Hydnum Steel: Market demands more high-added-value products
Shifting to low-emissions steel products, investment in new technology and adapting to the requirements of a more demanding market will be essential for the development of the industry, says Hydnum Steel’s chief commercial officer, Gilles Mirol during a panel at the Kallanish Global Flat Steel conference held in Istanbul on 16 October.
“We are innovators in a business environment that now presents major challenges such as market protection, [Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism] CBAM, and unfair imports. Defending c4apex for a company already established in the sector is more difficult than for a company like Hydnum Steel, because it has to transform its production, business model, etc, while for us, it is an advantage to be a greenfield project,” Mirol observes.
Spain’s Hydnum Steel (HS) is building the first low-emissions steel mill on the Iberian Peninsula and will use fossil-free energy throughout the manufacturing process before gradually incorporating green hydrogen. The plant will have a flat steel capacity of 2.6 million tonnes/year and is expected to become operational in 2026.
Until 2030, many steel companies will have to adapt to the new rules of an advanced decarbonisation market, where HS will be very well-positioned.
According to Mirol, customers are changing and becoming more demanding of innovative and sustainable products.
“We see a deficiency in some products. Modern industrial projects demand the supply of high-added value steel, while the sale of poor-quality material will become more and more limited. There is a great opportunity for new actors producing low-emissions steel to become more and more important,” he continues.
Europe’s paradigm shift is already being transmitted to other regions that are more conservative in their investment in technological advances.
“The future does not belong only to the biggest producers with big investment capacities, but also to the most agile, to those who know how to anticipate trends and connect new technology. The development of the steel industry is no longer inherited, it is programmed,” he concludes.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
Gestamp and Hydnum Steel join forces to produce clean automotive steel
Gestamp, a leading multinational in automotive components (Tier 1 supplier), and Hydnum Steel, a new-generation flat steel producer, have signed an agreement to use clean steel produced with renewable energy and green hydrogen for automotive manufacturing — a major milestone in the decarbonisation of the mobility and steel value chain.
Under the partnership, Gestamp’s recycling subsidiary Gescrap will supply high-quality scrap from its stamping operations to Hydnum Steel’s Puertollano plant, where it will be transformed into ultra-low CO₂ steel through electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy and green hydrogen instead of natural gas. The resulting clean steel will be reincorporated into Gestamp’s production cycle, strengthening its circular economy strategy and supporting automakers’ transition toward the Net Zero Car.
Hydnum Steel’s upcoming Puertollano facility — the first of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula — will be a flagship project for industrial decarbonisation, combining green hydrogen, full scrap traceability, advanced digitalisation, and a zero-discharge water system. The process will reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 98% compared to conventional steelmaking.
According to Javier Imaz, Gestamp’s Chief Purchasing Officer, the agreement “marks another step forward in our efforts to decarbonize the automotive industry and strengthens our circular economy model.” Gilles Mirol, Chief Marketing Officer of Hydnum Steel, added that the collaboration “reflects the commitment of both companies to advancing a sustainable and efficient European industry.”
Hydnum Steel launches AI spin-off ‘Sbayt’ in Puertollano
Hydnum Steel has announced the launch of its artificial intelligence company, Sbayt, which will be headquartered in Puertollano, Spain. The new tech-focused subsidiary aims to drive digital transformation in the steel industry, offering advanced AI and big data solutions for steelmaking operations.
The announcement was made by Hydnum Steel CEO Eva Maneiro during the presentation of the company’s Citizen Participation Plan results. With a score of 4.8 out of 5 from 150 local stakeholders, the plan highlighted the strong community backing for Hydnum’s clean steel project.
“This is a decisive step in our commitment to industrial transformation and to this region,” said Maneiro. “Sbayt will be the engine of the intelligent steel industry of the future — and it starts here in Puertollano.”
In addition to the launch of Sbayt, Hydnum Steel unveiled the Agustín Escobar Excellence Scholarship, designed to support students from Puertollano and neighbouring areas in sustainability studies.
