ABB has been selected by GreenIron to provide automation and control system solutions for a pilot facility in Sandviken, Sweden.
GreenIron, a Swedish company, is developing materials reduction technology for the metals and mining sectors, with its hydrogen-based reduction technology to be industrialized for fossil-free and energy-efficient production of metals, producing fossil-free sponge iron that can then be used in industries such as steelmaking. A single furnace is expected to reduce carbon emissions by around 56kt/yr compared to traditional coal-based methods, with the only residual product being water. Scaling up to 300 furnaces would correspond to roughly 35% of Sweden's annual CO₂ emissions.
The integration of the ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) will enable the scaling up of GreenIron’s operations, the supplier has said. The automation platform will manage the entire industrial process, with the capabilities to integrate control, safety and power management into one system.
“The collaboration with ABB is a crucial part of our scaling up and future growth as we commence commercial production.”
Ulrika Molander, chief operating officer of GreenIron
“The collaboration with ABB is a crucial part of our scaling up and future growth as we commence commercial production,” said Ulrika Molander, chief operating officer of GreenIron. “ABB’s system will enable us to make informed decisions, stabilize operations at every stage, and analyze data for our continued journey. It’s an exciting time for us.”
“Together with GreenIron we’re working on fulfilling sustainability objectives that are demanded by the metals industry and wider society.”
Martin Björnmalm, local business line manager for metals, ABB Process Industries Sweden
“Together with GreenIron we’re working on fulfilling sustainability objectives that are demanded by the metals industry and wider society,” said Martin Björnmalm, local business line manager for metals, ABB Process Industries Sweden. “This is the type of project that underlines our actions in helping industries to outrun leaner and cleaner, and also aligns with an innovative process developed by our customer over many years. With this order, we will work on supporting an impactful industrial solution, bringing our technologies that are entirely scalable for future expansion. Our people are also using their expertise from mining and metals to ensure productivity and efficiency through centralized control rooms, production scheduling, and cost and resource modelling.”