“The upgrade has increased production efficiency and the quality of high-grade electrical steel while reducing energy consumption and emissions,” said Tenova in a statement.

The modernization of the WBF included multiple innovations such as a new refractory lining design and an optimized fixed and walking beam system. The company said this will ensure temperature distribution is more uniform along the length of the slab, reducing temperature loss in the slab’s center. Reduced contact points between slabs and the beam system will help avoid surface defects on the products.

“Our equipment ensures the maximum production of high-quality electrical steel strips while enhancing the sustainability of the heat treatment process,” said Alessandro Sicher, project engineer coordinator for reheating technologies at Tenova Italimpianti.

The upgrade also included integration of UltraLowNOx burners tailored for coke oven gas, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions and ensuring efficient heat distribution through a modernized control system. Cleaning intervals have also decreased due to a new automatic descaling concept. Safety measures were updated to comply with the latest standards.

“The modernization of this walking beam furnace supports our goals for efficiency and sustainability,” said Viktor Schlecht, head of hot strip mill 1 at thyssenkrupp Steel.

The completion of this modernization marks the second collaboration between thyssenkrupp Steel and Tenova.