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London, October 09, 2024

Dragon Steel Tasks Primetals Technologies with Copper Staves Order to Extend Lifetime and Reduce Emissions

  • Primetals Technologies patented bend-resistant staves ensure a longer lifetime
  • Wear-resistant hexagonal inserts lower operating costs and carbon emissions through reduced coke usage

Blast Furnace No.1 at Dragon Steel Corporation’s (DSC) plant in Taichung, Taiwan, was originally designed, supplied, built, and commissioned by Primetals Technologies in 2010. Having exceeded its capacity with a record performance of 15 percent above design, the furnace will be taken offline in 2025 for a revamp in preparation for another successful campaign.

As part of the revamp, DSC is replacing the full set of staves to the original design with the addition of ten staves containing Primetals Technologies’ patented wear-resistant copper staves and anti-bending solution in key areas of the furnace. 

Continued Reliable Operation

The latest stave designs from Primetals Technologies will support the continued reliable operation of the furnace cooling system, extend the campaign life, and minimize maintenance. The introduction of the wear-resistant technology also reduces operating costs and carbon emissions by lowering coke consumption. 

Primetals Technologies will design and supply the bend and wear-resistant staves directly to the Taichung site. Blast furnace experts from Primetals Technologies will provide advisory services for installation and performance testing. 

Leading Integrated Steel Manufacturer 

Dragon Steel Corporation became a fully-owned subsidiary of China Steel Corporation in 2008. Located in Taichung, Taiwan, DSC is the country’s only wholly integrated steel plant, equipped with both an electric arc furnace and two blast furnaces. Its main facilities incorporate the latest highly efficient and environmentally friendly designs.

The two blast furnaces at the site have a combined annual capacity of 5 million metric tons and provide feedstock for the adjacent steelmaking facility. Steel produced at Taichung includes general carbon steel, structural steel, and high-strength low-alloy steel. The site also produces general structural steel with the largest hot-rolled thickness and width in the CSC Group.

Primetals Technologies Copper Staves to be installed on Dragon Steel Corporation, Taichung Blast Furnace No.1 (Image authorized by DSC).


Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a Group Company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.