A walking beam furnace has been ordered for the in-house operations of the largest steel subsidiary of the Salzgitter Group. The furnace will improve their sustainability and production efforts and is being provided by a company with North American locations.
Tenova is crafting the furnace for Salzgitter Flachstahl. The furnace includes the discharging roller table, charging and discharging machine, and all related electrical, measuring, and control systems. It has a capacity of 320 t/h and is designed to process slabs — blocks of cast steel — in single and double-row configurations.
Antonio Catalano EVP, downstream business unit Tenova
“The new walking beam furnace is a keystone in our journey towards a more sustainable steel production,” stated Thomas Routschek, operations director of Hot Flat Products Division at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. “Thanks to Tenova’s advanced technology, we will be able to reduce our energy consumption by up to 30% during the process of reheating the slabs. This project represents a decisive step in minimizing our CO₂ footprint and enhancing the overall energy efficiency of our hot strip mill.”
“We are proud to strengthen our collaboration with one of Germany’s leading steel producers, supporting their goals for energy efficiency and sustainable production,” shared Antonio Catalano, EVP downstream business unit at Tenova.
The furnace features a combustion air pre-heating system to reduce overall energy consumption and will be equipped with hydrogen burners and oxygen injection zones, optimizing combustion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. The heat recovery system will capture waste heat to generate steam that will be distributed throughout the plant, thereby reducing the overall plant energy demand.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines annually and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter is from theJune 2025 Buyers Guide print edition.
In 2025, procuring nearly anything has become a bit more “interesting,” shall we say, with the complete and total shake up of the world’s economy with hasty and heavy tariffs imposed by the U.S. on the rest of the world.
For posterity, let me record a few basic facts about what is happening. On April 2, 2025, newly re-elected U.S. President, Donald J. Trump, imposed what was described as “reciprocal tariffs” on nearly every country in the world. April 2 was chosen because President Trump did not want people to think that he was just kidding by imposing the tariffs on April 1, April Fools’ Day. All previous trade agreements were instantly and unilaterally eliminated.
The tariffs were, in fact, not truly reciprocal as one might simply understand that word. Instead, each nation’s actual tariffs were combined with their trade deficit and currency manipulation and then divided in half to arrive at what President Trump called “U.S.A. Discounted Reciprocal Tariffs.” No country escaped. Everyone had at least a 10% tariff. China was hit with a 34% reciprocal tariff – their calculated tariff was 67%. India received a 26% reciprocal tariff – their calculated tariff was 52%.
Roughly a week later, while the world was still reeling, all tariffs were reduced to 10% assuming the country did not retaliate. Only one country retaliated – China. China’s tariffs have ranged as high as 145% and as low as 30% as the two countries struggle to come to an agreement. It is safe to describe the relationship between the two countries as very tense.
Understanding Tariffs
Before exploring how these tariffs might impact the North America heat treating and thermal processing markets, let me first make two recommendations for anyone wanting to learn more about tariffs and good, sound economics.
The best book I’ve ever read about tariffs is an old classic book written by Frederic Bastiat entitled, Economic Sophisms. The book is spot on and simple and shows how tariffs are not generally helpful from an economic perspective. Bastiat was also the author of another great, short book called The Law. I recommend both.
Another excellent book that discusses tariffs is Henry Hazlitt’s Economics in One Lesson, especially chapter eleven, “Who’s ‘Protected’ by Tariffs.”
Of course, economics aren’t the only reason a country imposes tariffs. Preserving industries critical to national defense is one such non-economic reason often cited for imposing tariffs.
The Upside of Tariffs
So, what are the potential impacts of tariffs on the North American thermal processing industry? Given that tariffs are, in essence, a tax, there are few true economic gains to be made. However, it is very possible that our commercial heat treater brothers and sisters may benefit significantly from tariffs, especially if more and more manufacturing returns to the U.S. This return of manufacturing would also potentially benefit many oven, furnace, and induction equipment manufacturers, as well as component suppliers. Any increase in manufacturing State-side will bode well for industry suppliers.
The Downside of Tariffs
The potential downsides are legion. The most notable? Instead of stimulating manufacturing in the U.S., it is possible that tariffs will start to significantly impact exports. If that happens, manufacturing will take it on the chin due to artificially restricted demand. Not only would this hurt many of the companies that read this publication and perform their own in-house thermal processing, but it will have the trickle-down effect of drying up demand for new furnaces, ovens, and components.
Tariffs also could be a real boon for furnace and oven manufacturers located within the borders of the U.S. Assuming the tariffs persist (which is doubtful), companies building furnaces in the U.S. will have a significant competitive advantage. However, the opposite is true for furnace manufacturers who build internationally and ship their equipment into the U.S. Currently, there are a significant number of international furnace manufacturers doing business in the U.S. These companies are at risk.
