On his most recent visit to the UK, Tata Steel Group’s CEO and Managing Director, TV Narendran, visited the site of the proposed Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) in Port Talbot and spoke with employees about the business’ green steel transition.
Speaking at the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant in Port Talbot, Mr Narendran said: “This is where we have proposed the new EAF is going to be built. While I’ve seen it on plans and in presentations, I wanted to see the site for myself and understand the challenges the team is dealing with.
“It was also another opportunity to consider the challenges and operational complexities of the proposal given to us by the unions.”
“Not only are we moving to a process route that is greener, we are doing it as fast, or better, than most others in Europe. We are also building for ourselves a competitive position which is sustainable, leverages local scrap, and creates a far more secure future."
While in Port Talbot, Mr Narendran took the opportunity to talk with employees about the transition and what the future holds.
“We know people are going to be hugely impacted, and it’s our desire to do this in the smoothest and most compassionate way possible, while being respectful of the process we need to follow,” he said.
“People are anxious to see the future and have some clarity. We, as management and unions, need to give that clarity sooner rather than later, so that we deal with the anxiety that is there.
“The sooner we can build the EAF, the better for everyone – that is the reason I am spending more time here in the UK.
“The minute we agree on a way forward and get everyone onboard, we want to start placing the orders and getting the work started. Not only would that reassure everyone this is real, it would also create a lot of economic activity, because spending this amount of money – £1.25bn – in Port Talbot has never happened before.”
He added: “It’s important we transition into a future that’s more secure and greener. The reality is, we are in a very competitive global industry and we need to keep pace with those changes, so this is a hugely significant step for Tata Steel UK.
“Not only are we moving to a process route that is greener, we are doing it as fast, or better, than most others in Europe. We are also building for ourselves a competitive position which is sustainable, leverages local scrap, and creates a far more secure future.
“I know there is some cynicism, but we are putting our money where our mouth is.”
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- Tata Steel is the largest steelmaker in the UK with primary steelmaking at Port Talbot in South Wales supporting manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France and Germany. It also benefits from a network of international sales offices around the world.
- Tata Steel employs more than 8,000 people and has an annual crude steel capacity of 5 million tonnes, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
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