voestalpine Unveils Cutting-Edge Steel Facility in Kapfenberg

Voestalpine's Kapfenberg Special Steel Plant: A Technological Marvel

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Today, voestalpine is celebrating the grand opening of its cutting-edge special steel plant in Kapfenberg, a momentous achievement in the production of high-performance materials for the global automotive, energy, and aerospace sectors. This remarkable facility, renowned as the world's most advanced in terms of digitalization and sustainability, is a beacon of progress, marking the first of its kind to grace Europe in four decades. Not only is it a technological marvel, but it's also a boon to the local economy, bringing substantial benefits to the region.

When this state-of-the-art plant reaches full operational capacity, it will have the remarkable ability to produce an astounding 205,000 tons of special steels every year, catering to the most discerning of customer segments.

Herbert Eibensteiner, the dynamic CEO of voestalpine AG, exclaimed, "Today's inauguration of the special steel plant in Kapfenberg is an historic milestone and a decisive leap forward for the voestalpine Group. It propels us to new heights of competitiveness in the global market. Simultaneously, this substantial investment is a testament to our commitment to maintaining the region's prosperity and job opportunities over the long term."

The construction of this plant secures the livelihoods of approximately 3,500 employees at voestalpine's sites in Kapfenberg and Mürzzuschlag, encompassing voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl, voestalpine Böhler Aerospace, and voestalpine Böhler Bleche. Additionally, the plant itself will provide employment for around 150 dedicated individuals.

Franz Rotter, a Member of the Management Board of voestalpine AG and Head of the High Performance Metals Division, acknowledged, "The expertise of our workforce at the Kapfenberg site was the driving force behind selecting this location for our new special steel plant. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the employees whose unwavering dedication over the past months and years has transformed today's dream into a reality. Their daily commitment will help us solidify our leading position in tool steels and special steels."

The new plant is a paragon of digitalization, meeting the most advanced Industry 4.0 standards. It seamlessly handles around 8,000 process data points concurrently, with all melting processes controlled from a central hub. Employees receive extensive training in robotics, sensors, and data analysis at the company's Digitalization Competence Center. Moreover, the focus on digital workplaces is evident in the training center at Kapfenberg, where the workforce of tomorrow is being groomed for success. A cutting-edge campus for 60 apprentices is also in the works, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025 after breaking ground in the summer of 2023.

One of the standout features of this new special steel plant is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. It embodies environmentally friendly and sustainable steel production, with excess heat channeled into the district heating system and cooling operating through a closed-loop system. Crucially, the plant runs entirely on green electricity, epitomizing eco-conscious manufacturing.

The groundbreaking ceremony for this extraordinary facility took place in 2018, heralding a new era to replace the old steel plant. Currently, the new plant is in test operations and undergoing product range certification. Until certification is complete, it operates in parallel with the old plant, with full operation expected during the 2023/24 business year. This remarkable investment amounts to approximately EUR 467 million, an increase from the original EUR 350 million due to challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain hiccups. According to a September 2023 Industrial Science Institute (IWI) study, this six-year investment has sparked significant economic growth both nationally and regionally. The construction phase alone contributed around EUR 350 million, with Styria reaping benefits of up to EUR 230 million. Furthermore, beyond securing 3,500 jobs at voestalpine's Styrian sites in Kapfenberg and Mürzzuschlag, the project also safeguarded around 2,500 jobs in Styria during construction, and over 4,200 across Austria.

The High Performance Metals Division of the voestalpine Group is dedicated to producing and processing high-performance materials, offering services such as heat treatment, high-tech surface treatments, and additive manufacturing processes, all enhanced by digital technologies. With a global network of about 140 sites, the division delivers material availability and processing, serving various industries, including automotive suppliers, oil and gas exploration, mechanical engineering, consumer goods, and aerospace. Sustainability is integral to their mission, and they are a leader in tool steel and high-speed steel, among other products. In the 2022/23 business year, the division achieved a revenue of approximately EUR 3.8 billion, with about half generated outside Europe, and an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 562 million, employing around 13,700 individuals worldwide.

The voestalpine Group, a globally renowned steel and technology conglomerate, leverages its unparalleled expertise in materials and processing across over 500 Group companies and 50+ countries. They are a vital partner to industries like automotive, consumer goods, aerospace, and oil & natural gas, excelling in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections. Committed to global climate goals, they're leading the way in decarbonizing steel production through their greentec steel program. In the 2022/23 business year, the Group achieved a revenue of EUR 18.2 billion and an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 2.5 billion, with a workforce of approximately 51,200 worldwide.

Source : voestalpine