Port Talbot's last blast furnace shuts, ending ironmaking at the site

Tata Steel UK/Port Talbot electric arc furnace

Tata Steel closed blast furnace No. 4, the last one at Port Talbot, ending iron and primary steel production at the site. The sinter plant, some secondary steelmaking and energy systems stopped with it. Tata said the old furnaces and coke batteries had reached the end of their lives; steelmaking is due to return with the new scrap-fed electric arc furnace, and meanwhile the site rolls imported slab.

• Blast furnace 4 closed on September 30, 2024, along with the sinter plant.
• Tata said further investment in the old heavy end was neither economic nor environmentally viable.
• Port Talbot keeps rolling imported steel slab for customers until the furnace runs.
• Funding: £750M from Tata Steel plus a £500M UK government grant.