Midrex Technologies, Inc. (Midrex) and Paul Wurth, an SMS Group company, announce a signed agreement with H2 Green Steel to supply the world’s first commercial 100 percent hydrogen direct reduced iron (DRI) plant.
The 2.1 million tons per year MIDREX H2 Plant will be located in Boden, northern Sweden. H2 Green Steel will produce green steel, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 95 percent compared to traditional steelmaking.
By replacing coal with green hydrogen powered by renewable electricity, water and heat become the primary emissions. The plant is expected to begin production in 2025 and ramp up during 2026.
Burkhard Dahmen, CEO of SMS group, said, “Hydrogen-reduced green steel is the future of primary steelmaking, and we are all working full speed ahead to deliver the key technologies to make this prospect a reality. We are very much looking forward to working at the forefront of clean and green metal production as part of the H2 Green Steel team. This is not only an important step for the whole project, but also an excellent opportunity to underline our mission #turningmetalsgreen.”
Dr. Thomas Hansmann, Head of Metallurgy at SMS group, said, “We are thrilled to be the forerunners in the green steel revolution. Our mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the steel industry and thanks to the H2 Green Steel vision we are marking a milestone in the roadmap towards a climate friendly production.”
“This unique project is a ‘lighthouse’ to our industry and sets the standard for green steel. There is simply nothing like it – 100 percent hydrogen from day one to produce over 2 Mt/y of DRI with up to 95% reduction in CO2 emissions,” says Stephen C. Montague, President and CEO of Midrex Technologies, Inc. “This is where Midrex wants to be – at the leading edge of technology.”
This first-of-a-kind DRI plant will be provided by a consortium of Midrex and Paul Wurth. The plant is designed to simultaneously produce hot DRI for use in the adjacent EAF as well as hot briquetted iron (HBI). Also included is the latest innovation from Midrex, an electric heater for the recirculating hydrogen gas designed and supplied in partnership with the Tutco SureHeat business of Flex-Tek Group, a division of the UK-based engineering company Smiths Group plc.