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, confirmed that the steel plant will be declared a Project of Singular Interest, accelerating its regulatory timeline. Other dignitaries present included regional ministers and the Mayor of Puertollano, all reaffirming support for the steel plant as a catalyst for regional development, employment, and industrial innovation.
Hydnum Steel is a 100% renewable-energy-powered steel facility and one of the most innovative decarbonisation projects in Europe. The company is backed by the Spanish Government’s PERTE programme and recognised by the World Economic Forum.
Puertollano (Spain) to Host Sbayt, Hydnum Steel Group’s AI Company
Hydnum to supply Kingspan with low-emissions steel
Hydnum Steel (HS) will supply Ireland-based building materials company Kingspan Group with low-emission flat steel, Kallanish learns from the prospective Spanish steelmaker. The companies will also collaborate to guarantee the most efficient logistics and circular economy solutions for ferrous scrap.
Kingspan is a high-performance building envelope and insulation solutions company with 273 manufacturing plants in more than 80 countries globally.
“For both companies, it’s not just about being part of the decarbonisation process, but leading it. This partnership shows it’s possible to reinvent the industry with a more human and planet-friendly approach,” says HS chief executive Eva Maneiro. “Through this alliance, our Puertollano plant will supply 100% green flat steel, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of one of the most emissions-intensive sectors.”
The collaboration supports Kingspan’s efforts to lower the environmental footprint of its building materials as part of its Planet Passionate sustainability programme.
“We’re working at pace to reduce the carbon footprint of our supply chain and product portfolio, but also to help accelerate the change in the steel industry, which will be critical to enabling the longer-term decarbonisation of the built environment,” adds Kingspan procurement director Mark Broderick.
HS is building the first “green” steel mill on the Iberian Peninsula. The facility, located in Puertollano, in the Castilla-La Mancha region, is designed to use fossil-free energy throughout the manufacturing process and will gradually incorporate green hydrogen to substantially reduce CO2 emissions.
HS aims to produce 1.5 million tonnes/year of flat steel, supplying key sectors such as automotive, construction and renewable energy. The project is valued at €1.65 billion ($1.87 billion). Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2025.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
Hydnum Steel secures €60 Million for Spain’s first Green Steel plant
Hydnum Steel has been awarded €60 million in funding by the Spanish Government under the PERTE for Industrial Decarbonisation, part of the EU’s Next Generation EU programme. The funding will support the construction of southern Europe’s first green steel plant, located in Puertollano, Spain.
This pioneering project aligns with the EU’s goals of reindustrialisation, strategic autonomy, and climate neutrality, and represents a major step forward for sustainable flat steel production in Europe.
Hydnum Steel has already secured 75% of its initial production through strategic agreements with key industrial players, including Gonvarri Industries, Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, and Knauf Interfer.
The initiative also pays tribute to Agustín Escobar, one of the visionaries behind the project, whose legacy continues to inspire the plant’s mission.
The project has been declared a Priority Project by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha and recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the five leading global projects in industrial decarbonisation.
For more information: hydnumsteel.com
Hydnum Steel to supply decarbonized flat steel to Thyssenkrupp’s service center subsidiary
Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, a service center subsidiary of German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Spain-based Hydnum Steel to join forces to drive the transition to a decarbonized steel industry.
Accordingly, Hydnum Steel will supply Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe with up to an annual 100,000 mt of decarbonized flat steel for an initial period of seven years. The products will be produced at the flat steel plant in Puertollano, Spain, currently under construction.
The agreement will enable Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, which has a wide range of customers in sectors including the automotive industry, construction and household appliances, to expand its range of environmentally friendly products and respond to the industry’s growing interest in sustainable solutions.
Hydnum Steel joined as Associate Member of EUROMETAL
EUROMETAL is delighted to welcome Hydnum Steel as a new Associate Member company.
Located in Puertollano (Spain), Hydnum Steel is the first green steel plant on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the first to be built worldwide. Its CO₂-free process is based on the use of renewable energy and green hydrogen.