The Real Goal of Trump’s Tariffs
If the real goal of Trump’s tariffs is to lower all tariffs everywhere, this whole tariff chapter should end well, ultimately. If, however, President Trump really does “loooove tariffs” as he has claimed, the new Golden Age will not be as golden as it might have been.
A vacuum induction melting strip casting furnace (VIM-SC) was commissioned for a manufacturer in North Carolina.
Consarc Corporation and Vulcan Elements announced the commissioning and delivery of the furnace at Vulcan Elements’ new facility in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the effort to re-shore rare earth magnet production and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Source: Consarc
This furnace enables the rapid solidification of Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) alloys—critical materials for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, defense systems, wind turbines, and advanced electronics.
Jai Narayan President Consarc Corporation Source: Linkedin
“Consarc is proud to play a vital role in reestablishing America’s rare-earth magnet manufacturing base,” said Jai Narayan, president of Consarc Corporation.
John Maslin, chief executive officer of Vulcan Elements said, “Vulcan Elements’ mission is to onshore a secure, traceable, and transparent rare earth magnet supply chain…As demonstrated by this newly-commissioned strip casting furnace, Consarc is a core part of that ecosystem, and Vulcan Elements is committed to developing and galvanizing domestic equipment production.”
John Maslin CEO Vulcan Elements Source: Vulcan Elements
Press release is available in its original form here.
In today’s editor’s page, Heat TreatToday‘s Daily Editor, Tiffany Ward, provides a history of U.S. Steel and the recent Nippon Steel merger.
What is U.S. Steel’s history and what does the future look like for this company after a new merger? This short, informative post fills in the gap.
U.S. Steel Yesterday
If you walk along a Pittsburgh street, the phrase “Steel City” will likely appear on a wall mural or passerby’s hoodie. In 1901 four men (J.P. Morgan, Charles Schwab, Andrew Carnegie, and Elbert H. Gary), formed the United States Steel Corporation (known simply as U.S. Steel). Its global headquarters are still located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it has a huge local impact.
From its inception, U.S. Steel has made an impact across the country in producing steel for famous structures such as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the United Nations Building in New York City, the “Three Sisters” Bridges in Pittsburgh, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and many others. During the Great Depression, the company suffered an all-time low in sales, but recovered, and by 2003 became the fifth largest steel producer in the world.
“Three Sisters” Bridges in Pittsburgh. Source: Bridges and Tunnels
U.S. Steel Today
Almost twenty years later, in 2022, U.S. Steel produced less steel than it had in its founding year, over a century earlier. This was the culmination of a long-standing decline in steel production in the United States, which affected many U.S. producers. On December 18, 2023, Nippon Steel Corporation, a Japanese company, made a $14.9 billion acquisition offer for U.S. Steel and the two companies entered into an official merger conversation. The potential merger agreement between Nippon and U.S. Steel included Nippon’s pledge to invest $2.7 billion to modernize U.S. Steel’s facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and to keep U.S. Steel’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, making the agreement a locally invested issue.
The merger was met with political and economic controversy, facing direct executive orders and review interventions. Both former President Joe Biden, and current President Donald Trump made efforts to block the deal. On January 3, 2025, former President Joe Biden prohibited the acquisition through executive order, reserving executive powers to issue further orders on this matter if needed. According to a statement from The White House, the motivation for such a move was “a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry represents an essential national security priority and is critical for resilient supply chains.” The Biden administration delayed, however, in enforcing that initial order. On April 7, 2025, President Donald Trump made use of those previously reserved powers to direct the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review the acquisition deal to see if further action may be appropriate. President Trump’s rationale mirrored that of former President Biden. He stated to reporters on April 13, 2025, “I don’t think a foreign company should control U.S. Steel.”
Despite this opposition, U.S. Steel affirmed in a press release on April 17 that the two companies were still in a “definite merger agreement,” and referred to the deal as a “pending transaction.”
In a recent development, President Donald Trump changed his tone of opposition to the deal. On May 23, the President made a social media post in support of the merger, which was met with deep appreciation by U.S. Steel in a corresponding press release.
U.S. Steel Tomorrow
U.S. Steel’s Website Logo Source: U.S. Steel Corporation
On June 13, 2025 President Donald Trump signed an executive order permitting the deal to commence, contingent upon an agreement with the Treasury Department to address national security concerns. With White House support being the most significant component to the merger’s conclusion, spirits have now buoyed around its development.
