Feralpi launches electric billet heating pilot to reduce steelmaking emissions

Feralpi Group has launched an industrial pilot for electrically-conducted billet heating at its facility in Lonato del Garda, Italy, marking the first European application of the technology in the construction steel supply chain.

The pilot uses Joule-effect technology to heat billets rapidly and in a controlled manner before rolling, replacing natural gas with electricity from renewable sources in the final stage of the reheating process. The system combines conventional gas-fired reheating furnaces with direct electric heating.

Developed within the framework of the European Union-funded Modiplant project, the industrial-scale demonstrator aims to reduce direct carbon emissions by replacing fossil-based gas with renewable electricity. For the portion of production processed through the pilot, the final heating stage operates without direct combustion emissions.

The technology is also expected to improve energy efficiency and metal yield through faster heat transfer and more uniform temperatures, while reducing processing times and scale formation.

Feralpi said the pilot will help validate the technology under industrial conditions and build operational expertise for potential wider applications. However, extending hybrid reheating across the entire rolling mill would require a redesign of the reheating cycle and further investment, with future implementation dependent on economic viability.

The Feralpi Group is one of Europe's leading steel producers, supplying both construction and specialty steel markets.