French steel sheet manufacturer Industeel, part of the ArcelorMittal group, has embarked on a major modernization project at its sheet rolling plant in Charleroi to improve sustainability. The company commissioned German plant manufacturer SMS Group to upgrade its walking beam furnace with state-of-the-art hydrogen-compatible burners, targeting a 25 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
Retrofitting a historic furnace to be more environmentally friendly future
Originally commissioned in 1969, Industeel Belgium's walking beam furnace is used to reheat steel plates for further processing. As part of the new modernization program, SMS group will undertake a full-scale renovation aimed at reducing the plant's carbon footprint. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026, with dismantling and installation scheduled during the six-week summer break to minimize disruption to production.
Scope of the upgrade
The project includes:
- Complete replacement of the furnace lining to improve thermal performance efficiency
- Installation of a high-performance heat recovery unit to optimize energy recovery
- Integration of flat roof burners
- Deployment of SMS Group's X-Pact Prometheus combustion management system for fuel optimization
These improvements combine to provide higher operational reliability, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.
