Final tap from blast furnace A at HKM in Duisburg
It was an emotional moment of farewell for the employees of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM), while at the same time, representing a significant sign for the future. After more than 53 years of production, the final tap from blast furnace A took place last Saturday at the HKM site in Duisburg. The facility, which first came online in 1973, was permanently decommissioned as part of the transition to nearly CO2-neutral steel production. Starting in 2029, CO2-reduced steel is set to be produced in Duisburg using an electric arc furnace (EAF).
After more than 53 years of production, blast furnace A has been permanently decommissioned in Duisburg, Germany
With a tapping weight of 285 metric tons and a capacity of up to 2.5 million metric tons per year, the new facility will be the largest EAF in Germany and the second-largest in the EU. The project is receiving €200 million in funding from the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the “Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection” program. Construction on the project kicked off in August 2026. The EAF is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
Until then, blast furnace B will ensure that production in Duisburg continues to run smoothly. The plant was restarted a few weeks ago subsequent to relining over a several month period. Last year, HKM's two blast furnaces produced a combined total of about 4 million metric tons of pig iron. This year, due to the commissioning of blast furnace B and the recent decommissioning of blast furnace A, pig iron production is projected to amount to approximately 3 million metric tons. Starting in 2027, annual capacity will be up to 2.5 million metric tons, initially using a blast furnace and later an EAF.
Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter, said, “With the decommissioning of blast furnace A at HKM in Duisburg, we are taking another step closer to our goal of making a decisive contribution to achieving Germany’s climate targets. At Salzgitter, we aim to complete the transition to virtually CO2-neutral steel production by the mid-2030s. With the construction of the EAF, which replaces the traditional blast furnace process, we are therefore consistently implementing the Salzgitter Group’s strategy in Duisburg as well, and strengthening our position as a leading supplier of green steel for industrial value chains.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all employees who, through their dedication at blast furnace A over the past few years, have laid the foundation for HKM’s success and a bright future for the company. I can understand that bidding farewell to this facility is very emotional for many of you.”
Sebastian Tauchert, head of blast furnace production at HKM, said, “For my team and myself, the final tapping at blast furnace A is a special moment. Many of our colleagues spent a large part of their professional lives working at this facility and operated it with great dedication and professionalism right up until the very final moments. We are proud of what we have achieved together with blast furnace A over the decades. At the same time, however, we are ready to continue on the path toward sustainable, nearly CO₂-neutral steel production with the same dedication.”
Blast furnace A commenced its first furnace cycle on May 2, 1973. Since then, the plant has produced approximately 93 million metric tons of pig iron over the course of five production runs. The blast furnace had a frame diameter of 10.3 meters, a usable volume of 2,449 m3, and two tap holes. A few days before the final tapping last Saturday, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann had already shut down battery 2 at the coking plant.
Blast furnace A commenced its first furnace cycle on May 2, 1973. Since then, the plant has produced approximately 93 million metric tons of pig iron over the course of five production runs