Hydrogen in steel. A revolutionary project for a green steelmaking

As reported by the World Steel Association, a low-carbon pilot steel production facility in Northern Sweden could soon revolutionize the way we produce steel, drastically reducing the industry’s carbon emissions.

The project, called HYBRIT – HYdrogen BReakthrough Ironmaking Technology - was born in 2006 as joint venture between SSAB, leading steel manufacturer in the Nordics, LKAB, Europe’s largest iron ore producer, and Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest electricity producers. 

HYBRIT aims to replace the coke traditionally used in steelmaking as a reducing agent to remove impurities from iron ore, with hydrogen produced from renewable electricity.
In traditional steel plants, the carbon in coke reacts with the oxygen in iron ore to form carbon dioxide; but if we used hydrogen instead of coke then it would form vapour.

Experts forecast that if the project will be successful, Sweden’s and Finland’s total carbon dioxide emissions could be respectively reduced by 10% and 7%.

The works for the construction of the pilot plant started in 2018, in Luleå, Northern Sweden. First tests will begin between 2020-2024, and by 2028 the demonstration plant will run as an industrial facility operating 24/7 for months. The goal is to have an industrial process in place by 2035.

SSAB and its partners are not alone in investigating hydrogen-based steelmaking solutions: the Austria-based Voestalpine and POSCO of South Korea also have ongoing projects. The challenge is to develop an economically sustainable hydrogen process.

For more information visit hybritdevelopment.com

Photo credit: worldsteel / Robert Kolykhalov -- You could be interested in reading:

World crude steel production increased in 2018. Europe is the only exception
A No-Deal Brexit would have a “hugely negative” impact for UK steel companies
“Next Generation of Wire and Cable” at new Interwire Conference
Registrations open for wire 2020 and Tube 2020 – bigger venue and expectations