First Bridge Project Using Heavy Plate Made of CO₂ Reduced SALCOS® Steel
16.04.2026 | Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH
- Firste bridge project with CO₂‑reduced SALCOS® steel
- 74% lower CO2 emission compared to conventional blast furnace steel
Heavy plate for bridge construction has long been a core part of Ilsenburger Grobblech’s business. Now, at our customer Claus Queck GmbH in Düren, the first bridge is being fabricated using CO₂‑reduced SALCOS® steel produced in the Salzgitter Group’s electric arc furnace. Approximately 300 metric tons of high‑quality plate are being processed into individual structural components for the replacement construction of the Bettrather Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge located in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
Claus Queck GmbH is manufacturing a total of seven steel elements for the superstructure of the 52‑meter single‑span bridge using CO₂‑reduced heavy plate supplied via Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH from Ilsenburger Grobblech’s plant in Ilsenburg. The individual segments measure up to 25 meters in length. Designed as airtight, welded box sections, they provide optimal corrosion protection, as only the smooth exterior surfaces require coating. Fabrication of the steel components follows three main stages: cutting the plate to size, producing and assembling individual bridge components, and welding the elements together. Final assembly of the segments takes place on site, with the high degree of prefabrication ensuring a comparatively short installation period.
In addition to functionality and visual design, sustainability plays a central role in the bridge replacement project. Locally sourced timber is used for the wooden components and made weather‑resistant using an environmentally friendly treatment process. During the steel structure planning phase, the design was optimized to reduce steel usage by approximately 150 metric tons compared with the original concept. Most importantly, CO₂‑reduced steel from Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH is being used, contributing significantly to the bridge’s improved environmental profile. With a total Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 590.9 kg per metric ton of SALCOS® heavy plate, the material ranks among the leading solutions in the industry. This achievement is made possible by CO₂‑reduced steel slabs supplied by sister company Peiner Träger GmbH via the electric arc furnace route.
For long‑standing customer Queck, this green steel project represents another important step toward more sustainable infrastructure. The company is already actively offering CO₂‑reduced steel solutions in its projects. With Salzgitter AG, Salzgitter Mannesmann Handel GmbH, and Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH as reliable partners, the steel fabricator is well positioned to meet the growing future demand for CO₂‑reduced heavy plate.