The Last of the Blast Furnaces
Tata Steel has ceased operations of Blast Furnace 5 (seen on the left) at its Port Talbot plant in south Wales, as part of its ongoing restructuring programme. Blast Furnace 4 (on the right) will shut down in a matter of days at the end September 2024 and will thus end Port Talbot's (and the UK’s) ability to produce liquid iron from iron ore.
The decision is driven not so much by climate change but by the need to cut financial losses, reportedly exceeding £1 million per day. An electric arc furnace will be commissioned around 2027 in a move towards more sustainable production methods.
In this scene, Class 66 No. 66105, is seen passing the Blast Furnaces with steel coil in tow, on the 06:40 Margam to Trostre working (6B26).
The Last of the Blast Furnaces
Tata Steel has ceased operations of Blast Furnace 5 (seen on the left) at its Port Talbot plant in south Wales, as part of its ongoing restructuring programme. Blast Furnace 4 (on the right) will shut down in a matter of days at the end September 2024 and will thus end Port Talbot's (and the UK’s) ability to produce liquid iron from iron ore.
The decision is driven not so much by climate change but by the need to cut financial losses, reportedly exceeding £1 million per day. An electric arc furnace will be commissioned around 2027 in a move towards more sustainable production methods.
In this scene, Class 66 No. 66105, is seen passing the Blast Furnaces with steel coil in tow, on the 06:40 Margam to Trostre working (6B26).