The impending deal brings with it a multi-billion dollar infusion into U.S. Steel’s infrastructure. Nippon now plans to invest $4 billion in a U.S. based steel mill, with the intention of investing $11 billion in total infrastructure projects by 2028.
The prospect of revitalized steel production in the United States brings excitement to many in the heat treatment industry.
This article is being updated to include the most recent developments. Last updated on 06-17-2025.
“About Us – History,” United States Steel Corporation, Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.ussteel.com/about-us/history.
Biden, Jr., Joseph R. “Order Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation,” White House Archives. January 3, 2025. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/03/order-regarding-the-proposed-acquisition-of-united-states-steel-corporation-by-nippon-steel-corporation/
Biden, Jr., Joseph R. “Statement from President Joe Biden,” White House Archives. January 3, 2025. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/03/statement-from-president-joe-biden-13/.
Boselovic, L. “Steel Standing: U.S. Steel Celebrates 100 Years,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20181012210047/http://old.post-gazette.com/businessnews/20010225ussteel2.asp
“Cleveland-Cliffs Proposes to Acquire U.S. Steel,” Cliffs. Cleveland Cliffs, August 13, 2023. https://www.clevelandcliffs.com/news/news-releases/detail/600/cleveland-cliffs-proposes-to-acquire-u-s-steel.
“Nippon Steel to invest $4 billion for new U.S. Steel mill,” Reuters, Accessed May 28, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/20/nippon-steel-to-invest-4-billion-for-new-us-steel-mill-reuters-.html
Trump, Donald J. “Review of Proposed United States Steel Corporation Acquisition,” The White House. April 7, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/review-of-proposed-united-states-steel-corporation-acquisition/.
Trump, Donald J. “Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation,” The White House. June 13, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/regarding-the-proposed-acquisition-of-the-united-states-steel-corporation-by-nippon-steel-corporation/
“Trump Opposes Foreign Control of US Steel amid Nippon Steel’s $14 Billion Bid,” The Economic Times, April 14, 2025. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/trump-opposes-foreign-control-of-us-steel-amid-nippon-steels-14-billion-bid/articleshow/120267416.cms.
“United States Steel Corporation,” Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.ussteel.com.
“United States Steel Corporation to Release First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on May 1, 2025,” United States Steel Corporation, April 17, 2025. https://www.ussteel.com/newsroom/-/blogs/united-states-steel-corporation-to-release-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-on-may-1-2025
“U. S. Steel Statement on President Trump’s Leadership,” United States Steel Corporation, May 28, 2025. https://www.ussteel.com/newsroom/-/blogs/u-s-steel-statement-on-president-trump-s-leadership
The largest family-owned heat treating company in the United States announced the opening of its seventh U.S. heat treat operation.
Jamie Jones President Solar Atmospheres
Solar Atmospheres will acquire an existing industrial facility located in Berlin, Connecticut. The 28,000-square-foot facility is located in the Spruce Brook Industrial Park and will further expand the company’s capabilities in the Northeast region.
“We are excited to establish a new presence in Connecticut,” said Jamie Jones, president of Solar Atmospheres. “This strategic location allows us to…continue supporting the aerospace, medical, and commercial manufacturing markets throughout New England.”
The company provides vacuum heat treating solutions. This new heat treat operation is slated for completion in 2026.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A site in Oklahoma is the planned future home of a $4-billion dollar smelting operation. The plant would have a capacity of producing 600,000 metric tons of primary aluminum each year that would nearly double current domestic output for the United States.
Governor Kevin Stitt Source: Sengov
Emirates Global Aluminiumplans to build a primary aluminum plant in the Sooner State. If all goes accordingly, the plant will create up to 1,000 new jobs, and 4,000 jobs during its construction.
The plan is currently undergoing a feasibility study, however, Emirates Global Aluminium already has aluminum operations in the United States under EGA Spectro Alloys, the manufacturer of secondary aluminum alloys.
“We want more goods to be manufactured in Oklahoma and EGA is the perfect partner,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “My administration has worked closely with the company for over a year to clear the way for the first new primary aluminum production plant in the United States for more than four decades.”
“The United States has been an important market for EGA for several decades, and we know there is strong demand for our high-quality metal ‘made in America’,” stated Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban CEO EGA Source: EGA
Primary aluminum is created by dissolving aluminum oxide in a cryolite solution and applying electrolysis to extract a pure metal. Securing an affordable electric power source will be a major factor in the speed at which this agreement moves forward. Primary aluminum is used in domestic automotive, energy, construction, and aerospace sectors.
