Riesa steelworks opens emission-free rolling mill

With the opening of a new electrically powered rolling mill in Riesa, Elbe-Stahlwerke Feralpi has taken a further step towards green steel production. "The inauguration of the new rolling mill in Riesa is an expression of our long-term vision and our ongoing commitment to investing in advanced technologies," said the President of the Italian steel group, Giuseppe Pasini, at the opening of the plant. In doing so, Feralpi wants to strengthen its competitiveness on the global market and pursue more sustainable production.

According to the company, this is the first rolling mill in Germany that does not cause any direct CO2 emissions during production - i.e. no so-called "Scope 1" emissions. This refers to emissions that come directly from sources at the company's own site. This is made possible by an induction heating system that dispenses with the use of fossil fuels. A 300 meter long roller table connects the rolling mill directly to the continuous casting plant. The continuous hot run is intended to further reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Kretschmer: Economy and environment must go hand in hand

Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) praised the company's commitment to Saxony as an industrial location and its commitment to the production of green steel. "It is a strong signal in difficult economic times." Companies like Feralpi must continue to find conditions that enable "value creation and technological transformation with fair competition". "We need to straighten our backs, identify our own issues, name our own interests and then boldly move forward," emphasized the Minister President. In doing so, economy and ecology must go hand in hand.

In total, Feralpi has invested more than 220 million euros in the site - the largest single investment in its German history, according to the company. The expansion is expected to create around 100 new jobs, bringing the workforce to around 950 employees.

In addition to the rolling mill, a new scrap processing plant, an in-house transformer station and plant logistics were also modernized.

High energy prices jeopardize competitiveness

Company President Pasini also warned of the high energy prices in Germany. They were jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. In addition, scrap must be recognized as a strategic raw material for the circular economy.

Feralpi Stahl is one of the ten largest steel producers in Germany. The plant in Riesa produces construction steel almost exclusively from recycled scrap.