ArcelorMittal Belgium commissions waste biomass processing for its Steelanol plant

In Belgium, ArcelorMittal Belgium has announced the commissioning of the 35 ME Torero project, which aims to process sustainable biomass (initially in the form of wood waste that cannot be used for other applications) for use as a raw material in its blast furnace at the Ghent steelworks (Belgium).

The use of bio-coal in the blast furnace process will produce biogas, which will be converted into ethanol by the Steelanol plant.

This ethanol can then be used in the composition of chemical products, including transport fuels, paints, plastics, clothing and even cosmetic fragrances, helping to support the chemical industry’s decarbonization efforts.

The ethanol will be marketed jointly by ArcelorMittal and LanzaTech under the Carbalyst brand.

This project will reduce annual carbon emissions by 112,500 metric tons. The Torero plant will convert 88,000 tons of wood waste into 37,500 tons of bio-coal per year.