“Construction is advancing as expected with regard to time and budget,” outgoing chief executive Michael McQuade said during the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call last week. 

Through the project, Algoma will replace its No. 7 blast furnace with two EAFs at its existing plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The furnaces will have a combined raw steel capacity of about 3.7 million metric tons, which will match its downstream finishing capacity. More importantly, the furnaces are expected to lower the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by 3 million metric tons, a 70% reduction. 

“The project will fundamentally transform who we are and how we operate, positioning the company as a next-generation steelmaker, focused on sustainability and poised to be successful across all phases of the steel market cycle,” McQuade said. 

The company said long lead time equipment has been ordered and meltshop piling installation is underway. Rail and utility service relocations are also proceeding as is detailed engineering. Algoma's technology partner in the project is Danieli, which, in addition to the furnaces, is supplying an automated scrap yard, a vacuum tank degasser and an off-gas treatment plant.

The furnaces are scheduled to enter service in 2024, which will mark the start of a transition away from blast furnace steel production. The EAFs will take over as increased power supply becomes available from the grid with the support of the provincial government.

On another front, the company said its plate mill modernization is progressing, too, with hot trials on a new primary slab descaler having started earlier this month. Work also includes an automated surface inspection system and an in-line hot leveler to improve flatness. 

A second phase of work, to be completed late this fall, includes upgrades of onboard descaling systems for the 2-high and 4-high roughing roll stands, mill alignment and work roll offset at the 4-high, and new cooling beds linking the plate mill and shear line, among other things.