The outside of Forges de Clabecq

The Blast Furnace

Forges de Clabecq is a former blast furnace and steel company that was founded in 1888 in Clabecq in Walloon Brabant. The location was at the intersection of a number of municipal boundaries. The largest part of the 80 hectare factory site was located in Tubize.

The Blast Furnace

History

The company grew and by 1819, when it was named Fonderie et platinerie de fer. In 1829, after bankruptcy, the company had new owners. In 1832 the Charleroi-Brussels Canal was also completed, allowing the company to grow considerably, and the later known Forges de Clabecq. HF2 as you can see on my pictures is build in 1812 and is also the oldest blast furnace in europe. In 1997, part of the factory site, with associated installations, was purchased by the steel company Duferco, which was attracted by the site's favorable location and good transport connections. Another part is owned by the Walloon region. Duferco entered into a joint venture with the Russian Novolipetsk Steel in 2006.

History

On Top of the Blast Furnace

Since 2008, work has started on demolishing many of the installations. Only a few buildings with valuable industrial heritage, such as the water tower, have been preserved for posterity.

On Top of the Blast Furnace

Drone shots

Some drone shots of the oldest (HF2) blast furnace of europe.

Drone shots

Trains

Some trains I have found with my drone next to the blast furnace. This train were used in Forges de Clabecq but the terrain where they are now is still in use.

Trains