Construction work on ArcelorMittal's future electric steelworks for long products has already begun. The first casting (solidification of liquid steel) at the new facility in Gijón (Asturias) is expected in the first quarter of 2026. Along the way, an investment of 213 million euros will transform the plant with a reduction of more than 35% of its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

The construction of the electric arc furnace is the first major investment in the company's decarbonisation programme in Europe. This milestone places Asturias' long products division at the forefront of decarbonisation on the continent. This new state-of-the-art technology will enable the production of high value-added rails and wire rod with a capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per year.

Security and environment
The new production process will incorporate the highest safety standards. In addition, the reduction in CO₂ emissions, which will exceed 35% in the first phase of the operation, could reach 1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year by the end of the transition phase.

The production of steel with a low carbon footprint will be achieved by dispensing with a raw material generated through the use of fossil fuels in a blast furnace. The new process will be fuelled primarily by iron scrap and pre-reduced iron, and will use renewably generated electricity depending on its availability.

Latest technology available
ArcelorMittal Europe's CEO for long products, Sanjay Samaddar, said, "This investment will lead to the implementation in Gijón of the latest technology available for electric steel mills, and will contribute to meeting the growing demand from our customers for rails and wire rod with a low carbon footprint in the automotive, construction and railway infrastructure industries, among others; particularly in industries with strict carbon footprint criteria for public sector contracts."

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Philippe Meyran, CEO of the Asturias Cluster, made up of the Asturias, Etxebarri, Lesaka and Sagunto plants, explained with gratitude, "We have reached this milestone thanks to the support of the public authorities, our clients, our partners, the whole project team... We are moving towards our goal of having a more sustainable industry within the natural paradise that is Asturias."

^{Photo: ArcelorMittal}