<![CDATA[Newsroom Tata Steel Nederland]]> https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en en Tue, 08 Sep 2026 03:04:08 +0200 Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:15:35 +0200 <![CDATA[Newsroom Tata Steel Nederland]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_2939.jpg https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en 144 Insight into every scrap load within minutes https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/insight-into-every-scrap-load-within-minutes https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/insight-into-every-scrap-load-within-minutes744165A fully loaded truck of scrap metal enters a tunnel, and within minutes we know exactly what it contains. No complex logistics, no unloading required. That is the power of LIBS: a technology that scans an entire load using up to 1,000 measurements per second, providing immediate insight into its composition. What was once based on estimation is now backed by hard data—fast, accurate, and fully automated.

]]>“What we are doing here in IJmuiden is making the invisible visible. Nothing like this exists anywhere else in the world. This is truly state-of-the-art,” says Frank Schrama, Principal Researcher at Research & Development and the driving force behind the idea.

From laser to data

LIBS stands for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. It may sound complex, but the concept is surprisingly straightforward. A highly precise laser is directed at the scrap, vaporizing tiny particles of material. This creates plasma—a glowing cloud of ionized gas. By analyzing the light emitted by this plasma, it is possible to determine exactly which elements are present.

Frank explains: “To focus the laser with extreme precision, we use a mirror derived from space technology. It is one of the purest mirrors in the country, with a level of purity normally found only in satellites.”

Scanning without unloading

While traditional methods analyze only small samples of scrap on a conveyor belt, this innovation assesses entire, unsorted loads. “The truck drives into a high-tech tunnel, where the load is scanned without being unloaded,” Frank explains.

This saves time and makes the process significantly more efficient.

Combining laser technology and AI

The technology becomes even more powerful when combined with AI-enabled cameras. These cameras identify shapes, structures, and materials, and combine that information with the laser data. The result is a complete and reliable picture of the entire load.

“We perform up to 1,000 measurements per second. That allows us to know in real time exactly what a shipment contains,” says Frank.

Essential for more sustainable steel

Why is this so important? Scrap plays a crucial role in the production of more sustainable steel, and we aim to increase the amount of scrap used in our processes. However, scrap can sometimes contain unwanted materials, such as copper or even remnants of car tyres. These contaminants can affect the quality of new steel.

“To meet our high quality standards, we need to know the exact composition of the scrap,” says Frank. “With the LIBS portal, we will be able to determine that immediately upon arrival.”

Next steps

The technology was successfully tested at our IJmuiden site in March, and the initial results are promising. Later this year, a temporary, simplified portal will be introduced, with a full-scale permanent version expected around 2029.

One thing is certain: the future of steel will not only be greener, but also much smarter—and it starts with what we can already see today.

European collaboration

The LIBS portal is part of the European DiGreeS project, which focuses on making steel production greener. Various European partners are collaborating on this initiative, including Spectral Industries, BFI, K1-MET and SZTAKI. Fraunhofer, Voestalpine and Saarstahl are also participating in the DiGreeS project.

With support from the European Union, we are working together to develop innovative technologies for the steel industry of the future.

]]> Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:15:35 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2939/4993ed45-711b-45d7-9044-41fc94864692/500_frank.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2939/4993ed45-711b-45d7-9044-41fc94864692/frank.jpg?10000 Millions of kilos of CO2 saved on transport in 2024 https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/millions-of-kilos-of-co2-saved-on-transport-in-2024 https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/millions-of-kilos-of-co2-saved-on-transport-in-2024712847By switching to biodiesel, we have saved over 2.7 million kg of CO2 emissions on transport by truck to and from the Ruhr region in 2024. A significant part of trucks now run on so-called HVO100 fuel. This emits 90% less CO2.

]]>Last week, Rico Schavemaker, director of our logistics partner Schavemaker BV, visited our site. He handed the certificate, showing the 2,716,137 kilograms of CO2 savings, to Martin van der Meer, our Director of Outbound Logistics. Schavemaker transports our steel to customers in the Ruhr region, using tipper trailers. On the return journey, they transport scrap, which we reuse in our production process in IJmuiden. 

‘We have the ambition to make the entire chain more sustainable and logistics is a significant part of that,’ says Martin van der Meer. ‘We are proud of this step which is complementary to previous measures, such as train transport running on green electricity and smartly opting for inland shipping instead of truck transport on a number of routes.’ 

Our customers 
Our customers may also benefit from this carbon savings. Through Zeremis® Delivered, they can claim these CO2 savings and reduce their carbon footprint in this manner. 

