History
The HF6 Blast Furnace built during the mid-20th century, it was part of a larger steelworks complex that drove Belgium’s economic growth by producing steel for construction, transportation, and manufacturing.
HF6, short for “Haut Fourneau 6” (Blast Furnace 6), was considered state-of-the-art when it was commissioned. It employed advanced smelting technology to process raw iron ore into molten iron, which was then converted into high-quality steel. The facility became a crucial contributor to Belgium’s reputation as a leader in steel production.
The Blast Furnace operated at peak efficiency for several decades, supporting the region’s industrial economy and providing employment to thousands of workers. However, the global decline in steel demand, combined with increasing competition from emerging markets, led to the gradual deindustrialisation of the area. By the early 21st century, operations at HF6 had ceased.
