Brazilian steelmaker Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) plans to start green hydrogen production in August-September this year through a demonstration plant, Kallanish learns.
The so-called Selene project is being developed by CSN Inova, the steelmaker’s innovation branch. Once operational, it will produce up to 709 tonnes/year of hydrogen, following an investment of BRL 120 million ($22.9m).
According to Vinicius Sant’Ana, CSN Paraná plant general manager, the launch marks an important step towards the future of the industry and renewable fuels.
“This strategic initiative reinforces our commitment to decarbonisation, driving sustainable solutions for both industry and mobility,” he adds.
While production is set to supply vehicles including trucks, fork-lift and buses in and around the mill, the steelmaker has yet to confirm whether it plans to use hydrogen in its steelmaking process. CSN Paraná is a lamination and coating unit situated in Araucária, with capacity to produce 130,000t/y of pre-painted steel, 230,000t/y of galvanized steel and 150,000t/y of hot-rolled stripped coils.
“The future of the industry is built when innovation, scale and market begin to move together,” comments Weber Reis, CSN commercial general manager. “The energy transition requires technology, but it also demands coordination, a business model and implementation capacity.”
According to the company’s website, the CSN group, which includes mining, cement, energy and logistics units, has mapped more than 100 projects and technologies under viability studies. Yet, details on decarbonising targets and strategies have yet to be disclosed.
Brasília has recently launched a sectoral plan for the decarbonisation of industry, seeking to increase renewable energy consumption, amongst other things, to above 65% over the next ten years. Some of the priorities relate to promoting energy efficiency, electrification of processes, adoption of scrap and charcoal as steelmaking inputs instead of coke or coking coal, plus the use of carbon capture and storage technology and hydrogen.
Kallanish has contacted CSN for further information.
