Comparison of different alternative steel technologies: evaluation of case studies for an innovative and sustainable steelwork

¹ Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, TeCIP - PERCRO, Via Alamanni 13b, 56100 Ghezzano, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, Italy
e-mail: b.fornai@sssup.it
² Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Chimica Industriale e Scienza dei Materiali, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy

Received: 10 July 2015
Accepted: 9 March 2016

Abstract

In the international steel market, competitiveness is crucial since the market is increasingly complex and dynamic. The steel companies face ever more stringent environmental regulations pushing toward process improvements focused on increasing resource efficiency while keeping economic sustainability. Investing in new and promising technologies when the current equipment and machinery become obsolete or unproductive is a task of utmost importance although not always easy to achieve. In Italy a steelwork located in Piombino produces high steel quality products but is currently undergoing an important revamping and renovation process. The case of the Piombino steelwork is an interesting example of the opportunities faced nowadays by European steel industry in the challenge of increasing global competition. An overview of some combinations among the possible and fruitful commercialized technologies that can be implemented in the specific situation and location of Piombino are presented and analysed. Each alternative technology is briefly depicted as well as some economic and environmental aspects of the possible mix combination.