The HYBRIT initiative is a collaboration between SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall. The project is ready to take the next step towards a future without fossil fuels. After six years of intensive research and development, the results show that fossil-free steel production can be scaled up to industrial scale.
This is what Vattenfall writes in a press release.
The HYBRIT project has developed a new technology that replaces the use of coal and coke in steel production with fossil-free hydrogen and electricity. This new method has the potential to reduce Sweden's total CO2 emissions by over 10 percent, as it almost completely eliminates carbon dioxide emissions from steel production.
“We are now ready to implement the process on an industrial scale,” says Martin Pei, CTO at SSAB, adding:
“Thanks to the successful results of the pilot project, we are well on our way to fundamentally changing the iron and steel industry.
So far, HYBRIT has produced over 5,000 tons of fossil-free iron using its pilot plant in Luleå. Several large companies, including Volvo Group and Epiroc, have already adopted the fossil-free steel in vehicles and other products, demonstrating growing interest in the new technology.
The next phase of the project involves the construction of a demonstration plant in Gällivare, which will pave the way for full industrial production of fossil-free steel. At the same time, the pilot project for storing fossil-free hydrogen in Svartöberget in Luleå will continue until 2026.
– Our high-quality iron ore combined with good access to fossil-free energy provides unique opportunities to establish a competitive value chain for the fossil-free iron and steel production of the future, says Jenny Greberg, Vice President of Technology at LKAB.
The results of collaborations also bring joy to the energy company Vattenfall.
– It is very gratifying to see the positive results of our targeted collaboration, partnership is a recipe for success. The next step is to scale up to industrial scale, where fossil-free electricity and hydrogen enable the transition to a future where it is possible for everyone to transport, produce and live fossil-free, says Andreas Regnell, Head of Strategic Development at Vattenfall.
The project has been supported by the EU's Innovation Fund and is part of the European IPCEI project Hy2Use, which involves several countries and projects to promote a rapid green transition and strengthen Europe's industrial competitiveness.
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