4th January 2022

Paul Wurth completes reline of ArcelorMittal Juiz de Fora blast furnaces

Paul Wurth, part of SMS group, has completed its work relining the blast furnaces of ArcelorMittal’s Juiz de Fora steel plant. The Number 2 furnace blow-in initiated in late September 2021, with the facility returning to full service.

This project presented a complex challenge for our teams. A tight schedule, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and on-the-ground factors ensured this assignment engaged considerable resources to move forward to its successful completion.

Paul Wurth began work at the site in July 2020. The relining of blast furnace number 1 was concluded by December of that year, with blow-in done in December. Attention turned to number 2 furnace, starting with the resource remobilisation in April of 2021. This continued with preparation and shutdown activities involving more than 1,200 employees, with blow-in carried out in September. The final demobilisation activities were concluded in October.

Between the two projects, our experts worked with our customer to further improve the workflow process, to ensure the health and safety of workers and to update the efficiency of the mission.

Paul Wurth has 150 years of experience in ironmaking. Today we provide a range of services to our customers, including the construction, maintenance and servicing of whole blast furnaces and Midrex® Direct Reduction Furnaces. Our technology solutions are supporting the global steel sector’s transformation towards its low-carbon, green steel future.