German engineering giant thyssenkrupp Uhde has secured a major contract from POSCO E&C to build a next-generation, low-emission coke oven battery at POSCO Pohang Steelworks—a key step in the steelmaker’s sweeping modernization drive.
The new facility will replace the aging Battery #3A at the Pohang site, marking a decisive shift toward cleaner, more efficient steel production. At the heart of the upgrade is thyssenkrupp Uhde’s proprietary EnviBAT technology, designed to dramatically cut emissions during the coking process.
The deal goes beyond a single unit. It also includes the installation of a cutting-edge MonoClaus plant to phase out outdated two-stage Claus systems, alongside a new emission-free tar separation plant—bringing the entire facility in line with modern environmental standards.
“With this state-of-the-art, low-emission facility, POSCO E&C and thyssenkrupp Uhde are making a meaningful contribution to enhancing the environmental performance of the POSCO Pohang Steelworks,” says Michael Petzinna, Executive Director of the Coke Plant Operating Unit.
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with POSCO and POSCO E&C, which dates back to the 1970s, and are proud to contribute our decades of plant engineering and process expertise to this project.”
The project forms a central pillar of POSCO’s broader plan to overhaul its coke plant infrastructure. The original Battery #3A—dating back to the 1980s—will be shut down and replaced with state-of-the-art, low-emission systems.
Under the contract, thyssenkrupp Uhde will handle technology delivery, engineering, equipment supply, site supervision, and commissioning support. Working in tandem, POSCO E&C and thyssenkrupp Uhde aim to deliver a high-performance plant that not only meets—but exceeds—strict environmental regulations.
A cornerstone of the project is EnviBAT, an advanced single-chamber pressure regulation system already deployed in more than 30 coke oven batteries and over 2,100 ovens worldwide. The system continuously monitors and adjusts pressure throughout the coking cycle, boosting efficiency while sharply reducing emissions.
By eliminating pressure spikes in the early stages of coking, EnviBAT effectively prevents emissions from escaping through oven doors and battery roofs. Additional features—including flexible spring-loaded doors and water-sealed pipe covers—further tighten emission control.
