Energy efficiency and circularity for ArcelorMittal in Spain
Solutions to optimize production processes and reduce emissions and waste
Energy efficiency and circularity for ArcelorMittal in Spain
Solutions to optimize production processes and reduce emissions and waste
Energy efficiency and circularity for ArcelorMittal in Spain
Solutions to optimize production processes and reduce emissions and waste
Projects to optimize consumption and manage water resources
The collaboration between ArcelorMittal and Edison Next, which began in 2018, has led to the implementation of energy efficiency and water management solutions that improve energy performance, reduce emissions and waste, and promote resource reuse from a circular economy perspective at the Gijón and Avilés sites, the two Spanish plants the industrial group operates in Asturias. In particular, at both sites, the installation of steam boilers that recover gases generated during steel production—otherwise destined for disposal—helps reduce energy inefficiencies and environmental impact, delivering benefits in terms of consumption, costs and emissions. In addition, water treatment systems enable the reuse of rainwater in Avilés, integrating it into the steam boiler supply system, and the recovery of industrial water in Gijón, used in the plant’s coke oven batteries. Both solutions are characterized by a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to meet ArcelorMittal’s specific production requirements.
The client
ArcelorMittal
Operating in 60 countries, with production facilities located in 15 nations, ArcelorMittal is one of the world’s leading industrial players in the steel sector. In 2024, the company mined more than 42 million tonnes of iron ore and shipped nearly 55 million tonnes of steel to customers across 129 countries worldwide. Strongly committed to sustainability, the company aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, firmly believing that decarbonization represents a key opportunity for competitive growth, both globally and within its operations. In Spain, ArcelorMittal is carrying out ambitious decarbonization projects at its production hubs in Avilés and Gijón. In Gijón specifically, the company is developing a power generation facility based on steel by-products, scheduled to become operational by the first quarter of 2026, which will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 1 million tonnes per year. The Avilés site, on the other hand, specializes in the production of tinplate and galvanized steel—steel coated with multiple layers of zinc to protect it from atmospheric corrosion.
Edison Next’s solution
By understanding ArcelorMittal’s needs, Edison Next has developed flexible solutions to enhance internal energy production, reduce emissions and waste, and recover resources—such as gases generated during steel production and both rainwater and industrial water—within a circular economy framework.
Specifically, high-capacity steam boilers have been installed, suitable for industrial applications requiring significant thermal energy demand. Most of these boilers can operate either exclusively or in combination with natural gas, using LD gas (a by-product of the steelmaking process) as fuel, significantly reducing overall fuel consumption.
In addition, water management systems have been implemented to meet the specific needs of each site:
- In Avilés, rainwater—an increasingly valuable resource due to extreme weather events—is recovered and reused in the steam boiler supply system.
- In Gijón, industrial water used in the plant’s coke oven batteries is recovered and reused.
These solutions were implemented in 2018 at the Gijón plant, a strategic production hub for the group, and in 2024 at Avilés.