Iv is currently supporting two Tata improvement programmes: Roadmap Plus and the arrival of a new DRP (Direct Reduce Plant). The environmental installation at the PEFA is one of the biggest steps in the Roadmap Plus improvement programme, reinforced by its sheer size (approximately 170 metres long, 45 metres wide and 110 metres tall at its highest point). The aim is that the new dedusting installation will be operational later this year to reduce the impact on the surrounding area as quickly as possible.

Iv is heavily involved in both of these improvement programmes and has worked with Tata to develop and elaborate the designs for the environmental installation. From 2025, the dedusting installation will work in conjunction with the DeNOx installation. The dedusting installation consists of no less than 6,000 10-metre bag filters, equivalent to 60 kilometres of filter cloth. The PEFA produces round balls (pellets) from iron ore. These pellets are a critical raw material in the production of pig iron. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO₂), the entire production process releases significant amounts of nitrogen (N₂).

Nitrogen (NO_x) emissions also need to be significantly reduced. The dedusting installation is directly connected to the PEFA and captures a large part of the heavy metals, flue gases and substances through 'washing' and 'scrubbing'. The DeNOx installation is mainly intended to reduce nitrogen emissions and ensure the water from the dedusting installation is transported to a water treatment system.

Like Tata, Iv is enormously proud of this major development at the Netherlands' most prominent steel producer. Rick de Jong, Programme Director at Iv: "Iv also wants to play a major role in Tata's huge sustainability task in the coming years. Both in terms of feasibility studies and detailed engineering. Iv has been conducting projects for the former Koninklijke Hoogovens, now Tata, since 1949. Whether it now concerns large, complex engineering projects or solving smaller issues, both are equally important in the entire chain. Tata wants and needs to become more sustainable, and we are happy to help with that."

At the moment, this task is not only huge but also very complex and challenging. Rick: "I'm not someone who easily sees a problem in something, but instead a challenge. We see it as an opportunity to make a difference in our world. Both now and in the future. If you know how to fix mistakes, you'll get there. For us, the most important thing is staying sharp and continuing to make choices that enable others to continue. We need to be critical and devise solutions that really make a difference."