Steelmaking to return to Teesside with new ‘ electric arc ’ furnace
NEWS
Steel deal – British Steel has revealed it plans to launch an electric arc furnace on Teesside .
Steelmaking to return to Teesside with new ‘ electric arc ’ furnace
Steelmaking is to return to Teesside after British Steel confirmed plans to build a new furnace at Teesworks .
Following detailed analysis of its current operations , available technology and challenging market conditions , British Steel says it ’ s proposing to accelerate its £ 1.25bn decarbonisation programme .
The proposals , which are subject to appropriate government support , could see British Steel install two electric arc furnaces ( EAFs ) – the first at its headquarters in Scunthorpe , the second at its manufacturing site in Teesside .
The new furnaces could be operational by late 2025 and would replace the aging iron and steelmaking operations in Scunthorpe , which are responsible for most of British Steel ’ s CO2 emissions .
The company has selected Lackenby , Redcar , as one of the locations for its new generation of furnaces , which use greener technology to melt scrap and produce new steel .
As previously reported by Tees Business , rumours had surfaced about the potential for steelmaking to return to the Tees region .
The proposed new facility will link with British Steel ’ s Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby and Special Profiles Mill at Skinningrove , which process steel for industrial uses .
Hundreds of direct jobs will be created with thousands more in the supply chain and construction .
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said : “ As Teessiders , we know that steel is in our blood – and the closure of our steelworks was a historic injustice , which needed to be addressed .
“ But with the construction of a new electric arc furnace we will see Teesside restored to its rightful place as a global leader in the steel industry , delivering well-paid jobs and investment for now and future generations .”
The furnace will generate heat from an electric arc between electrodes , in contrast to a blast furnace that uses coke to supply the large amount of energy needed .
A planning application was due to be submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Council in mid-November , with construction expected to begin in mid-2024 . It is scheduled that the plant will start operating in 2025 .
The project will be supported by the development of the previously announced hotel and shopping complex , which will provide services for workers .
A 160-bed hotel , two parades of shops and a petrol station will form part of the services zone near the Trunk Road , at Lackenby .
It will also feature a convenience store of around 4,500 sq ft , a family pub and eatery and two other freestanding restaurant units .
The announcement comes eight years after the closure of Redcar Steelworks followed the collapse of steelmaker SSI UK .
The former steelworks is now the site for the largest regeneration project in Europe across its 4,500 acres , and part of the Teesside Freeport .
British Steel from Lackenby has already been used in the construction of the £ 450m SeAH Wind monopile factory , which is being built at South Bank on Teesworks .
Teesworks CEO Martin Corney said : “ This announcement is excellent news for Teesworks and for the people of Teesside .”
BUSINESS BITES
SQUARE TRANSITION Wellington Square in Stockton is celebrating growing numbers following B & M ’ s opening as the final business to relocate from Castlegate Shopping Centre as its demolition continues .
B & M is the last out of 31 businesses that have moved from Castlegate Shopping Centre , filling the historic , vacant Marks & Spencer unit in the town centre .
Tenants that have taken up premises in Wellington Square include Barclays , Iceland and Specsavers , as well as local retailers Bluecorn Bakery , Junior Jungle and Harry Meynell Butchers .
LONDON CAMPUS Teesside University ’ s London campus is now complete and was showcased to potential students during an open day .
Several hundred students now study at Teesside University London , with a fresh intake enrolling recently .
Visitors were invited to an open day to find out more about the academic offer and meet some of the students who are already settling into their studies . Teesside University London , based at Here East , is bringing indemand subjects to new markets , with an initial focus on digital technologies and enterprise .
LAW CLINIC Law firm Savage Silk , which has an office in Stockton , has teamed up with Teesside University ’ s Law Clinic to provide ongoing support to its law students .
Teesside University ’ s Law Clinic offers free legal advice to members of the community .
Working in partnership with lawyers , charities and voluntary organisations , it provides students with real opportunities and practical skills in law while helping local people .
AIRPORT BOOST Teesside Airport has smashed the past 11 years of passenger numbers in just the first nine months of 2023 , new figures have revealed .
As 2023 ’ s summer season of flights draws to a close , it was revealed that the award-winning Teesside Airport welcomed 178,523 passengers through its terminal between January and September this year – more than each year ’ s full 12-month figures since 2011 .
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