CISDI joins forces to create a greener LIBERTY

CISDI-SuperARC EAF - core equipment for low-carbon Mini-Mill tech - reduces electric power consumption, tap-to-tap time and melting costs per tonne of crude steel and resolves low energy utilisation efficiency and high energy consumption problems during full-scrap EAF melting

CISDI is to create a new, 150-tonne electric arc furnace for LIBERTY Steel’s Dunaferr plant in Budapest, as part of Hungarian government-backed plans to decarbonise the steelworks.

CISDI and LIBERTY Steel have formed a partnership in collaboration with the Hungarian Ministry of Economic Development, to shift Dunaferr from coal-based steel manufacture to Electric Arc Furnace, which will reduce direct CO₂ emissions by around 80% and also increase the plant’s market competitiveness.

CISDI’s state-of-the-art furnace carries the latest in energy efficient technology and allows for flexibility in charge materials. 

Providing Chinese solutions to a European steel producer intent on becoming carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30) marks a landmark for CISDI’s provision of critical green, low-carbon tech and equipment.

Bringing together the plant operator, equipment supplier and the Ministry into a single collaborative arrangement will ensure the decarbonisation plans - which are subject to EU regulatory approval - are effectively implemented.

The Hungarian Ministry will explore support for the project’s delivery through its administrative processes.

LIBERTY and CISDI will bear the primary responsibility for technical aspects of the project and both parties have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding pledging co-operation in the EAF’s supply, installation, operations and sustainable management. 

Present at the signing ceremony were Márton Nagy, Hungary’s Minister of Economic Development, Xuewen Xiao, chair of CISDI Group, and Sanjeev Gupta, executive chair of LIBERTY Steel Group. 

The minister said: “The signing of an agreement lays the foundation for green steel production in Dunaújváros, which is the future of the steel industry. This will provide long-term security and predictability for thousands of jobs. Moreover, Dunaferr’s role is also of national economic importance, as domestic steel production also contributes to increasing economic sovereignty.”

Mr Sanjeev Gupta stated: “LIBERTY is transitioning to green, low carbon technologies at speed across our global operations and we intend to do the same at the Dunaferr plant. This is a significant step forward to its greener steel plan in Europe and its energetic strategy to CN30. 

“We know from experience that to move quickly you need the support of world class technology partners, the right financing structures and a supportive government, which is why the formation of this group is so important. 

“We look forward to developing these plans with CISDI and the Ministry of Economic Development to ensure we put the Dunaújváros steelworks on a sustainable, competitive pathway as quickly as possible.”

CISDI’s chair, Xuewen Xiao commented: “CISDI provides core tech and equipment to global steel customers. Prioritising green, low-carbon steel innovations, we have created tailor-made solutions for customers with a wide range of resource and energy conditions.

“Our professionalism and business strengths will ensure the high-quality delivery of the EAF project. CISDI will spare no effort in providing technical support for LIBERTY to hit its greener transition and CN30 target.”

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LIBERTY is a global steel and mining business with a rolling capacity of over 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and a liquid steel capacity of over 14mtpa.

Around 30,000 employees and contractors are based in more than 200 locations worldwide.

Since 2015, LIBERTY has embarked on a series of acquisitions and development programmes which have transformed the business and created a global force in steel. 

LIBERTY is part of GFG Alliance, a collection of global businesses and investments focused on the metals and renewable energy sectors owned by Sanjeev Gupta and his immediate family. GFG Alliance is a leader in sustainable industry with an ambition to become Carbon Neutral by 2030 (CN30).

CISDI is a world-leading steel engineering service provider with a 65-year history. Its solutions encompass core tech and equipment for greenfield and brownfield plants and digital, green and low-carbon plants.

44 of the world’s top 50 steel enterprises are CISDI customers and are located in over 30 countries across six continents.

CISDI has built a low-carbon steel consulting platform based on optimal carbon flow analysis and a coupled low-carbon tech system.

Its latest advancements in new processes, new tech and products include the Low-carbon Blast Furnace, Gas-based Shaft Furnace, the SuperARC EAF, hot-bend forming and smart centralised control. 

Together, they form CISDI’s low-carbon process and tech system, the basis for its front-end consulting and systematic solutions - which develop flexible designs and economic and tech achievements tailored to each plant’s conditions.

The signing ceremony. LtoR: Xuewen Xiao, of CISDI Group, Sanjeev Gupta, of LIBERTY Steel Group, and Márton Nagy, Hungary’s Minister of Economic Development