New research within the HYBRIT project, an initiative started by SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall which aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steel making, with hydrogen, shows superior results on the properties and quality of the hydrogen direct reduced sponge iron compared to the fossil-based process.
The test results prove that the direct reduction with hydrogen produces a product that is easy to handle, transport and store, in addition to the fact that the process virtually eliminates CO2-emissions.
Hydrogen-reduced carbon-free DRI is highly metallized and has superior mechanical and aging properties compared to direct reduced iron using fossil-based reducing gas such as natural gas. Hybrit Development AB has filed patent applications describing the included inventions to the European Patent Office.
''Thanks to years of dedicated work from the research team, we have made the hydrogen-based pathway to decarbonize steelmaking more accessible and efficient.''
Martin Pei, CTO of SSAB and member of the Hybrit board
“We are very pleased with and proud by the consistency in the good results and excited by the opportunities this can offer to the steel industry´s green transition. Thanks to years of dedicated work from the research team, we have made the hydrogen-based pathway to decarbonize steelmaking more accessible and efficient. It can help to mitigate climate change,” said Martin Pei, CTO of SSAB and member of the Hybrit board.
“These extraordinary test results confirm that we are on the right track in establishing an efficient fossil-free value chain in the iron and steel industry.''
Lars Ydreskog, senior vice president strategic projects LKAB and chairman of the Hybrit board
“These extraordinary test results confirm that we are on the right track in establishing an efficient fossil-free value chain in the iron and steel industry. One element behind the high quality of the sponge iron produced is the high-quality iron ore from LKAB’s mine, which together with the groundbreaking HYBRIT technology paves the way for future fossil-free steelmaking. The HYBRIT pilot project continues to provide us with invaluable research as we continue the journey towards industrial production, starting first with a demonstration facility in Gällivare in 2026,” commented Lars Ydreskog, senior vice president strategic projects LKAB and chairman of the Hybrit board.
''This new knowledge is a direct result of close value chain cooperation, determined innovative thinking and bold efforts in piloting new technology.''
Andreas Regnell, senior vice president and head of strategic development at Vattenfall and member of the Hybrit board
''It is very encouraging to see that these results not only confirm the climate benefits of replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen from fossil-free electricity, but also that decarbonization can actually lead to better industrial processes and products. This new knowledge is a direct result of close value chain cooperation, determined innovative thinking and bold efforts in piloting new technology – a recipe to copy for other industrial sectors,” said Andreas Regnell, senior vice president and head of strategic development at Vattenfall and member of the Hybrit board.