]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:22:43 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2939/c120316b-fa88-4ffa-89ac-2cf18363462d/500_miljoenenkilo039sco2bespaard.jpeg?29407 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2939/c120316b-fa88-4ffa-89ac-2cf18363462d/miljoenenkilo039sco2bespaard.jpeg?29407 Tata Steel Nederland submits Green Steel plan with emphasis on reducing emissions https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/tata-steel-nederland-submits-green-steel-plan-with-emphasis-on-reducing-emissions https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/nieuws/en/tata-steel-nederland-submits-green-steel-plan-with-emphasis-on-reducing-emissions605299Today, Tata Steel Nederland submitted its Green Steel Plan 2030 to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy for the tailor-made approach.

]]>The plan has changed significantly from the previous plan. The new plan has the same climate ambition, but there is more emphasis on the environment with a focus on a different technology.

]]>Tata Steel Nederland’ plan focuses on three concrete issues that will make a significant contribution to Dutch and European climate objectives. The impact on the immediate living environment will be reduced and Tata Steel Nederland and the Netherlands will become more circular. The plan has changed significantly from the previous plan. The new plan has the same climate ambition, but there is more emphasis on the environment with a focus on a different technology. 

Concrete objectives 

  1. Clean: Tata Steel Nederland intends to prioritise the reduction of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxides. According to external research, these have the most impact on the immediate living environment1). In addition to measures that we are already taking to reduce particulate matter, the plan contains non-statutory measures to cover the raw material storages that are part of the Green Steel plan. These canopies prevent the drift of fine dust and coarse dust. Tata Steel Nederland is already implementing measures to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, such as the construction of a large DeNOx installation at the Pellet Factory. This plant will come into operation in 2025 and means that NOx emissions at that plant will be reduced by around 80%. 
  2. Green: From 2030 onwards, 5 million tonnes of CO2 will be emitted less annually in accordance with the previously made agreements in the Expression of Principles in 2022. The climate target can be achieved by replacing Blast Furnace 7 and Coking and Gas Plant 2 (which will close by 2029 at the latest) with a so-called Direct Reduced Iron Plant (DRP) combined with an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). 
  3. Circular: Tata Steel Nederland is increasing the use of scrap to approximately 30% of total annual production from 2030. As a result, the company is less dependent on primary raw materials. 
     

A changed company with new factories  

The Green Steel plan is a very big step towards reducing the impact on the environment and the climate as quickly as possible. It is probably the biggest industrial transition in the Netherlands in the coming years. This takes time, requires permits and changes on the ground. The people in the company are already working hard to make this a reality by 2030. In the meantime, Tata Steel Nederland is in full discussion with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, with the province of North Holland, with suppliers and customers about the Green Steel plan. And also with local residents and other stakeholders in the management environment. An additional round of participation will start soon for the changes in the amended plan compared to the previous plan.    

How a Direct Reduced Iron Plant (DRP) and an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Work 

The DRP will initially run on natural gas. This installation can also run on hydrogen without modification. This will also happen as soon as hydrogen becomes available in sufficient quantities and at the right price. The hydrogen market is currently developing rapidly and various parties, including the government, are working hard to get this availability off the ground.   

The directly reduced iron from this DRP will be used in the EAF and supplemented with a much larger amount of scrap than Tata Steel Nederland currently uses. This makes the company much more circular.   

Support is needed for the transition 

The Green Steel plan is a transition that involves very significant investment. As with our European competitors, this transition cannot take place without financial support from the government. With the submission of the amended Green Steel plan, a new phase has begun. The next step is that the government will study the plan carefully and that Tata Steel Nederland and the Dutch government will continue to talk to each other in order to reach a final tailor-made agreement so that the plan can be further implemented.   

An important part of the discussions with the government is the competitive position of Tata Steel Nederland. Due to its coastal location, among other things, Tata Steel Nederland is currently one of the most competitive steel producers in Europe. However, because the costs for the use of energy (e.g. network costs) in the Netherlands will become significantly higher in the coming years than in other European countries, this position is at risk. As long as this is not standardised in Europe, these higher costs cannot be passed on to the market. This limits further investment opportunities for Tata Steel Nederland. This needs to be solved so that Tata Steel can achieve the green transition in the Netherlands.   

The focus of Tata Steel Nederland is now entirely on this first phase of the transition. The second phase will start in 2030. The so-called 'final investment decision' will be taken once the tailor-made agreement and the permits are in place.   
 
1) RIVM, The contribution of Tata Steel Nederland to the health risks of local residents and the quality of their living environment; RIVM report 2023-0171, figure 73, p 251

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