SMS Group to install one of the largest EAFs for Swedish SSAB

The electric arc furnace is scheduled to start operating in the fourth quarter of 2026

Swedish steelmaker SSAB has selected Germany’s SMS Group to build a new 190-ton electric arc furnace (EAF), which will be one of the largest such units in the world. This is stated in the message of SMS Group.

The new furnace will be located in Ökseläsund, Sweden, and is scheduled to start operating in the fourth quarter of 2026. The unit will be powered by a 280 MVA transformer and will have a direct power supply system from GE Vernova. To maintain a high level of power quality and reliability, the system includes two parallel conversion lines installed at a distance of 300 and 400 m from the furnace, directly connected to the 34 kV bus.

As noted, this EAF will not only play an important role in realizing SSAB’s plans to transition to fossil fuel-free production, but will also reduce Sweden’s overall carbon emissions by 3%.

“This project is a significant step forward on our path to sustainable steel production. Equipping the furnace with a high-performance digital control system will allow SSAB to achieve its goals in terms of energy quality and efficiency We are pleased to contribute to a project that sets a benchmark for the entire industry,” said Jan Heymann, Executive Vice President of SMS Group .

As GMK Center reported earlier, the European Commission has approved a €128 million state aid measure to Sweden to support SSAB in decarbonizing steel production at its Luleå site.

The aid will take the form of a direct grant to support the company’s accelerated transition to electric arc furnace production by installing an electric arc furnace (EAF), secondary metallurgy equipment and a continuous casting machine.