Salzgitter lays cornerstone for major green hydrogen production plant

Salzgitter AG has laid the foundation stone for one of Europe's largest green hydrogen production facilities, a key component of the SALCOS® (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking) initiative aimed at significantly reducing carbon emissions in steel production. The 100 MW electrolysis plant, set to begin operations in 2026, will produce approximately 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually to support low-carbon steel manufacturing processes.

The electrolysis plant will be delivered on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis by international technology company ANDRITZ, utilizing HydrogenPro’s pressurized alkaline electrolysis technology. The green hydrogen generated will play a crucial role in Salzgitter AG’s efforts to transition towards virtually carbon-free steel production under the SALCOS® program.

Gerd Baresch, Technical Director of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, highlighted the project's importance: “Today’s spades in the ground represent a further major step in our SALCOS® program. This shows that the transformation of our company to low-carbon steel production is progressing on schedule. With this system for on-site hydrogen production, we are fulfilling our side of the bargain. The onus is now on governments to create suitable framework conditions for green production. The priorities here are competitive grid costs and a commitment to building the hydrogen economy.”

The green hydrogen plant forms a significant part of the broader strategy to establish a green hydrogen economy in Salzgitter and contribute to decarbonizing the steel industry. The project also aligns with European goals to reduce industrial carbon footprints and enhance energy sustainability.

Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President for Green Hydrogen at ANDRITZ, emphasized the company’s role in advancing climate-friendly technologies: “We are very proud to be making a contribution to the conversion to climate-friendly steel with the laying of the cornerstone today for our 100 MW electrolysis plant. Our extensive experience in the construction of major plants provides us with a solid foundation for realizing this innovative project. It fits perfectly with our long-term growth strategy which is focused on decarbonization and supports our customers such as Salzgitter in mastering their green transformation.”

The plant is expected to boost the industrial use of hydrogen within the SALCOS® framework, reinforcing Salzgitter AG’s commitment to sustainability and setting a benchmark for green hydrogen integration in steelmaking. The project also underscores the need for supportive regulatory frameworks, including competitive grid costs and robust infrastructure development, to fully realize the potential of green hydrogen in heavy industries.

Source and Photo: Salzgitter