Swedish steel production is poised to embrace sustainability with the forthcoming inauguration of the world's inaugural plant dedicated to producing fossil-free hydrogen for heating steel prior to rolling. On September 5th, 2023, Ovako, the leading European steel manufacturer and a major steel recycler in the Nordic region, will open its hydrogen plant at the Hofors mill, which will also be Sweden's largest electrolysis facility.Historically, heating processes in the steel industry have heavily relied on fossil fuels, posing a significant challenge for Ovako's ambitious goal of achieving zero emissions. Leveraging the unique resources of the Nordic region in the form of fossil-free energy, Ovako has undertaken an innovative hydrogen project. The launch of this project in September will mark a momentous chapter in Sweden's steelmaking history. The hydrogen plant in Hofors will pioneer the heating of steel with fossil-free hydrogen prior to rolling, a groundbreaking initiative that holds immense potential for substantial global emission reductions. The international interest in this endeavor has been remarkable.Currently, the electrolyzer plant is being installed at Ovako's facility in Hofors, with completion anticipated in early autumn 2023. The 20-megawatt plant will generate 3,880 cubic meters of fossil-free hydrogen per hour. Beyond heating steel, this clean hydrogen can fuel trucks powered by fuel cells, while the excess heat produced can contribute to district heating in nearby communities.Ovako is committed to ensuring that the impact of this facility is felt from day one through strategic collaborations with partners such as the Volvo Group, Hitachi Energy, H2 Green Steel, and Nel Hydrogen. This initiative is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency, with the shared objective of establishing cross-industry utilization of fossil-free hydrogen, enhancing understanding of its potential, and achieving cost-effective production.Marcus Hedblom, CEO and Group President of Ovako, underscores the significance of collaborative efforts that transcend industry boundaries and prioritize solutions with immediate climate benefits. Ovako has already reduced its CO₂ emissions by 57% since 2015, and as the first steel company to demonstrate the feasibility of heating steel with fossil-free hydrogen prior to rolling, they are one step closer to achieving zero emissions in steel production. By 2030, Ovako aims to utilize local hydrogen production in all of its rolling mills, provided there is a reliable supply of fossil-free electricity.
Swedish steel production is poised to embrace sustainability with the forthcoming inauguration of the world's inaugural plant dedicated to producing fossil-free hydrogen for heating steel prior to rolling. On September 5th, 2023, Ovako, the leading European steel manufacturer and a major steel recycler in the Nordic region, will open its hydrogen plant at the Hofors mill, which will also be Sweden's largest electrolysis facility.Historically, heating processes in the steel industry have heavily relied on fossil fuels, posing a significant challenge for Ovako's ambitious goal of achieving zero emissions. Leveraging the unique resources of the Nordic region in the form of fossil-free energy, Ovako has undertaken an innovative hydrogen project. The launch of this project in September will mark a momentous chapter in Sweden's steelmaking history. The hydrogen plant in Hofors will pioneer the heating of steel with fossil-free hydrogen prior to rolling, a groundbreaking initiative that holds immense potential for substantial global emission reductions. The international interest in this endeavor has been remarkable.Currently, the electrolyzer plant is being installed at Ovako's facility in Hofors, with completion anticipated in early autumn 2023. The 20-megawatt plant will generate 3,880 cubic meters of fossil-free hydrogen per hour. Beyond heating steel, this clean hydrogen can fuel trucks powered by fuel cells, while the excess heat produced can contribute to district heating in nearby communities.Ovako is committed to ensuring that the impact of this facility is felt from day one through strategic collaborations with partners such as the Volvo Group, Hitachi Energy, H2 Green Steel, and Nel Hydrogen. This initiative is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency, with the shared objective of establishing cross-industry utilization of fossil-free hydrogen, enhancing understanding of its potential, and achieving cost-effective production.Marcus Hedblom, CEO and Group President of Ovako, underscores the significance of collaborative efforts that transcend industry boundaries and prioritize solutions with immediate climate benefits. Ovako has already reduced its CO₂ emissions by 57% since 2015, and as the first steel company to demonstrate the feasibility of heating steel with fossil-free hydrogen prior to rolling, they are one step closer to achieving zero emissions in steel production. By 2030, Ovako aims to utilize local hydrogen production in all of its rolling mills, provided there is a reliable supply of fossil-free electricity.
