Corus expects an output of around 1.5 million tonnes per year from the revamped furnace at its plant in Port Talbot, South Wales.
The rebuilt furnace had been severely damaged during a tragic accident back in November 2001. Its re-building, through an investment of 75 million, marks a welcome respite for the sector from a testing year that has also seen difficulties in neighbouring South Wales firm ASW.
Completed ahead of schedule by contractors VAI Industries, the refurbishment has allowed Corus to include emission-cutting technology in the furnace.
Commenting on the development, managing director Dr Mark Carr said: “Blast furnace rebuilds can typically take up to four years to complete and I would like to congratulate the project team for the exemplary way they have risen to the challenges set, to deliver a state-of-the-art furnace on time and on budget. This is a major achievement of significance in the international iron and steel industry.”
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