Siemens has developed an electric arc furnace especially for the use of DRI (direct reduced iron). It is designed for a continuous melting process as electrical energy input and DRI are supplied during tapping. This shortens tap-to-tap times and reduces specific energy consumption. An overall productivity increase of around 15 percent can be achieved with a 150-ton furnace. The arc furnace has a modular structure, which also makes it possible to retrofit existing, conventional furnaces.