ArcelorMittal`s Spanish Sestao plant is set to become the first global steel producer with zero CO2 emissions across its entire production process, Kallanish learns from the company. This will be possible by using green hydrogen and electricity from renewable energy sources.
The project is part of the memorandum of understanding that ArcelorMittal and the government of Spain signed on 13 June. The plan contemplates an investment of €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in the construction of a direct reduction plant with green hydrogen as well as a new hybrid electric furnace at the Gijón mill.
“This plan depends on supplying huge quantities of hydrogen at affordable prices, access to sustainable financing and a favourable legal framework that allows us to be competitive on a global scale,” company` ceo Aditya Mittal comments.
The Sestao plant – which manufactures a wide range of flat steel products for the automotive, construction and general industry sectors – is estimated to produce 1.6 million tonnes of zero-carbon steel by 2025. This will be possible by modifying the metallic charge in the two existing electric arc furnaces, increasing the proportion of recycled scrap and using pre-reduced iron produced with green hydrogen in Gijón. The electricity supply in all steel installations of the plant is set be from renewable energy sources, ArcelorMittal explains.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria