Algoma steel plant

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Algoma steel plant, also known as Algomatubes, Essar Steel Algoma (predecessor), Old Steelco (predecessor), is a steel plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada that operates electric arc furnace (EAF), basic oxygen furnace (BOF), and blast furnace (BF) technology.

Location

The map below shows the exact location of the plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada:

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  • Location: 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, P6A 7B4
  • Coordinates (WGS 84): 46.518984, -84.374068 (exact)

Background

Algoma is the second largest steel producer in Canada and the largest employer in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. A 2017 report by media outlet The Star showed that while Algoma has received over 78 million CAD in government funding, it still owes over 30 million CAD in unpaid property tax and interest, and has been fined 159,750 CAD in the past for environmental non-compliance.[1]

Transition

In May 2021, Algoma announced it was 'exploring the possibility' of transitioning to electric-arc steelmaking technology, which would cut 70% of the plant's carbon emissions.[2] In 2022, the company started the transition and began installation of two electric arc furnaces to replace its blast furnaces. The first EAF started operation on July 7th, 2025 and the second is anticipated to begin operation by the end of 2025,[3] with the blast furnaces set to be shut down as soon as the electric grid allows (estimated 2030).[4] Due to unexpected financial complications, Algoma now plans to shut down their blast furnaces sooner than originally planned, but have not confirmed a date as of November 2025.[5]

Government Investment

In July 2019, the Canadian Government provided $16 million (CAD) to Algoma from the government's Strategic Innovation Fund.[6] In 2021 the Canadian Government committed up to $420 million in financial support for the green transition project. The commitment includes up to $200 million from the Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) through the Net Zero Accelorator. Additionally, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is committing $220 million.[7]

Environmental and Social Justice

In March 2019, a power outage led to a leak of around 6.5 million liters of oil into the St. Mary's river. The company did not alert the public in the days immediately following the spill.[8] There is an ongoing investigation surrounding this incident and charges against the company are still a possibility. [9]

On October 18, 2019, there was a rupture of a steam drain line which resulted in effluent exceedances at the MWFP for phenol, ammonia, and total cyanide and a toxicity failure for rainbow trout.[10]

On June 9, 2022, 460 gear oil was released from algona's MWFW to the St. Mary's river as a result of a spill that occurred during the night shift in the Plate & Strip Mill.[10]

On January 20, 2024, Algoma's cokemaking facility suffer a structural collapse resulting in a quantity of effluent leaving the site and entering the adjascent waterway.[10]

On July 2, 2024, Algoma suffered an equipment failure at its Bar and Strip Lagoon resuling in a quanitty of impaired effluent leaving the site and entering the adjascent waterway.[10]

Ownership Tree

This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.

Low-emissions/green steelmaking

This steel plant is associated with a green steel project tracked in the Green Steel Tracker. Details about the project are included below.

Table 1: Green Steel Project Details

All references for the above data are available in the Green Steel Tracker.
Project 1
Project name Not available
Company Algoma Steel Inc
Company has climate goals? Yes
Location Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
Project website Not available
Project scale Full scale
Project status Construction
Technology to be used BF-BOF to EAF
Technology details BF/BOF to scrap-EAF conversion
Iron production capacity (million tonnes per year) Not applicable
Steel production capacity (million tonnes per year) 3
CO2 capture (million tonnes CO2 per year) Not applicable
Hydrogen generation capacity (MW) Not applicable
Investment size (m USD) 562
Date of announcement 7/5/2021

Plant Details

Table 2: General Plant Details

Start date Workforce size Power source Coal source
1901[11] 2780[12] Ontario electricity grid; Lake Superior Power project upgrade with gas-fired turbines[13] Mines in Appalachia[14]

Table 3: Ownership and Parent Company Information

Parent company Parent company PermID Parent GEM entity ID Owner Owner company PermID Owner GEM entity ID
small shareholder(s) [69.8%]; Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc [13.7%]; MMCAP International Inc SPC [10.9%]; Donald Smith & Co Inc [5.6%] not applicable [69.8%]; 5090765921 [13.7%]; 5000423675 [10.9%]; 4296053746 [5.6%] E100001015587 [69.8%]; E100001016165 [13.7%]; E100001016164 [10.9%]; E100001011758 [5.6%] Algoma Steel Group Inc [100%][15] 5021594646 E100000001817 [100%]

Table 4: Process and Products

Steel product category Steel products Steel sector end users ISO 14001 Main production equipment
semi-finished, finished rolled[16] cold rolled, sheet, plate, hot rolled[11] automotive, building and infrastructure, energy, steel packaging, tools and machinery, transport[17][11] 2024[18] BF; EAF; BOF

Table 5: Plant-level Crude Steel Production Capacities (thousand tonnes per annum)

1Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for an explanation of the different capacity operating statuses.
Capacity operating status1 Basic oxygen furnace steelmaking capacity Electric arc furnace steelmaking capacity Nominal crude steel capacity (total)
construction – 1850[19][20] 1850[19][20]
operating – 1850[19][20] 1850[19][20]
retired 3700[14] – 3700[14]

Table 6: Plant-level Crude Iron Production Capacities (thousand tonnes per annum)

1Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for an explanation of the different capacity operating statuses.
Capacity operating status1 Blast furnace capacity Nominal iron capacity (total)
retired 3800[14][21] 3800[14][21]

Table 7: Upstream Products Production Capacities (thousand tonnes per annum)

Ferronickel Sinter Coke Pellets
NF NF 0[22] NF

Table 8: Actual Plant-level Crude Steel Production by Year (thousand tonnes per annum)

Year BOF production Other/unknown steel production
2019 unknown unknown
2020 unknown unknown
2021 unknown unknown
2022 unknown unknown
2023 unknown –
2024 unknown unknown

Table 9: Actual Plant-level Crude Iron Production by Year (thousand tonnes per annum)

Year BF production Total (all routes)
2019 1979[23] 1979[23]
2020 1889[24] 1889[24]
2021 2179[25] 2179[25]
2022 1900[26] 1900[26]
2023 2000[27] 2000[27]
2024 1900[28] 1900[28]

Unit Details

Table 10: Blast Furnace Details

Unit name Status Start date Retired date Furnace manufacturer and model Current size Current capacity (ttpa) Decarbonization technology Most recent relining
BF 6 retired[29] 1953[30] 2026-01[29] Arthur G. McKee and Company[30] 1270.0 m3[30] 1000[21] unknown 2008
BF 7 retired[29] 1975[31] 2026-01[29] Ashmore Benson Pease Company[32] 2478.0 m3[26] 2800[14] unknown 2007[21]

Table 11: Electric Arc Furnace Details

Unit name Status Announced date Construction date Start date Furnace manufacturer and model Current capacity (ttpa) Current size (tonnes)
EAF 1 operating[33] 2021-11[34] 2022[35] 2025[36][33] Danieli Digimelter[37][37] 1850[20][19] 250.0[38]
EAF 2 construction[33] 2021-11[34] 2022[35] 2026[33] Danieli Digimelter[37][37] 1850[20][19] 250.0[38]

Table 12: Electric Arc Furnace Feedstock Details

Unit name Scrap-based % scrap % DRI % HBI % sponge iron (unknown if DRI or HBI) % basic/merchant pig iron % granulated pig iron % pig iron (unknown if basic/merchant or granulated) % other iron
EAF 1 yes[39] 100.00[39] unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown
EAF 2 yes[39] 100.00[39] unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown

Table 13: Basic Oxygen Furnace Details

Unit name Status Start date Retired date Current capacity (ttpa) Current size
unknown BOF (1) retired[29] 1971[14] 2026-01[29] 1850[14] 260.0 tonnes[14]
unknown BOF (2) retired[29] 1971 2026-01[29] 1850[14] 260.0 tonnes[14]

Articles and Resources

Additional data

To access additional data, including an interactive map of steel plants, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Iron and Steel Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.

