Canadian Government Commits $420 Million to Algoma EAF

“Having a commitment of this magnitude from the Government of Canada shows leadership towards a net-zero, climate-resilient Canada, and is so very important as we look to make our proposed transformation to EAF steelmaking a reality,” Algoma Steel CEO Michael McQuade said in a statement on Monday, July 5.

Underscoring the importance of the project, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the government’s financial support Monday on site at the mill.

The money from the Canadian government includes as much as C$200 million ($162 million U.S.) from Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The SIF money will be funneled though Canada’s “Net Zero Accelerator,” a program aimed at expediting decarbonization projects. And the Canada Infrastructure Bank has agreed in principle to contribute another $220 million ($178 million U.S.), Algoma said.

Switching to EAF steelmaking could reduce Algoma’s carbon emissions by approximately 70%. And the change would make “green steel” available for use in cars, consumer products and infrastructure upgrades, the company said.

Algoma announced in May that it planned an IPO, proceeds of which could also be used to fund its transformation to EAF production. The goal: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by getting rid of the carbon-intensive coking process associated with traditional integrated steelmaking.

The move is part of a broader global trend.

U.S. Steel has replaced the blast furnace at its Fairfield Works in Alabama with an EAF. And its mill in Košice, Slovakia, is said to be considering an EAF as Europe looks to decarbonize.

Other integrated steelmakers in Europe – Swedish steelmaker SSAB, for example – already have plans to replace their blast furnaces with EAFs.

The backdrop for such decisions: The steel industry accounts for 8% of total global CO2 emissions. And most developed countries have announced or begun implementing plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Algoma makes hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil and plate for a wide range of industries, including automotive, infrastructure and defense.

By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com