Tenova, a leading developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, proudly announces a major milestone for Nucor Steel Louisiana, USA.
In August 2024, the steelmaker’s ENERGIRON Direct Reduction (DR) plant set a world record with a production rate of 330.3 tons per hour (tph) of cold direct reduced iron (CDRI), achieving an impressive 7,928 tons per day (tpd). This accomplishment was complemented by high-quality direct reduced iron (DRI) with 95% metallization (%M) and a carbon content of 3.3% (%C), underscoring Nucor's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the steel industry.
A New Benchmark in Production and Reliability
The 2.5 million tons per year DR plant, based on the innovative ENERGIRON technology co-developed by Tenova and Danieli, has not only reached unprecedented production levels but has also demonstrated exceptional operational reliability. In 2024, the plant achieved over 98 % operational reliability and 97.50 % availability, highlighting the successful collaboration between Tenova and Nucor.
Success through Teamwork and Corporate Culture
“The most important factor that helped Nucor Steel Louisiana reach a world record production rate is our team and our culture,” explained Calvin Hart, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Louisiana. “Each team member played a crucial role in this achievement. It’s their commitment and passion that made this record possible. When you work inclusively and harness the collective efforts of each individual, there are no challenges we cannot overcome. Here’s to our team and this remarkable achievement – and to many more milestones ahead!”
“We are thrilled to celebrate this extraordinary achievement in our ENERGIRON Direct Reduction Plant,” said Stefano Maggiolino, Tenova HYL President & CEO. “This record is a testament to our continuous pursuit of operational excellence and our innovation in advanced technology, which enhances our Direct Reduction Plants’ production capabilities while reducing the environmental footprint.”
