry.
Frank Koch, CEO of Lucerne-based Swiss Steel Group Holding AG, which Steeltec is part of, states: “The investment is indicative of our company’s direction: we are following Swiss Steel Group’s strategy of positioning itself as a leader in the area of sustainable steel production.”
Steeltec is already preparing additional modernization steps at the factory. Increasing product diversity is a key focus of this.