References

  1. ↑ Bruser, David (2017-11-30). "Dirty Dollars". thestar.com. Retrieved 2021-10-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ↑ Helwig, David (2021-05-25). "Algoma Steel's bold plan to become Canada's greenest steelmaker". SooToday.com. Retrieved 2021-10-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ "Algoma Steel Achieves First Heat on New Danieli Digimelter EAF". Association for Iron and Steel. September 2, 2025. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Developments in the North American Iron and Steel Industry: 2021" (PDF). AIST. April 2022. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 26 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ↑ Helwig, David (October 1, 2025). "Algoma Steel braces for layoffs, quarterly loss up to $90 million". SOO Today. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sault tube mill lands $16 million from feds, Northern Ontario Business, Jul. 26, 2019, Retrieved on: Aug. 5, 2020
  7. ↑ "Government of Canada Endorses Algoma Steel's Transformation Plan for Green Steel. Commitment of up to $420 Million". algoma.com. July 5, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "Power outage at Algoma Steel in 2019 caused 6.5-M liter leak into St. Mary's | SaultOnline.com". saultonline.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  9. ↑ "Documents provide insight into cause of 2022 oil spill at Algoma Steel". Northern Ontario. 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "ALGOMA STEEL GROUP INC. Form 40F". ir.algoma.com/. December 31, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 https://web.archive.org/web/20220113200740/https://www.algoma.com/algoma-steel-inc-emerges/. Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ https://www.algoma.com/sustainability/sustainability-documentation/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230625161557/https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/algoma-eaf-project-update-fiscal-2023-earnings/. Archived from the original on 2023-06-25. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 "Form 40-F for Algoma Steel Group INC filed 03/13/2025". Archived from the original on 2025-10-06.
  15. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20211205144126/https://www.algoma.com/about-algoma/. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220120012958/https://www.algoma.com/about-algoma/corporate-profile/. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220316153415/https://algoma.com/our-products/industries/. Archived from the original on 2022-03-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ "Certifications". Archived from the original on 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/11/11/2332532/0/en/Algoma-Steel-Announces-Final-Investment-Decision-for-Electric-Arc-Steelmaking.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 https://web.archive.org/web/20211111164459/https://ir.algoma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/algoma-steel-announces-final-investment-decision-electric-arc. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 https://ir.algoma.com/static-files/162ff601-a279-4504-833a-f57ab2d00b03. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ↑ https://www.aist.org/algoma-steel-shuts-down-cokemaking,-looks-to-green-steel-future. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 https://imis.aist.org/store/detail.aspx?id=PR-RU2020-5. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 https://imis.aist.org/store/detail.aspx?id=PR-RU2021-7. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 https://imis.aist.org/store/detail.aspx?id=PR-RU2020-2. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 https://imis.aist.org/store/detail.aspx?id=PR-RU2023-5. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 https://imis.aist.org/store/detail.aspx?id=PR-RU2024-5. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "AIST North America BF Roundup 2025". Archived from the original on 2025-10-07.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7 https://www.saultstar.com/news/algoma-steel-turns-off-blast-furnace-steel-now-entirely-made-with-new-eaf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/68678468@N06/19644694195. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1561038727264008/posts/3991598124208044/?mibextid=HsNCOg. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/68678468@N06/18197893033. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/12/3293548/0/en/algoma-steel-group-inc-reports-financial-results-for-the-three-months-ended-march-31-2026.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/algoma-steel-canada-earnings-eaf-recycling-profits/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 (PDF) https://www.aist.org/AIST/aist/AIST/Publications/Monthly/085_094_April-2022.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. ↑ https://www.aist.org/algoma-steel-achieves-first-heat-on-new-danieli-digimelter-eaf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 "Algoma Steel selects Danieli Digimelter for full transition from integrated to electrical ‹ Danieli". www.danieli.com. Archived from the original on 2025-04-21. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220928012150/https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/algoma-selects-danieli-eaf-technology-supplier/. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 https://web.archive.org/web/20230703205442/https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/manufacturing/algoma-steels-electric-arc-furnace-project-taking-shape-7168748. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Resources

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