ESF Elbe-Stahlwerke Feralpi GmbH, a steel plant in Riesa, Germany, has inaugurated a new electrically powered rolling mill, a significant step towards climate-friendly steel production.

The mill, the first in Germany with no direct CO2 emissions, so-called Scope 1 emissions, during production due to its induction heating system, aims to strengthen Feralpi's global competitiveness and sustainable production.

The investment costs more than EUR 220 million and is Feralpi's largest investment in Germany. It includes a 300-meter-long roller table directly linked to the existing continuous casting plant for energy efficiency and lower emissions, and is expected to create 100 new jobs.

Feralpi President Giuseppe Pasini warned that high energy prices in Germany are jeopardizing industry competitiveness and stressed the need to recognize scrap as a strategic raw material for the circular economy.