Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (HYBRIT), the world’s first fossil-free steel plant located at Luleå in northern Sweden, will begin its test operations on August 31 (Monday), according to media reports.
The hydrogen-powered pilot plant is a joint venture between SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall for the production of fossil-free sponge iron, a decisive step toward fossil-free steel production.
Coking coal, which is traditionally needed for ore-based steelmaking, will be replaced with hydrogen at the plant, the company said.
The project aims to have fossil-free steel by 2035 by de-carbonizing the steel industry and also reducing Sweden and Finland’s CO2 emissions by 10pc and 7pc, respectively. The construction of the plant began in 2018.