Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 26, Tata Steel has signed an agreement to install a new pickling line at its Port Talbot site in Wales, as announced on April 9, 2025. The new line will increase capacity by 50% compared to the existing one, offering an annual capacity of 1.8 million metric tons, up from 1.2 million metric tons. The project is expected to employ up to 220 workers during construction and is set to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The pickling line is part of the broader Port Talbot Overhaul project, which focuses on transitioning to sustainable steelmaking. Central to this initiative is the replacement of coal-fired blast furnaces with a 3 million metric ton per annum electric arc furnace (EAF). The £1.25 billion project is funded by £500 million from the UK government and the remainder by Tata Steel, marking a significant investment in the UK steel industry. “With the pre-engineering phase completed, both companies are now moving forward with detailed engineering,” Tata Steel stated, referring to the collaboration with French company Clecim, which will design and supply mechanical process equipment, and a Swedish firm providing electrification and automation technology.

Construction for the EAF is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with enabling works starting earlier in the first quarter. The furnace is expected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028. The project includes demolishing existing blast furnace structures, building two new ladle metallurgy furnaces for improved steel quality, and upgrading infrastructure such as the continuous slab caster and hot strip mill.

The overhaul aligns with efforts to enhance sustainability at Port Talbot. The new EAFs will have a crude steel capacity of 3.5 million metric tons annually, a reduction from the 5 million metric tons produced previously through blast furnaces. In 2022, the plant produced 2.2 million metric tons, and in 2024, Tata Steel shut down the blast furnaces and converter shop, relying on imported slabs to maintain rolling operations during the transition.

To support the community and workforce, the UK government and Tata Steel have established a Transition Board with £100 million in funding, including £80 million from the government and £20 million from Tata Steel. This initiative will provide skills training, job-seeking support, and local regeneration projects to assist workers and businesses affected by the changes.

The Port Talbot Overhaul project represents a significant step toward modernizing steel production in Wales, focusing on efficiency and environmental responsibility while maintaining the site’s role in the regional economy.