ArcelorMittal started the demolition of the existing mothballed coke batteries at its plant in Gijon after the local authorities granted the necessary approval, Kallanish learns from the company.

According to a spokesperson, the demolition of the 90 furnaces will last nearly three months and the reconstruction works will be carefully undertaken. The company is awaiting final approval of the environmental impact study by the Asturian local government in the first week of April.

According to ArcelorMittal, the project implements a new system for reducing emissions levels, a new gas washing system and a new biological plant for the treatment of wastewater.

The new coke batteries will supply coke to the entire integrated steelmaking operation of ArcelorMittal in Spain, located in both Gijon and Aviles. Currently coke is produced in Aviles by the company, but the batteries there are set to come to the end of their lifecycle in 2019.