A planned “greening” of its steel making operations will mean a dramatic transition at Hamilton’s ArcelorMittal Dofasco in the approaching years.
The steelmaker plans to shut down its coke ovens and blast furnaces by 2028, in favour of expanded use of electrical arc furnace technology, because it switches from coal to a natural gas-based steelmaking process.
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, calls it an environmental “game-changer.”
“This project, alone, is anticipated to cut back greenhouse gas emissions by three million metric tonnes per 12 months once the project is accomplished,” said Champagne, “the equivalent of taking a million cars off the road.”
Champagne announced on Friday morning that the federal government is investing $400 million towards Arcelor Mittal Dofasco’s $1.76-billion transition to “green” steelmaking, nevertheless, the project remains to be contingent on a yet-to-be-announced provincial funding contribution.
Aditya Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal, said the plan represents a “historic moment” for the corporate, marking the “starting of a recent era of steelmaking” in Hamilton.
He added that the corporate’s ambition is net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Eventually, the corporate hopes for a future transition to green hydrogen-fueled steelmaking. Mittal said that shall be possible once “hydrogen becomes abundant in supply and costs are reasonable.”
Once the project is accomplished, Champagne predicted that “the competitiveness of this facility shall be solidified for many years to return, and can secure the presence of ArcelorMittal in Hamilton for many years to return.”
