ArcelorMittal Confirms €1.3B Dunkirk EAF Investment
Steel News | 2026-02-12 07:01:08
Separately, ArcelorMittal is commissioning a €500 million electrical steel unit at Mardyck, expanding capacity to support Europe’s industrial and automotive electrification.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): ArcelorMittal has confirmed the construction of a 2-million-tonne electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Dunkirk steelmaking site in France, marking a strategic €1.3 billion investment to accelerate low-carbon steel production.
The EAF, scheduled to start operations in 2029, will cut CO₂ emissions to 0.6 tonnes per tonne of steel—three times lower than a traditional blast furnace—using a mix of scrap, HBI/DRI and hot metal.
The project will receive support through France’s Energy Efficiency Certificates (CEE) scheme, covering 50% of the total investment. The announcement was made during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and senior government officials, underscoring strong state backing for industrial decarbonisation.
ArcelorMittal cited recent European Commission measures, including tighter Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) and reforms to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as key factors restoring competitive conditions in the EU steel market. A newly signed long-term low-carbon electricity contract with EDF further strengthens the project’s viability.
Separately, ArcelorMittal is commissioning a €500 million electrical steel unit at Mardyck, expanding capacity to support Europe’s industrial and automotive electrification.
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POLL
How will large-scale EAF investments like Dunkirk impact Europe’s steel industry over the next decade?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the scale of ArcelorMittal’s Dunkirk investment?
€1.3 billion for a 2-million-tonne electric arc furnace.
- How will the EAF impact emissions?
It will reduce CO₂ emissions to 0.6 tonnes per tonne of steel—approximately one-third of blast furnace emissions.
- What raw materials will the EAF use?
A mix of scrap, HBI/DRI, and hot metal.