If its current deadlines are met, construction would begin next year, and the plant would begin operations by 2029.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Sources
$4B Plan for First US Smelter in 45 Years. American Machinist. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.americanmachinist.com/news/article/55291130/4b-proposal-for-first-us-smelter-in-45-years-emirates-global-aluminium.
Hanne Simensen Executive Vice President Hydro Aluminium Metal
Two companies have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to develop low-carbon aluminum casting products for the automotive industry. This will serve to accelerate decarbonization efforts and support car manufacturers in reaching their sustainability goals.
Hydro and Nemak have signed the LOI, with the intention that the decarbonization will be done by using more post-consumer scrap and changing to cleaner energy sources like natural gas and electrical boilers at Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil. The long-term ambition is to develop foundry alloy aluminum solutions qualified for automotive applications with a CO2 footprint below 3.0 kg CO2 per kilo aluminum. The objective is to utilize the full potential of aluminum as a low-carbon solution in casting components, such as engine and structural components for vehicles.
“This can make a difference for automotive companies looking to decarbonize their supply chains and meet ambitious sustainability goals,” says Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President for Hydro Aluminium Metal.
Hydro currently supplies Nemak with Hydro REDUXA primary foundry alloy (PFA), with an estimated carbon footprint below 4.0 kg CO2 per kilo aluminum. This is 25 percent of the global average and the LOI aims to further reduce the CO2 footprint by 25 percent. Hydro and Nemak share the decarbonization target of making net-zero products by 2050 or earlier.
Armando Tamez CEO Nemak
For more than 40 years, there has been continuous growth in the use of aluminum in the automotive industry. This is due to its light weight, alloy strength, corrosion resistance and processing possibilities.
“As the automotive industry accelerates toward sustainability. . . aluminum is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of electric and hybrid vehicles. Through our collaboration with Hydro, we are enhancing our lightweighting solutions to drive sustainable mobility forward,” says Armando Tamez, Chief Executive Officer for Nemak.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A company in the automotive industry is expanding its hardening plant and has ordered a new vacuum furnace. The furnace introduces a heat treatment strategy for large die processing.
Maciej Korecki Vice President of the Vacuum Segment SECO/WARWICK Source: SECO/WARWICK
The Vector vacuum furnace produced for Isoflama by SECO/WARWICK Group will help to achieve an effective solution for the heat treatment of dedicated parts – the hardening of very large dies for large presses used in the automotive industry. It is also equipped with an efficient cooling system and a large working zone with increased load support beam capacity, enabling work with very heavy dies.
“The customer wanted to shorten the heat treatment cycle time. We have used a number of modifications in this furnace, which are a response to the commercial heat-treating plant’s specific needs.” commented Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
Łukasz Chwiałkowski, sales manager for this project, adds, “This time too, we have created a unique furnace based on a standard solution. We have reinforced the support beam under the hearth to increase the process load rating by more than 60%. This was a key modification which will allow this Brazilian commercial heat treater to process heavy and large dies for the automotive industry.“
Press release is available in its original form here.
The Mexico heat treatment industry has a new vacuum furnace supplier entity – ECM Mexico, doing business as MEXVAC ECM, S.A. DE C.V., a subsidiary of ECM USA, Inc.
ECM Mexico‘s team is led by Pierre-Loic Rousset, and Dennis Beauchesne, and includes Juan Cruz (operations manager Mexico), and José López (field service & PLC Engineer). They are supported by the entire ECM USA team and are excited to announce this milestone in their continued dedication to expand service support in Mexico.
Press release is available in its original form here.
After 15 years of collaboration, a new CAB furnace designed for production of heat exchangers for delivery vehicles, trucks, and cars is set to begin operating in Monterrey Mexico.
This 15-year collaboration between SECO/WARWICK and their Asian partner began in 2010 when the two began working together on solutions for heat exchanger production for trucks, passenger cars, and new energy technologies. The new CAB line that will operate in Mexico is equipped with a thermal degreasing furnace, preheating chambers, a radiation furnace, a deicing furnace, a final cooling chamber, and an advanced control system. These features are designed to meet the requirements of the automotive industry, as well as ensure long-term and reliable operation.
Liu Yedong Managing Director SECO/WARWICK China.Piotr Skarbiński Vice President of Aluminum and CAB Products Segment SECO/WARWICK
“We can say that this is the jubilee 15th order, exactly on the 15th anniversary of our cooperation beginning,” said Piotr Skarbiński, vice president of the Aluminum and CAB Products Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
“The CAB line with a 1,400 mm wide belt ensures excellent temperature uniformity across the entire width, which translate into the final product quality,”Liu Yedong, managing director of SECO/WARWICK China added.
Press release is available in its original form here.