With a production capacity set to reach 2.8 million tons of flat steel annually, the plant will be fully digitalized and will be a pioneer in the regeneration and reuse of urban and industrial waste water, becoming a model of water sustainability.
Hydnum Steel has been declared a Priority Project by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha and recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the five most innovative projects globally in the race to decarbonize steel production.
Discover the path to green steel > hydnumsteel.com
Hydnum Steel and Gonvarri Industries join forces to lead the green steel revolution in Iberia
Hydnum Steel, the first steelmaker to produce green steel on the Iberian Peninsula, has signed a landmark strategic agreement with Gonvarri Industries, a global leader in metal transformation, to drive the transition towards sustainable industrial practices in Spain and beyond.
The agreement, valued at €1 billion over an initial seven-year period, underscores a shared vision to promote green steel as a cornerstone for sustainable development. Hydnum Steel will supply decarbonised steel from its state-of-the-art green steel plant in Puertollano, set to become Spain’s leading producer with an annual capacity of 2.6 million tonnes of flat steel.
This partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility, positioning Spain as a European leader in green steel production.
The collaboration between Hydnum and Gonvarri aims to integrate green steel into key sectors such as construction, energy, and automotive, offering high-quality, low-carbon products that meet the strictest environmental standards.
Hydnum Steel CEO Eva Maneiro highlighted the company’s ambitious mission: “It’s not enough to be part of the change; we must lead it. Every tonne of green steel and every innovation we bring to the market challenges conventions and pushes the industry towards a truly sustainable future.”
Josu Calvo, CEO of Gonvarri Industries, echoed this sentiment: “Green steel is essential to meeting the sustainability demands of our customers and society. This agreement with Hydnum Steel strengthens our commitment to cleaner and more responsible steel.”
With over 65 years of expertise, Gonvarri Industries is a Spanish multinational specializing in transforming flat steel, aluminium, and metal solutions for industries including renewable energy, infrastructure, and automotive. Operating 59 factories in 21 countries, the company is a global leader in high-quality metal products and a pioneer in adopting advanced, sustainable technologies.
Hydnum Steel partners with Knauf Interfer to expand green steel distribution
Hydnum Steel, a pioneer in green steel production on the Iberian Peninsula, has entered into a strategic partnership with European steel processing and distribution company Knauf Interfer. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable steel solutions across Europe.
Under the terms of the agreement, Knauf Interfer will purchase green steel from Hydnum Steel for an estimated value of €80 million annually. This partnership will leverage Knauf Interfer’s extensive distribution network, including a trimodal hub in Duisburg, Germany, to efficiently deliver green steel to customers in Central Europe.
Beyond steel supply, the two companies plan to explore opportunities for value-added services, such as cutting, segmentation, and re-coiling. Knauf Interfer’s commitment to transparency will ensure that customers have access to clear information about the carbon footprint of Hydnum Steel’s products.
To further strengthen their sustainability efforts, Hydnum Steel and Knauf Interfer will collaborate on a circular economy initiative. This involves recycling ferrous scrap generated by Knauf Interfer’s operations at Hydnum Steel’s Puertollano plant, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in the transition to a more sustainable steel industry. By combining Hydnum Steel’s innovative green steel production with Knauf Interfer’s distribution expertise, the two companies are poised to drive the adoption of low-carbon steel solutions across Europe.
Hydnum and Euroports join forces for european steel logistics
Hydnum Steel, the first green steel plant in Spain, and Euroports, one of the leading port and logistics operators in Europe, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop integrated logistics solutions that will optimise the steel supply chain across the continent.
Under this agreement, both companies will work closely in the design and implementation of an efficient and sustainable logistics network, focused on improving the transportation, storage, and distribution of the steel coils that Hydnum Steel will produce at its Puertollano plant.
The collaboration also considers efficient and reliable logistics solutions for key steelmaking raw materials such as ferrous scrap, green metallics, and iron ore from various sources and different origins.
This partnership is based on Europort’s expertise in port infrastructure management and logistics services. For its part, Hydnum Steel requires a reliable logistics service for the import of iron ore and scrap metal, as well as the export of green steel coils.