Major Investment: Energietechnik Essen GmbH Modernises Melting Operations

€11 Million for a globally unique high-end production of Cronidur® 30 & end rings

Energietechnik Essen GmbH (ETE), a global leader in end ring production for power engineering and a key player in industries such as aerospace, medical technology, and mechanical engineering, is making a major investment to modernise its melting operations. To meet the rising demand for Cronidur® 30 – a high nitrogen alloyed steel (HNS) – and end rings (material: P900), the company is investing over €11 million in a new Pressure Electroslag Remelting (P-ESR) facility and in the modernisation of its existing Electroslag Remelting (ESR) unit. This move reinforces ETE’s position as a global frontrunner in specialty steel production and sets new standards in manufacturing and technology.

The new P-ESR unit will produce HNS steel under high pressure, while the modernised ESR system will be used for manufacturing end rings. Both facilities are scheduled to begin operation in fiscal year 2026.

Cronidur® 30 stands out due to its exceptional material properties and is used in areas such as aerospace, specialised mechanical engineering and medical technology applications. Through its investment in growth markets, Energietechnik Essen is able to offer security of supply, high quality and growth potential for new and existing customers, a clear competitive advantage. The company also plans to develop additional specialty steels, further diversifying its portfolio in line with market demands.

Sustainability and uniqueness on a global scale

The new P-ESR facility is unique worldwide. Through the use of high-pressure inert gas during the remelting process, it achieves an exceptionally homogeneous nitrogen distribution within the steel. This one-of-a-kind technology guarantees the outstanding quality of Cronidur® 30 and other HNS steels. In addition to these technological advancements, ETE is committed to sustainability. “We are continually expanding the use of green electricity in our melting units, thereby reducing our carbon footprint and advancing environmental protection,” emphasises Kardalo.
The €11.4 million investment in the new P-ESR unit and the upgrade of the existing ESR facility represents a major milestone for ETE. It also marks a decisive step in GMH Gruppe’s strategic focus on efficient, high-quality, and resource-efficient steel production. These investments offer significant potential for profitable growth and long-term success in future markets.

About Cronidur® 30

Cronidur® 30, developed by Energietechnik Essen GmbH, is a highly specialised cold-work steel used in demanding applications such as tools, ball bearings, spindles, knives, and medical instruments. Its unique properties – including extreme strength, hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance – make it indispensable for critical use cases. Other alloys in the HNS family, such as P2000, can even be used for medical implants.

About Energietechnik Essen GmbH

Energietechnik Essen GmbH, based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, is the global specialist in end rings for power engineering and is synonymous with safety in turbo generator applications. The company also develops and manufactures pressurised, highly corrosion-resistant martensitic cold-work steels with exceptional toughness and maximum hardness. These special steels are refined in (pressurised) electro-slag remelting facilities (P-ESR/ESR), typically using green steel blocks sourced from sister companies. ETE’s specialty steel products are primarily used in power engineering, aerospace, medical technology, and the food industry.

About GMH Gruppe

GMH Gruppe is a full-range steel supplier – from scrap-based steel production to ready-to-install components – and is one of the largest privately owned metal processing companies in Europe. The group comprises 20 medium-sized production companies in the steel, forging and casting industries, with a presence in over 50 countries. With more than 6,000 employees, GMH Gruppe generates annual revenues of around 2 billion euros.
GMH Gruppe is a pioneer in sustainable steel production and a member of the ‘German Association of Climate Protection Companies’. By recycling metal scrap, the company produces green steel and contributes to a circular economy. Electric arc furnaces at four sites reduce CO2 emissions by a factor of five compared to conventional blast furnaces – thus significantly lowering the carbon footprint for GMH customers worldwide. These include companies from the automotive, mechanical engineering, railway, energy, logistics, aerospace, agriculture and construction machinery sectors.
GMH Gruppe is committed to achieving full climate-neutrality by 2039. For further information visit www.gmh-gruppe.de/en/