ArcelorMittal confirms the construction of an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its steelmaking site in Dunkirk — a €1.3 billion investment which marks a major step in the decarbonization of ArcelorMittal’s steel production in France.
The start‑up of this 2-million-tonne EAF is scheduled for 2029. It will produce steel with three times less CO2 compared with a blast furnace (0.6 tonne CO2 per tonne of steel in the EAF based on a mix of scrap, HBI/DRI, and hot metal). Its funding will be supported by Energy Efficiency Certificates (CEE), a regulatory mechanism that promotes energy savings and CO₂ reduction. The amount of support will represent 50% of the €1.3 billion investment.
“The decision to proceed with building an EAF in ArcelorMittal Dunkirk, to produce low-carbon emissions steel at scale for our customers, has been made possible because we now have the conditions in place to make this project a success. The new tariff-rate quota will stem the tide of unfair imports into the EU, while the CBAM is now operating to create a more level playing field for European producers. In France, the support of the government and public authorities has been vital. We will now focus on steering the Dunkirk EAF project to completion and commercial success,” commented Geert van Poelvoorde, CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe.