Construction work for a electric arc furnace

TransMet ESW – SekMet 5

Key project for the green transformation of steel production

On behalf of voestalpine Stahl GmbH, PORR Bau GmbH’s Upper Austria branch has been carrying out the construction work for the TransMet ESW – SekMet 5 project since June 2024. This major project combines services from the fields of industrial construction, earthworks, concrete construction, groundworks and specialised civil engineering, and will run until February 2027. The focus is on erecting the structural infrastructure for the new electric arc furnace, which will play a central role in sustainable steel production at the Linz site in future.

The construction project comprises the erection of the hall and the plant foundations for the electric arc furnace, as well as the extension of the existing LD3 steelworks. In addition, column foundations are being constructed for a new pipework bridge, a substation for the LD3 steelworks, a compensation station with an electrical building, and a dust extraction system with a base structure for the flue gas stack. The project is complemented by the construction of a drying station and extensive site clearance works, including the relocation of an existing arched hall.

Another key component of the project is Secondary Metallurgy 5 (SekMet 5). In the newly created hall extension, plant foundations and utility rooms required for the downstream metallurgical processes are being constructed. The complex integration of the new plant into the steelworks’ existing infrastructure demands the utmost precision in both planning and execution.

Impressive scales in industrial and specialist civil engineering

The scale of the project is evident from the extensive construction works involved. In the earthworks phase, around 115,000 m³ of excavated material will be moved and approximately 75,000 m³ of backfill material will be placed. Around 40,000 m³ of concrete and 4,500 tonnes of reinforcing steel are being used to construct the foundations and supporting structures. In addition, approximately 70,000 m² of formwork is being erected and 4,800 running metres of bored piles are being installed to permanently and safely transfer the heavy loads from the industrial plants into the ground.

The project is being carried out whilst one of Europe’s largest steel production sites remains in operation. This places particular demands on site logistics, health and safety, and construction scheduling. Close cooperation between the client, plant designers and the various PORR specialist departments ensures the efficient and timely delivery of this challenging industrial project.

The completion of this state-of-the-art production infrastructure will not only strengthen Linz as an industrial hub in the long term, but will also make a significant contribution to the transformation of the European steel industry.