The Salzgitter Group has chosen technology group ANDRITZ to supply one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen plants for the SALCOS® programme, which was developed in 2015 to implement virtually CO2-free steel production.

ANDRITZ will build a 100 MW electrolysis plant at the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH site, utilizing pressurized alkaline electrolyzer technology from HydrogenPro. Starting in 2026, the plant will produce around 9kt of green hydrogen per year, which will be used to produce green steel.

''The commissioning of the electrolysis plant marks a significant step in the SALCOS® programme and underlines our leading position in the transformation of the industry.''

Ulrich Grethe, chairman of the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH Management Board

Ulrich Grethe, chairman of the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH Management Board, stated: ‘‘The commissioning of the electrolysis plant marks a significant step in the SALCOS® programme and underlines our leading position in the transformation of the industry. In order to enable us to reduce the CO2 footprint of our steel production in the future, it is imperative that we connect to the emerging hydrogen infrastructure as quickly as possible. This is the only way we will be able to fully exploit the potential of SALCOS®. Here, policymakers are now also called upon to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and accelerate the development of a hydrogen infrastructure.”

''The compact design of our green hydrogen plant perfectly fits into the existing infrastructure.''

Domenico Iacovelli, ANDRITZ GROUP executive board member

Domenico Iacovelli, ANDRITZ GROUP executive board member, said: ‘‘We are proud that Salzgitter selected us as a partner and look forward to contributing to their ambitious program towards green steel production. The compact design of our green hydrogen plant perfectly fits into the existing infrastructure. Our vast experience in executing large-scale projects gives us a solid foundation for implementing this innovative project in collaboration with our partner HydrogenPro, whose pressurized electrolyzer stacks are very well suited for large-scale industrial applications.”

The SALCOS® programme is aimed to begin operation as early as 2026, and will consist of a direct reduction plant, an electric arc furnace (both previously ordered) and the 100 MW electrolysis plant for green hydrogen production.

Source: Hydrogen Central