An EUR76 million investment, the twin station furnace will reduce the plant’s hot metal use by increasing the amount of steel scrap used in its production processes. Hot metal use is expected to fall by 10% and scrap use is expected to increase five-fold. 

“Thanks to this investment, which we are very proud to inaugurate, the CO2 emissions of steel produced at Fos-sur-Mer, for the southern Europe market, will be significantly reduced,” said Bruno Ribo, outgoing chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal Méditerranée.

François Sgro, the incoming chief executive of ArcelorMittal Méditerranée elaborated, saying: “The achievements of this project are positive for both the climate and the environment. It is also a very important step for the teams here in ArcelorMittal Fos-sur-Mer, who are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the site this year.”

The Fos-sur-Mer site produces a range of more than 150 grades of steel, a third of which is used in the automotive sector including safety parts, and electrical steels for electric and hybrid car motors. Two-thirds of the grades are steels for industries including construction, agriculture and energy.