Artrom Steel Tubes, one of Europe’s leading pipe manufacturers with operations in Resita and Slatina in Romania, announces investments of more than six million euros in 2024 to optimise measures to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
“Over the next two years, the metallurgical industry will have to make huge financial efforts to start major technology change projects, despite all the challenges it faces. The European institutions are calling for a shift to zero-emission green steel, replacing coal with natural gas and methane gas with hydrogen from green technologies, as well as the re-engineering of steel flows from iron ore and coal. The European Union has allowed member countries to grant state aid for the modernisation of their companies, but in the absence of this, we have resorted to financial efforts to ensure the acceleration of the decarbonisation processes of our plants“, said Adrian Popescu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Artrom Steel Tubes.
The company has started the process of upgrading the block heating furnace for forming pipes for rolling with the support of the Italian company SMS Spa, part of the SMS Group and Vesuvius Europe GmbH, both with significant experience in the industrial field. The process involves complete rebuilding of the masonry, using state-of-the-art refractory materials, as well as the installation of a new set of SMS RADFlame HY2 radiant burners, a new combustion control system and replacement of the automation level.
The furnace upgrade allows for a reduction in natural gas consumption, which directly influences the reduction of the pipe plant’s carbon footprint. The process also supports the possibility of using hydrogen, which will contribute to climate neutrality. The refurbishment will be completed later this year.
Artrom Steel Tubes produces steel for the Slatina pipe plant at the Reșița steelworks, from where it delivers products to Europe, the United States and Asia, with its European and US branches as sales agents.
Artrom employs about 2,350 people (1,550 in Slatina, 770 in Resita and about 30 in the representative offices in Europe and the USA) and has a turnover of 2 billion RON, 85 percent of which comes from exporting products to over 600 customers in Europe and America.
