In a press release, SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall have announced that they have formed a joint venture company to develop a steelmaking process that emits water instead of carbon dioxide. The initiative is called HYBRIT and seeks to replace coke and coal with hydrogen gas in steelmaking. The three companies will each own one third of the company.
“The joint venture company will enable us to work together effectively to eliminate the root cause of carbon dioxide emissions in the steel industry," said Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO of SSAB. He added, “We have a conviction to develop a fossil-free production chain all the way from the mine to the steelworks.” Magnus Hall, President and CEO of Vattenfall added, “Vattenfall can see that electrification of the industry and climate-smart hydrogen gas have an important role to play.”
SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall launched an initiative to solve the carbon dioxide issue in the Swedish steel industry. Since its launch, the initiative has received various support from the Swedish Energy Agency, including funding towards a four-year research project.
This initiative is divided into three phases: a preliminary study up to the end of 2017, followed by research and pilot plant trials up to 2024. Finally, up to 2035 the plan is to perform trials in a full-scale demonstration facility. If successful, the technology will benefit the world wide steel industry as it would address present pollution concerns.