Infrabuild to install new bowls for Laverton EAF as part of capacity-expansion program

The country’s second-largest steelmaker, InfraBuild, has said it’s upping capacity at its two electric arc furnace facilities, with the company announcing it has taken delivery of two new EAF bowls at its Laverton Melt Shop at Melbourne.

According to a statement on Wednesday from the company, which runs the nation’s only steelmaking EAFs, the bowls are part of upgrades lifting capacity at Laverton by 25 per cent to a million tonnes per annum (Mtpa.) 

The two bowls will be in operation this month, “enabling a larger tap mass and supporting increased output” and operating in six-week rotations, with the one not in use getting relined before being returned into service.

Infrabuild said it is also increasing capacity to 680,000 tpa at its Sydney site and has begun studies on “the optimal path to reach 1 Mtpa” there.

Infrabuild’s website lists the current total capacity for recycled steel at 1.4 Mtpa across its sites. Infrabuild also operates ten manufacturing mills, as well as distribution facilities.

“Our ability to produce more sustainable steel means we are here ready to help our  customers and the construction industry transform so we have a more sustainable  construction industry,” said CEO Francisco Irazusta.

Infrabuild’s owner is Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance, with the steel recycler described in August as “the last major piece of Gupta’s industrial portfolio, a business that once spanned from Europe to Australia and into the United States.”  

GFG operated the Whyalla Steelworks until February, before they were forced into administration by the South Australian government. A sale process is currently underway for the steelworks and their associated assets.  

Picture: credit Infrabuild

Further reading

InfraBuild’s CEO: ‘Business as usual’ despite Whyalla administration

InfraBuild shares result “consistent to last year”

Infrabuild increases throughput at Sydney steel mill