Engineering news
Production has restarted at a steel blast furnace in South Wales after a £185 million rebuilding project.
The Number 4 blast furnace at Tata Steel's Port Talbot works was decommissioned last summer before being completely rebuilt, in one of the UK's largest industrial engineering projects of 2012.
Karl Köhler, chief executive of Tata Steel's European operations, said: “This rebuild has been a flagship investment, part of our strategy for long-term competitiveness in UK, EU and worldwide markets.”
The work took four months to complete, and formed part of a £240 million investment at the site – including more than £50 million on upgrading the steelmaking shop.
Production capacity will double to more than four million tonnes of steel a year.
Company bosses promised that the upgraded facility would have enhanced health and safety features as well as being more environmentally friendly.
Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Community trade union and chairman of the UK trade unions' steel committee, said: “The project's completion is a source of great pride and hope for the future of steelmaking in the UK. The blast furnace project created many jobs for local contracting firms, providing a real boost to the South Wales economy at a difficult time.”
He added: “Longer term, the rebuilt furnace marks the start of a new era of sustainable steelmaking in the UK.”
Wales's First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “It has been a difficult period for steelmaking globally so it is heartening to hear that production has commenced at the new blast furnace. This represents a significant long-term investment in the plant and we will continue to work closely with Tata to ensure a bright, sustainable future for the facility.
“Tata Steel has faced a challenging trading environment, but this news shows the company's continued belief in its Welsh workforce.”