SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall are joining together in a demonstration project called HYBRIT, to replace coal-based blast furnaces with direct hydrogen-based reduction technology. The HYBRIT initiative aims to demonstrate a complete industrial value chain for fossil-free, hydrogen-based iron and steelmaking.
The HYBRIT initiative has received support from the European Union, as one of seven innovative projects under the Innovation Fund. The project will receive €143 million for an industrial– and commercial–scale demonstration of a complete value chain for hydrogen–based iron and steelmaking, from mine to fossil–free steel. The grant consists of €108 million (Hybrit Development AB) for a demonstration of the hydrogen direct reduction process including fossil-free hydrogen production in Gällivare, a further €30 million (SSAB) for the demonstration of electric melting of hydrogen-based direct reduced iron in Oxelösund and finally €5 million (LKAB) for the demonstration of fossil-free DR-pellets production for the hydrogen reduction process. The project will produce approximately 1.35 million tonnes hydrogen reduced iron (sponge iron) annually, to be used for producing crude steel amounting to approximately 25% of Sweden ́s total production. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14.3 million tonnes CO2 over the first 10 years of operation, according to the Innovation Fund calculation model.
The E.U. Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programs for the demonstration of innovative low–carbon technologies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The E.U. is investing more than €1.1 billion in total in seven projects that cover a wide range of relevant sectors to decarbonize the European industry and energy sectors, such as chemicals, steel, cement, refineries, and power and heat. The HYBRIT demonstration project is the only iron– and-steel project to have been granted support in the first
Innovation Fund call for large–scale projects. The grant agreement was signed by the parties at an official ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden on April 1st.
“HYBRIT is paving the way for a fundamental change in the global steel industry. It also demonstrates how fast the green transition can happen: a few years ago, the possibility of producing emission–free steel would have sounded like science fiction. Now, green steel is entering the market. The support granted via the Innovation Fund is testament to the importance and potential of this technology, and the European Commission is convinced that this cutting–edge project will boost the European Union’s overall competitiveness. Green steel has the future, and that future is already here” says Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal.
HYBRIT was granted support to further advance the development toward eliminating emissions from iron and steel production by using fossil–free hydrogen for direct reduction of iron ore in the process. Going forward, the project will continue with proving the technical and commercial viability of the HYBRIT value chain, including (1) a demonstration of the hydrogen direct reduction process including fossil–free hydrogen production in Gällivare, Sweden (2) a demonstration of electric melting of hydrogen–based direct reduced iron and (3) a demonstration of fossil–free DR–pellets production for the hydrogen reduction process.
“We are glad to receive this significant contribution from the EU Innovation Fund to our continued journey in transforming the iron and steel industry. With the upcoming plant in Gällivare, we will establish a first-of-a-kind facility and process for producing fossil-free sponge iron in industrial scale. This will demonstrate the true potential of the HYBRIT technology and pave the way for competitive production of fossil-free steel and a sustainable future,” says Lars Ydreskog, Senior Vice President Strategic Projects, LKAB.
“We are very grateful for the support and confidence in HYBRIT and we are proud of industrializing the world's first completely fossil-free value chain for iron and steel production. Vattenfall is determined to reach fossil free living within one generation and the HYBRIT-technology is crucial to reach that goal,“ says Andreas Regnell, SVP Strategic Development at Vattenfall and Chairman of HYBRIT.
“We´d like to thank the EU Innovation Fund for their trust and confidence in the HYBRIT-initiative as well as the ability to create a completely fossil-free value chain from mine to steel. SSAB leads the green transformation in the steel industry and backed by the breakthrough achievements already made we now want to accelerate the transformation and thus decrease our emission footprint even faster, now targeting around 2030. Mitigating climate change is of utmost importance and there is no time to lose,” says Martin Pei, CTO at SSAB.
The HYBRIT technology, an essential step towards fossil-free steelmaking, is a key initiative for reaching EU climate targets. The project received support from the EU Innovation fund for its potential to contribute to the transition of Swedish industry and the possibility to mitigate climate change.
