Celsa Nordic targets start of hydrogen-based sustainable steel production in H2 2027

At the EUROMETAL meeting in Oslo, a Nordic division of Celsa Group provided details of its more than EUR 35 million project to introduce hydrogen in their value chain.

Celsa Nordic is making progress in its project to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 as compared to the 2018 level and become carbon neutral by 2050. The project is based on integrating a unique hydrogen-based solution. The first step of the two-phase hydrogen plan includes the construction of an elecrolyzer by Norwegian renewable energy company Statkraft in Mo industrial park. The second step involves the use of this green hydrogen in a reheating furnace to heat billets, Metal Expert learnt from the presentation made by Celsa Nordic’s marketing director, Halvard Meisfjord, during the Eurometal event in Oslo. The producer will be able to use hydrogen as a 100% energy source or in combination with natural gas in the new rolling mill furnace. Using a mix of different gases will help the producer hedge the risks arising from energy price volatility.

“When we succeed, we will be the world’s first steel producer offering the marked reinforcing steel produced using clean hydro power and green hydrogen,” the company said.

The producer expects investment in the project to be above NOK 400 million (EUR 35 million), of which NOK 121 million (EUR 11 million) is provided by state-owned funding firm Enova. It is now in the process of choosing the supplier of the new furnace. The construction of the elecrolyzer and the furnace is now planned to start in late 2026. Celsa Nordic aims to start producing the first products at the upgraded mill in H2 2027, Metal Expert learnt.

Celsa Nordic produced 683,000 t of rebar and wire rod in 2023, according to the presentation.

Earlier this year, Celsa Group announced it was considering an option of selling its international divisions in Norway, Poland and the UK to be able to repay its debts, Metal Expert reported.

Lilit Papoian – l.papoian@metalexpert.com

metalexpert.com