ArcelorMittal announced ArcelorMittal Belval & Differdange has approved a revamp of the core components of the Belval electric arc furnace (EAF) in Luxembourg.

The EAF, which was commissioned in 1997, will be equipped with a new lower shell with a new "Fin-type" anode technology, a new tilting frame as well as a renewed upper shell. Thanks to this investment, productivity and production capacity will increase; transformation and maintenance costs will decrease.

Construction is expected to start in March 2013; this will require a shut-down of around two weeks. The new furnace is expected to be commissioned in April 2013.

The total investment amount is around €5.9m and is part of the "LUX 2016" agreement.

As steelnews.com previously reported, Siemens VAI Metals Technologies was awarded the contract for the EAF revamp. Click here to read the story.