ArcelorMittal streamlines train unloading
In cooperation with ArcelorMittal and DB Cargo, Innofreight has built two partially automated unloading machines for the steel mill in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany.
(Photo: Deutsche Bahn AG, Volker Emersleben, Innofreight)
This is the first time a steel mill has switched its entire raw materials supply to Innofreight technology. Each of the two stationary unloading machines (SUM) developed by Innofreight can handle up to 1,000 tph and around 3.5 Mtpa of ore, limestone and coke are unloaded.
The integrated dedusting system protects the environment from fine dust and emissions. Robots integrated into the plant control system handle the shunting.
In addition to building the unloading machines, Innofreight delivered 352 InnoWaggons and 1,408 MonTainers. These lighter wagons and the special containers allow more efficient loading of freight trains. They can now transport 20% more load to Eisenhüttenstadt, so six freight trains can be saved per week.
ArcelorMittal aims to be manufacturing fossil-free steel at scale by 2040. Changing raw materials will require different containers in the future, but the wagons can still be used due to the modularity of the Innofreight system. Before then, DB Cargo will start transporting green sponge iron – that is, iron produced from a direct ore reduction process using green hydrogen for power.
DB Cargo moves around 700,000 tpa of steel products from the plant.
