As the mining industry increasingly prioritizes both operational efficiency and environmental stewardship, ME Elecmetal North America is taking a significant step toward achieving both. The company is making a major investment in its Duluth, Minnesota foundry, transitioning from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) melting technology to more sustainable and efficient—Coreless Induction Furnace (CIF) systems.
To meet rising expectations for both productivity and environmental performance, ME Elecmetal North America is making a game-changing investment at its Duluth, Minnesota foundry. During 2027, all three Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) will be replaced by two, high-efficiency Coreless Induction Furnaces (CIFs)—a move that aligns with the company’s global roadmap to double the business by 2030 without expanding its carbon footprint.
Approved by ME Elecmetal’s Board in May 2025, the project has also secured a US $4.3 million grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Industrial Facility Air Toxic and Criteria Emission Reduction program—funding aimed at reducing pollution in Environmental-Justice communities. The upgrade will deliver cleaner air for Duluth neighbors while strengthening a key link in ME Elecmetal’s global supply chain.
ME Elecmetal’s Duluth, Minnesota foundry already excels at circularity: more than 89% of every casting is produced from recycled scrap in its Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). Yet EAFs consume more power, generate more dust and noise, and require carbon electrodes as compared to Induction Furnaces.
Coreless Induction-furnace (CIF) technology takes sustainability a step further.
Moving to coreless induction furnace technology therefore accelerates ME Elecmetal’s sustainability roadmap. The induction system’s precise, electromagnetic heating:
In short, both EAFs and induction furnaces support a circular, scrap-based steel supply—but coreless induction furnaces push the envelope further, delivering efficiency-driven sustainability that aligns with ME Elecmetal’s 2030 and 2050 environmental targets.
“This technology addresses multiple challenges simultaneously: sustainability, energy efficiency, job security and future demographics…This is one of those projects where everyone wins: the business, the workers, the environment and the community.”Â
— Ted Angelo, President ME Elecmetal North America
“We have been granted funding to carry our flagship foundry into the modern melting era. We are extremely grateful for the support and investment from our esteemed Board of Directors and the MPCA.”
— Scott Schudalla, Vice President of Manufacturing
By 2027, Duluth will transition to state-of-the-art coreless induction furnace technology—engineered in partnership with Vulcan Engineering. The installation will:
According to the 2024 Sustainability Report, 89% of Duluth’s finished products already originate from recycled material; induction melting will push that figure even higher while reducing energy usage.
The investment is not just about infrastructure—it’s about people. The project has already had a positive motivational impact on the Duluth team, underscoring ME Elecmetal’s confidence in its North American operations and local workforce.
Once fully installed in 2027, the new coreless induction furnaces will enhance production capabilities, lower environmental impact, and ensure long-term competitiveness.
The MPCA safeguards Minnesota’s air, land, and water while driving climate resilience. Through partnerships and innovation grants—such as the funding for ME Elecmetal’s furnace conversion—the agency helps communities and industries adopt cleaner technologies that bolster public health and economic vitality.
Together with our customers, communities, and people, ME Elecmetal is forging a cleaner, more efficient future for steelmaking and the mining industry.
