Salzgitter, Showa Denko eye electrode recycling

Germany-based steel producer Salzgitter Group and Japan-based Showa Denko Carbon say they have forged a strategic supply partnership (SSP) that involves supplying and recycling electrodes used in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking.

As part of what Salzgitter calls a reconfiguration of metallurgy within its low-carbon steelmaking program, “the requirements for ultra-high powered graphite electrodes are set to increase,” says the steelmaker.

Salzgitter has identified Showa Denko ?MEGA electrodes, described by the companies as a European-made ladle furnace electrode, as the proper alternative to electrodes most commonly “produced by off-shore suppliers.”

The electrodes used at Salzgitter mills are to be recycled in accordance with the “Salzgitter AG 2030” corporate strategy, says Salzgitter, which adds “the two companies also intend to collaborate on the issue of reducing their carbon footprint.”

Comments Mako Takeda, CEO of Showa Denko Carbon, “Showa Denko Group has positioned the idea of sustainability as the basis of our group’s management. The SSP with Salzgitter is a tangible example of how we can co-create with other industry leaders and generate social value through innovation and business.”

Ulrich Grethe, head of the steel production business unit, at Salzgitter, says “Partnering for circular solutions is a cornerstone of our new ‘Salzgitter AG 2030’ corporate strategy. The agreement with Showa Denko Carbon has enabled us to guarantee the steps we need to take to [ensure] upfront that the production of low-carbon steel via the new production route in Salzgitter can go ahead, starting at the end of 2025.”

The Salzgitter Group has more than 150 international subsidiaries and associated companies and employs more than 24,000 people worldwide. The company has a crude steel production capacity of 7 million tons.

Showa Denko Group Showa has about 33,800 employees worldwide and operates business units in the aluminum, petrochemical, chemical, electronics and other industry sectors.