South Korean steelmaker POSCO has launched a pilot steel plant at its Pohang complex that runs solely on hydrogen instead of fossil fuels, according to media reports.
Based on the company’s HyREX technology, which uses hydrogen as a reduction agent, the pilot plant has a molten iron production capacity of up to 24 mt per day, emitting only 400 kilograms of carbon per metric ton. The technology significantly reduces carbon emissions in steel production. Also, the Pohang complex is expected to be carbon-free once it switches to renewable energy.
The reports also indicate that POSCO is planning to start the construction of a full-scale HyREX plant in the first quarter of next year, with completion scheduled by 2027.