Materials Processing Institute

Chris McDonald, CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, said: “The suggestion that British Steel would install an Electric Arc Furnace on Teesside isn’t just about going green, it is about improving productivity too.

“I first made this proposal in 2007, to eliminate the high cost of transporting steel slabs from Scunthorpe to the Teesside Beam Mill. If this proposal goes ahead, it will be good news for the environment and good news for the Teesside Beam Mill.

“We must remember though that it is not good news for the many workers in Scunthorpe where jobs will be lost as a result of this transition. That is why I’m also calling for investment in a “Just Transition” where new green industry and retraining are targeted at areas where jobs are at risk. It is vitally important for these communities and for the success of new green industries, such as vehicle batteries and offshore wind.”

The Materials Processing Institute is a not-for-profit UK research and innovation centre based on Teesside that is focused on supporting the steel and metals sector, together with the wider foundation industries, through the development of advanced materials, achieving industrial decarbonisation, deploying digital technologies and reducing waste through a circular economy.