Charging used tyres in the EAF as a substitute for carbon: a success story for LME and Industeel Belgium

Substituting used tyres for anthracite in the EAF in France and in Belgium is reported. First trials have been carried out in Lorraine in 1997 in the frame of a partnership between Usinor (now Arcelor Mittal), Michelin and Ademe. The substitution process has been eventually implemented by LME in cooperation with Aliapur over the years 2002-2003. Industeel Belgium got started on substitution in 2004. To day, both steel plants have achieved stable operation, with a regular load of 8 to 12 kg used tyres per ton of steel, thus allowing significant and sustainable savings on anthracite.