End of an era as last blast furnace shuts down at Port Talbot steelworks

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The last blast furnace at one of the biggest steelworks in the world is shutting down, leaving it unable to make its own virgin steel.

Nearly 2,000 jobs will be lost at Tata Steel UK’s Port Talbot plant as blast furnace number four ceases production.

The ironworks will enter a transition phase until 2027 when steelmaking will resume through a £1.25 billion electric arc furnace.

The new furnace uses electric current to melt scrap steel or iron to produce steel, whereas blast furnaces use coke, a carbon-intensive fuel made from coal to produce steel.

Moving to electric arc steel production will reduce the UK’s overall CO2 emissions by around 1.5%.

In its heyday during the 1960s, more than 18,000 people were employed at Port Talbot’s Abbey steelworks.

But the site has gone through many periods of change, which has sometimes resulted in strikes and job cuts.

Tata Steel worker dressed in red and blue boiler suit touches his hard hat, standing in front of steelworks
The Port Talbot area has been producing steel for more than 100 years (Ben Birchall/PA)

Indian conglomerate Tata purchased the steelworks in 2007.

Dean Cartwright, the works manager for coke, sinter and iron, said local residents will see larger plumes as steam coming from the furnace as production is wound down, as well as prolonged “whooshing” sounds.

“We have started to change the burden – the raw materials we put in the top of the furnace – to make sure the slag formed on top of the iron is the right type for this process, and reducing the amount of coal we inject into the furnace,” he said.

“Over the next four days, we will stop adding new raw materials and bring the burden down to low levels within the furnace.

“Please remember that we have our experts monitoring every single aspect of this process as it progresses, to ensure we bring the furnace to a close safely and calmly.”

As the second of its two blast furnaces ceases production, businesses in the supply chain impacted by the closure can seek funding to overcome short-term challenges.

They can apply to the supply chain transition flexible fund, which is part of an overall £80 million package provided by the UK Government.

The fund will be delivered through a partnership between Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government’s Business Wales.

Group of workers holding placards reading 'Save our steel'
Trade unions and workers have campaigned for many years to keep the Port Talbot plant open (Ben Birchall/PA)

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, who is chairwoman of the Port Talbot transition board, said: “Businesses and workers that supply Tata have been feeling the impact of the changes at Port Talbot for months.

“That’s why I announced this £13.5 million fund within weeks of the new UK Government coming into office, and have worked at pace with partners in Welsh Government and the council to get applications open.

“I encourage affected businesses to come forward and check their eligibility for this financial support, as part of the wider support package we are putting in place. This Government will back workers and businesses whatever happens.”


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