Třinecké železárny has launched its first decarbonization project

Today, with the ceremonial tapping of the foundation stone, the construction of the Iron Ore Briquetting Line officially began at Třinecké železárny. This is the first project in the transformation of the steelworks, which will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as required by European legislation.

The construction costs of the briquetting line will reach nearly one billion CZK, with more than 50% of the funding provided by the Modernization Fund. The cold briquetting technology is unique in Europe and is not used on such a scale in the steel industry anywhere else. A similar principle is applied in the ceramics and construction industries. The equipment will be supplied to Třinec by a manufacturer from the USA.

The new emission-free briquetting line will have a production capacity of up to 80 tons of briquettes per hour. It will replace sinter plant, which is produced at high temperatures and generates significant CO2 emissions due to the high consumption of fossil fuels. The line will create jobs for 12 new employees. The steel plant plans to put it into operation in mid-2027.

„Thanks to the briquetting line, which cold binds the material needed for steel production, there will be a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, by up to 70,000 tons per year. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of 19,000 passenger cars, such as Octavia, “explained Roman Heide, the CEO of Třinecké železárny. The company will also reduce its consumption of coke and coke dust, which are currently sintered with limestone and iron ore in the sinter plant.

„The new technology operates on the principle of binding powdery ores through pressure and a binder. At the core of technology is a high-pressure press, where the material is compressed under very high pressure and vacuum. This is preceded by material preparation line, where the material is mixed, moistened, and a binder is added. The briquettes can be used after curing for approximately 48 hours, “specified Daniel Heczko, Investment Director.

This is one of a series of projects that transform the production processes at Třinecké železárny, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the requirements of the Green Deal, the European Green Agreement. Due to European Union requirements, Třinecké železárny must change its current steel production process, shut down one blast furnace, and the sinter plant. They will be replaced by new electric arc furnace, which will produce annually over one million tons of steel from scrap. The total cost of decarbonization will exceed one billion euro and must be completed by 2030 to achieve the required 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions compared to 1990.