Approaching the 50-year mark, Steetley Dolomite is a firm steeped in tradition. However, the company has truly flourished over the past five years operating as an independent private operation
Written by Jonathan Guisefield & Produced by Amy Christopherson
There’s quite a history to Nottinghamshire-based Steetley Dolomite, a firm that, we understand, is due to celebrate 50 years in business in 2010. Indeed, Steetley Dolomite had been supplying dolomitic lime and dead-burnt dolomite products, used in the creation of steel, for years and certainly long before it was acquired by the Redland Group in 1992. In 1998, Lafarge SA acquired Redland and established Lafarge Lime. In 2004, Lafarge’s UK lime business was bought by the management team of Graham Edwards, John Carlill and Bradley Boulton, and Steetley Dolomite Limited was reborn.
“For much of the 20th century the name Steetley was synonymous with high quality dolomitic lime and dead burnt dolomite products for the steel industry,” the company’s website states. “In 1992, Steetley became part of the Redland Group, and continued to supply its established products to customers worldwide. In 1998, Lafarge SA, one of the leading materials companies in the world, acquired the whole of Redland, and established Lafarge Lime.
“In 2004, Lafarge’s lime business in the UK was purchased by the management, and Steetley Dolomite Limited was created,” it continues. “Steetley Dolomite specialises in dolomitic products for the steel industry, and is one of the leading producers in the world.”
That’s quite a history. And the company also supplies a wide range of products. Indeed, from steelthe UK, Steetley Dolomite supplies dolomitic lime flux for EAF and BOS steelmaking, EAF monolithic refractories and dolomite grain for the manufacture of refractory bricks and monolithics. It even does EAF refractory repairs.
“Our technicians have spent many years developing a hearth repair material which is easy to install, lasts in tough conditions, patches well and is economical. There is now a viable alternative for hot and cold repairs to the EAF hearth,” the company says, giving an example.
Steetley Dolomite’s products are all well established, particularly its dolomitic lime fluxes, which are commonly used in both BOS and EAF steelmaking. “The use of dolomitic lime as a flux addition in both BOS and EAF steelmaking is an established practice in many plants,” confirms Steetley Dolomite’s website. “Dolomet from Steetley Dolomite is a range of high quality dolomitic lime products specially manufactured for use in BOS, EAF and secondary steelmaking. The use of Dolomet can aid slag formation, improve slag viscosity and reduce refractory wear.
“Steetley Dolomite can advise on slag optimisation, and the use of Dolomet in your application,” it adds.
It is similarly authoritative on dolomite grain, which is typically used for the manufacture of refractory bricks and monolithics.
“Steetley Dolomite is a leading producer of high density dolomite grain for the production of resin bonded dolomite refractory bricks, fired doloma refractory bricks and folomitic monolithic refractories. Our product range, Dolopel, contains products covering a range of specifications, to meet most requirements.
“Steetley Dolomite also supplies specialist grades of dolomitic lime (dolime) for use in chemicals, glassmaking and agriculture,” the company adds.
Where EAF refractory repairs are involved, the portfolio is split into interheat repairs and EAF Hearth Repair Materials, mentioned previously.
“Dolofrit from Steetley Dolomite is known throughout the world as a cost effective range of fettling materials - refractory repair materials for spinning the banks and hot bombing the bottom of electric arc furnaces,” says the firm’s website, referring to interheat repairs. “For DC Electric Arc Furnaces, Steetley Dolomite has developed special high flow, conductive hot repair material,” it adds.
Where EAF Hearth Repair Materials are concerned, it continues: “Ramming materials are primarily intended for re-profiling and installation of hearths and banks of electric arc steel furnaces. Steetley Dolomite supplies products for the whole monolithic section of conventional EAFs, and the non-conductive sections of DC-Electric Arc furnaces.”
Its products include doloram DD, “a cost effective material for moderate furnace conditions”; Dolomag 50/50, a material for the more severe furnace conditions; and Britram4 HD, for complete hearths where “conditions are more severe and inter-heat fettling is not common practice”. There is no doubting Steetley is a success. The firm has recognised trends early and reacted.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: Steetley Dolomite
CEO: John Carlill
OPERATIONS: Supplies Dolomitic lime flux for EAF and BOS, steelmaking, EAF monolithic refractories and Dolomite grain for the manufacture of refractory bricks and monolithics
ESTABLISHED: 1960
REVENUE: £30 Million
www.steetleydolomite.com