Vast scale of new British Steel furnace revealed

The vast size of a new furnace which will bring back steelmaking to Teesside has been revealed in new plans.

British Steel has confirmed plans to build a new Electric Arc Furnace at Lackenby, Redcar, which will use greener technology to melt scrap and produce new steel.

A planning application has now been sent to Redcar and Cleveland Council in the next step towards production starting in 2025.

A new CGI shows how a huge main building will house the Electric Arc Furnace, towering at 64.15 metres tall and covering 34,000sq m.

That is ten metres taller than the Transporter Bridge (54m), making the plant one of the biggest structures on Teesside’s skyline.

A transport hub will also be created for workers to link in with the previously announced Teesworks Service Complex, which will see a hotel, shopping complex, restaurants and a petrol station appear near the Trunk Road.

The huge investment will bring back basic steel production to Teesside, within the footprint of Teesworks and the Teesside Freeport – connecting with British Steel’s Teesside Beam Mill, at Lackenby, and the Special Profiles Mill, at Skinningrove, which both process steel for industrial uses.

It will result in direct jobs running into the hundreds with thousands more to come in the wider supply chain and during construction.

Teesworks CEO Martin Corney said: “We get things done at Teesworks and this is another great piece of news for the people of Teesside.

“We’ve put in a huge amount of hard work – including demolition and land preparation – to deliver a site where investors can move quickly. We’re looking forward to working alongside British Steel as it brings its Electric Arc Furnace to the site as we welcome even more investors.”

Tree clearance has already unveiled parts of the site not seen by the wider public for decades.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “A new electric arc furnace will see Teesside restored to its rightful place as a global leader in the steel industry, delivering well-paid jobs and investment for now and future generations.

“Our Joint Venture partners have been absolutely essential in ensuring this once-in-a-generation investment got over the line – and it’s no surprise to see work already cracking on to clear the way for the project.

“Not only does this deliver on my pledge to bring steelmaking back to Teesside, but it sends out a signal to other important investors that we deliver on our projects and promises.”

The furnace will generate heat from an electric arc between electrodes, in contrast to a blast furnace which uses coke to supply the large amount of energy needed.

British Steel from Lackenby has already been used in the construction of the £650m SeAH Wind monopile factory, which is being built at South Bank on Teesworks.