Saverglass inaugurates second Mexican furnace

France/Mexico

Saverglass, a French manufacturer of container glass, inaugurated its second furnace in Mexico. During January, the inauguration ceremony for Furnace 13 was held at the company’s Acatlan facility in Mexico .

It is the company’s second furnace to be launched at the site, and the ceremony was attended by Saverglass President Jean Marc Arrambourg, group CEO Loic de Gromard and employees. In 2018, the French group opened its Acatlan facility, which has a capacity of approximately 85,000 tonnes per year. With the addition of the new furnace, production capacity will be doubled in the Americas, helping to meet current demand.

This move is being facilitated by Saverglass’ expansion into a Multi-Service Warehouse in Fairfield, California.

Primetals Technologies signs agreement with RHI Magnesita

Primetals Technologies is developing a new green technology to replace blast furnace (BF) plants, and recently signed a cooperation contract with RHI Magnesita, a supplier of refractory products, systems and services.

The new solution is called Smelter, a furnace powered by electricity used for melting and final reduction of direct reduced iron (DRI). Together with the direct reduction (DR) plant and the LD converter (BOF), the Smelter produces liquid metal for the steel plant. It also produces liquid slag suitable for use in the cement industry.

During direct reduction iron ore is reduced by a reducing gas, while the LD converter takes care of all the refining works. The conventional BF – LD converter route is resulting in almost two tonnes of CO2 per tonne of liquid steel. As a result of this new technology, the CO2 amount will be reduced by a factor of six, to 0.33 tonne of CO2 per tonne of liquid steel.

The Smelter provides two main cost related benefits for steel producers: The DR – Smelter – LD converter route can be used especially for low grade iron ores, as it handles the generated slag well. Additionally, the LD converter is kept and therefore steel producers who operate integrated plants have an ongoing process without modifications of the remaining production chain without having to renew certifications when they invest in a Smelter.

It will also be possible to keep the blast furnace running while installing the Smelter.

Constantin Beelitz, president Europe, CIS & Turkey of RHI Magnesita, said: “If you are serious about green steel, you have to start with the blast furnace processes, i.e. where CO2 emissions are massive.

“RHI Magnesita has been working closely with both steel and non-ferrous industries worldwide for years. We are proud that we are an integral part of pushing further the green steel development together with Primetals, not only as supplier of refractories but also as a technology partner. Hereby we contribute with our know-how and experience directly where our customers, but also the environment, will benefit from.”

Gerald Wimmer, vice president converter steelmaking, Primetals Technologies said: “

“With the Smelter, we are developing a new technology that will allow to use also low-grade irons ores, which is the majority of the global iron ores, for direct reduction. RHI Magnesita and Primetals Technologies have long lasting experience in development of new technologies, an excellent base for successful cooperation.”