2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tata Steel awards contract for Port Talbot site work
Tata Steel has awarded the contract to Systems Group, a Maesteg-based engineering specialist, to refurbish its two continuous casters as part of its plan to transition to greener steel production.
Ian Ellis, engineering project manager at Tata Steel and lead on the caster life-extension, said: "This is a hugely important project for Port Talbot and for Tata Steel's future in the UK.
"The casters are where liquid steel – produced at more than 1,600 degrees Celsius – is solidified into slabs, ready for further processing."
The continuous casters are essential to the steelmaking process, turning liquid steel from the planned Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) into solid slabs.
The refurbishment is a key part of Tata Steel UK's £1.25 billion investment to reduce carbon emissions and move towards more sustainable steel production.
The new EAF, expected to be operational by the end of 2027, is projected to cut carbon emissions at Port Talbot by around 90 per cent, equivalent to five million tonnes of CO2 per year.
The refurbishment will allow Tata Steel to upgrade existing infrastructure instead of building new facilities, which the company says will save both time and money.
Tata Steel plans to award further contracts in the coming months for electrical, mechanical, and process control system upgrades.
Ryan O'Neill, managing director at Systems Group, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this important contract by Tata Steel.
"As a local company, we are proud to play a role in helping secure the future of steelmaking in South Wales.
"This project not only supports the region's economy but also helps deliver cutting-edge, low-carbon steel production."
The first phase of the project will replace more than 1.5 miles of pipework and two large water tanks.
