EuroWire March 2022

Corporate News

British Steel unveils low-carbon roadmap with net-zero pledge

To help achieve its net-zero targets, British Steel will use a range of techniques and innovations, including assessing and adopting technology options such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, increasing scrap utilisation and electric arc furnace steelmaking. Steel product innovation will promote the material benefits to end users, for example through lightweighting and life extension. Mr Li said, “When we bought British Steel […] we promised to transform the company into a sustainable business and decarbonisation is fundamental to this. We have implemented a number of significant projects to enhance operations and, fuelled by the drive of our employees, we have introduced many positive changes.” British Steel Ltd https://britishsteel.co.uk

British Steel has pledged to invest in a range of technologies to deliver net-zero steel by 2050, and significantly reduce its CO 2 intensity by 2030 and 2035. The company outlined its plans in a “Low-Carbon Roadmap” – in line with the UK’s commitment to the Paris Agreement – which will see the business adopt a science-based target in order to validate its reductions. British Steel chairman Huiming Li, who is also CEO of parent company Jingye, said, “We firmly believe our products can play a central role in transitioning to a low-carbon, circular economy and we have ambitious plans to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, with solutions that are globally recognised and accepted. “Embracing new technology and ways of working will help our drive towards a phased reduction of CO 2 emissions by 2030, 2035 and 2050. And while there is no doubt decarbonisation is a major challenge for our business – the biggest we have faced in 130 years of steelmaking – we’re committed to creating a clean, green and sustainable future for British Steel.” The company’s efforts to decarbonise the business are already underway, with projects being implemented to improve environmental performance. For example, the amount of scrap used in the integrated steelmaking route has been increased, with plans to further increase this by 2023, and the company is progressing the use of hot briquetted iron (HBI) and scrap in the iron-making process.

AIC Group acquires Kern Industrie Automation

Global system integrator AIC has acquired the majority of Kern Industrie Automation GmbH & Co KG. AIC (Automazioni Industriali Capitanio) provides advanced and tailored automation and robotic solutions for the steel industry, with the aim of improving the efficiency, competitiveness and safety of production processes. The company has experience in both greenfield and revamping projects in melt shops and long- product rolling mills. Kern has an extensive range of products and services covering requirements in cold and hot flat products processes. With the acquisition, AIC and Kern will reinforce their previous agreements and will unite to increase market presence and improve service levels for customers worldwide. Both sides will benefit from completing their service package and enhancing their portfolios. The companies will co-develop engineering solutions and form joint engineering and service centres. AIC expects the aligned cooperation to expand its presence in new areas: Kern branches in China and the Czech Republic will act as hubs for international expansion. AIC managing director Marco Capitanio commented, “This is an important milestone for our company and our customers as this will open the German-speaking countries and allow us to enter into the flat products market.” Automazioni Industriali Capitanio Srl www.aicnet.it Kern Industrie Automation GmbH & Co KG www.k-i-a.de

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March 2022