On February 12, the groundbreaking ceremony took place as part of the SALCOS ( Salzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking ) program , an initiative that seeks to reduce carbon emissions in steel production.
Hydrogen plant will strengthen the steel industry
The new facility will begin operations in 2026 and will have the capacity to produce around 9,000 tons of renewable hydrogen per year. This resource will be used as a key input in the manufacture of low-emission steel .
To carry out this transition, the Austrian company ANDRITZ will be in charge of supplying the 100 MW electrolysis plant under the EPC ( Engineering, Procurement and Construction ) modality. The technology used comes from HydrogenPro , a company specialized in advanced pressurized alkaline electrolysis solutions.
The SALCOS programme envisages a phased implementation, including the start-up of a direct reduction plant and an electric arc furnace, in addition to the aforementioned electrolysis plant . Furthermore, the first products derived from this new production route are expected to reach the market in 2026, with the ultimate goal of achieving a carbon-free steel industry in Salzgitter by 2033.
Governments now have the responsibility to create the right framework conditions for green production. Competitive grid costs and a commitment to building the hydrogen economy are priorities here.
Gerd Baresch, technical director of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH.
A demonstration and scope of the SALCOS project. Source: Salzgitter AG
Our extensive experience in the construction of large plants provides us with a solid foundation for the implementation of this innovative project.
It fits perfectly with our long-term growth strategy, which focuses on decarbonisation and supports our customers like Salzgitter in mastering their ecological transformation.
Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President Green Hydrogen at ANDRITZ.
Industry experts warn that the success of these initiatives will depend on government support . Factors such as competitive network costs and the creation of an appropriate regulatory framework will be crucial to strengthening a viable hydrogen economy in Europe.
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Source and photo: Salzgitter AG
