Alleima’s Kanthal division, in collaboration with Danieli, has announced plans to supply an electric process gas heater for installation at Emsteel’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant advancement in the decarbonisation of steel production. According to the press release, this pilot-scale heater, based on Prothal® DH technology, will be the first of its kind for commercial use within DRI manufacturing, with delivery anticipated at the start of 2026.
Emsteel is a prominent player in the UAE’s steel and building materials sector, producing a range of long products, including heavy sections, bars, and wire rods. The DRI plant utilises an Energiron technology and aims for enhanced sustainability through the integration of the 1-megawatt electric heater. The Kanthal division has asserted that implementing this electric heating system will contribute significantly to the plant’s efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Robert Stål, President of Kanthal, emphasised the importance of this pilot project in a statement, highlighting its potential to pave the way for broader applications of electric heating in ironmaking. He noted that it could enable the transition to fully emission-free DRI production when used in conjunction with hydrogen, and even offer over a 30% reduction in emissions for plants reliant on natural gas.
This development aligns with the larger industry trend towards electrification in metal production processes. The strategic partnership between Kanthal and Danieli aims to scale the Prothal® DH technology to a level suitable for larger industrial demands, positioning the heater to potentially operate at hundreds of megawatts by 2027. The shift towards electric heating systems is notable for their capacity to achieve up to 90% heating efficiency and eliminate nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx), as per industry analyses.
A related initiative has been reported at Emirates Steel Arkan, where a collaboration with Danieli focuses on the study and installation of similar electric heating technology to further enhance sustainability at their DRI plants. The project’s objectives resonate with the UAE’s broader ambitions to innovate and reduce carbon footprints within its steelmaking operations. The commitment to such advancements reflects a pressing need for greener practices as the global steel industry grapples with significant environmental concerns.
Recent observations in industry reports indicate that many companies are pursuing electrification to comply with tightening regulations and consumer demands for more sustainable practices. This transformation is particularly crucial as the steel sector is frequently identified as a major contributor to global carbon emissions.
In summary, the planned introduction of an electric process gas heater at Emsteel’s facility underscores a significant move towards greener steel production. As industries worldwide adopt technologies aimed at reducing their environmental impact, this pilot project could potentially influence broader standard practices within the global steel sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alleimas-kanthal-division-and-danieli-to-supply-first-electric-process-gas-heater-for-commercial-use-in-dri-302464114.html – Original press release. View link for all data
- https://www.danieli.com/en/news-media/news/news-green-dri-processing-electric-process-gas-heaters_37_904.htm – Danieli and Kanthal have announced a strategic partnership to develop and industrialize full-scale electric process gas heaters for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plants. The Prothal® DH technology aims to reduce CO₂ emissions in ironmaking by providing a direct electric heating solution for high-temperature process gas heating. The collaboration focuses on scaling up the technology to hundreds of megawatts, with commercialization expected in 2027. The solution is designed for hydrogen, natural gas, and their combinations, enabling retrofitting of existing DRI plants. This partnership is a significant step towards decarbonizing the steel industry.
- https://www.kanthal.com/en/knowledge-hub/inspiring-stories/why-industrial-heating-must-go-electric.-now – Kanthal emphasizes the importance of electrifying industrial heating to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Electric heating systems offer up to 90% efficiency, precise temperature control, and lower operating costs compared to fossil-fired systems. They also eliminate NOx and SOx emissions, improving air quality and workplace safety. Electrification supports the steel industry’s transition to greener practices by reducing CO₂ emissions and integrating seamlessly with digitalization efforts. Kanthal’s Prothal® electric process gas heater exemplifies this shift, providing a high-efficiency alternative to traditional gas-fired heaters.
- https://www.danieli.com/en/news-media/news/emirates-steel-arkan-going-greener-danieli_37_906.htm – Emirates Steel Arkan in Abu Dhabi is collaborating with Danieli to enhance the sustainability of its steelmaking operations. The partnership involves studying the installation of an electric Process Gas Heater (e-PGH) at the company’s Direct Reduction Plant #1. This technology aims to improve efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the plant, aligning with Emirates Steel Arkan’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. The project reflects a broader industry trend towards adopting green technologies in steel production.
- https://www.aist.org/danieli%2C-emirates-steel-agree-to-collaborate-on-development-of-electrical-heater-for-dri-plant – Danieli and Emirates Steel Arkan have formalized a collaboration to develop an electrical process gas heater for the company’s Direct Reduction Plant in Abu Dhabi. The memorandum of understanding outlines a project to pilot this technology, aiming to further reduce the mill’s CO₂ footprint. Emirates Steel Arkan’s CEO, Saeed Alghafri, highlighted the partnership as a significant step towards innovation and technological excellence, with the goal of setting new standards in the steel industry and contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming a leading industrial hub.
- https://www.kanthal.com/en/knowledge-hub/inspiring-stories/kanthal-swerim-gas-heater/ – Kanthal and the metals research institute Swerim have developed and tested an electric gas heater designed for large-scale applications in industries such as steel and cement. The heater has undergone a decade of testing in various applications and gas compositions at Swerim and is planned for commercial launch in 2024. This collaboration aims to provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional gas-fired heating systems, contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions in industrial processes.
- https://www.kanthal.com/en/knowledge-hub/inspiring-stories/electric-process-heater-industry-sustainability/ – Kanthal is developing MW-scale electric process gas heaters to replace traditional gas-fired burners in heavy industries, including iron and steel, cement, petrochemicals, chemical, and automotive sectors. The Prothal® TH heater has been tested at Swerim AB, achieving process gas outlet temperatures up to 1,050°C without issues. This technology aims to decarbonize various industrial applications by providing efficient and reliable electric heating solutions, supporting the transition towards sustainable industry practices.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release dated May 23, 2025, announcing a collaboration between Alleima’s Kanthal division and Danieli to supply an electric process gas heater for Emsteel’s DRI plant in Abu Dhabi. This press release is the earliest known publication of this specific information. The content appears original and has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The press release includes direct quotes from Robert Stål, President of Kanthal, and Marco Lapasin, Vice President of Danieli Engineering Centro Metallics. These quotes are unique to this release and do not appear in earlier material, indicating original content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release issued by Alleima’s Kanthal division and Danieli, both reputable organizations in the steel industry. The press release is hosted on PR Newswire, a well-known distribution service, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the collaboration between Kanthal and Danieli to supply an electric process gas heater for Emsteel’s DRI plant in Abu Dhabi are plausible and align with industry trends towards decarbonization in steel production. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is common for press releases. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The press release announcing the collaboration between Alleima’s Kanthal division and Danieli to supply an electric process gas heater for Emsteel’s DRI plant in Abu Dhabi is original, timely, and originates from reputable sources. The content is plausible and consistent with industry developments, warranting a ‘PASS’ verdict with high confidence.
