Continuous Caster 2, one of three such machines at the Port Talbot site which turn liquid steel into solid steel slabs, has performed an integral role for the business since it was first commissioned in 1992, at one point producing the widest slabs in the world.

But now, following 32 years of service, it has been decommissioned as the site gears up for the dawn of electric arc furnace steelmaking, which will only require casters 1 and 3..

Rob Deeney, Head of Works Operations, Continuous Casting, said: “While this has been a raw and emotional occasion for the team – some of those here today were also here on day one when the caster was first commissioned – it is important we recognise and celebrate the life of Caster 2 and the major role it has played in the business.

Caster 2 was originally designed for the North American market, casting one-of-a-kind ‘jumbo slabs’ – at the time, the widest slabs in the world at 2.75m wide

“Caster 2 was originally designed for the North American market, casting one-of-a-kind ‘jumbo slabs’ – at the time, the widest slabs in the world at 2.75m wide

“In the mid to late 1990s, the moulds were re-engineered with a central divide, reconfiguring it from a single-strand caster to a twin-strand.

“Caster 2 was a really important part of our orderbook and granted us access into the North American market and, later, the high silicon market.

“It has also played a crucial role in phasing people into our organisation and to continuous casting, acting as the first stepping stone for so many young engineers and production specialists.

“So, it leaves behind a real legacy that will live on as we transition to an exciting new era of steelmaking.”

Rob was full of praise for the planning and preparation behind the decommissioning process, while also recognising the significance of the moment as a key milestone in Tata Steel UK’s transition to low CO2 steelmaking.

“I can’t fault the team behind the scenes, who have been working on this since the end of last year,” he said. “They’ve put their heart and soul into making sure the process went as planned.

“Time moves on and there’s a new world coming. We now look forward with optimism to more than £40m of capital investments in Casters 1 and 3, which will be casting the low CO2 steels our customers are looking for once the electric arc furnace is up and running in 2027”