Fossil-free steel production ready for industrialisation

Six years of research (2018-2024) paves the way for fossil-free iron and steel production on an industrial scale.

The most extensive of HYBRIT’s pilot projects is now coming to an end. The project has run from 2018 until 2024 and included fossil-free production of iron ore pellets, hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore, hydrogen production by electrolysis of water and production of crude steel by melting sponge iron in an electric arc furnace.

Main results:

• HYBRIT has developed technology for efficient fossil-free steel production – 0.0 tonnes of CO₂ e/tonne of steel (Scope 1 and Scope 2).
• The choice of process settings and technologies has been validated through pilot scale trials throughout the value chain from ore to steel.
• The value chain is based on a new sponge iron product with unique properties.
• The results pave the way for further development and implementation of the HYBRIT technology on an industrial scale.

The HYBRIT initiative is progressing according to plan. In the next phase, the HYBRIT process will be implemented on an industrial scale. The results and specifications of the pilot project apply to Swedish conditions and have laid a solid foundation for industrialisation. The way is now open for the conversion of SSAB’s and LKAB’s production facilities.