Steel Mills
August 14, 2019
Blast Furnaces Still Strong at Integrated Mills
Written by Sandy Williams
Electric arc furnace minimills may have a cost advantage in steel production today, but there are still 19 traditional blast furnaces going strong in the United States.
Blast furnaces dominate about three-fourths of global steelmaking, but only three steel producers in the U.S. currently are using BF or basic oxygen furnace technology: U.S. Steel, ArcelorMittal and AK Steel. Combined, their 19 furnaces have an annual production capability of approximately 36 million tons. In total, U.S. steelmakers produce roughly 90 million tons annually.
