British Steel launches green hydrogen feasibility study
(Posted on 31/05/22)
British Steel is conducting a major study into the use of green hydrogen in the company’s drive to decarbonise its operations and manufacture net zero steel.
The steelmaker, which is collaborating with EDF UK, UCL (University College London) and the Materials Processing Institute, has pledged to deliver net zero steel by 2050 and significantly reduce its CO2 intensity by 2030 and 2035.
To support its ambitious plans, it has secured funding from the UK Government for a feasibility study into switching from natural gas to green hydrogen as a fuel source for re-heating furnaces.
If the study is successful, British Steel will undertake an industrial-scale demonstration which could see the technology developed and rolled out across all its operations including its main manufacturing base in Scunthorpe. It could also be adopted by other UK steelmakers.
British Steel’s Environment and Sustainability Director, Lee Adcock, said: “As an energy intensive industry with hard to abate emissions, the steel industry offers the potential for large CO2 emission savings through fuel switching from natural gas to hydrogen. This study is, therefore, a vital and hugely exciting step on our journey to developing the technology needed to transform the way we, and other steel manufacturers, operate.
“We’re extremely grateful for the government’s support and look forward to working with our partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, enabling us to manufacture the clean, green steel society needs.”
British Steel won funding for the research from the UK Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). The NZIP funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) provides funding for low-carbon technologies and systems. Decreasing the costs of decarbonisation, the Portfolio will help enable the UK to end its contribution to climate change. With its partners, British Steel is now undertaking a 6-month study based on operations at its Teesside Beam Mill.
The study links into the Tees Green Hydrogen project – a pioneering scheme that will use green electricity from the nearby Teesside Offshore Wind Farm along with a new solar farm, which EDF Renewables UK intends to construct near Redcar, to power its hydrogen electrolyser. Tees Green Hydrogen will supply local business customers with hydrogen to support decarbonisation efforts and a significant reduction in industrial pollution.
British Steel’s Head of R&D, Dr Gari Harris, said: “As part of the feasibility study, EDF UK R&D will carry out a technoeconomic assessment of the methodology and practicality of delivery of green hydrogen for fuel switching into the steel manufacturing process, and British Steel will assess the technical implications of the fuel switch on both product and process.
“Together the partners will carry out an assessment of the economic viability and environmental impact of switching from natural gas to hydrogen in defined aspects of steel manufacturing. The Materials Processing Institute and UCL will also play a role in aiding in the assessment of the product and process viability for British Steel.”
Latest News
SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany
(Posted on 29/05/26)SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more
NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application
(Posted on 29/05/26)In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more
EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more
Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery
(Posted on 22/05/26)Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more
Tripartite MOU to establish direct U.S.–DRC cobalt supply chain
(Posted on 14/05/26)Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EVelution Energy LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd. has announced... Read more
Commissioning of Oxelösund electric arc furnace delayed due to permitting
(Posted on 14/05/26)SSAB’s conversion of the mill in Oxelösund to fossil-free production is being delayed due... Read more
YEC agreement supports decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations
(Posted on 11/05/26)Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy... Read more
ASA Vice President urges caution in USTR Section 301 investigation
(Posted on 11/05/26)Soybean farmers are already facing significant economic headwinds and new trade actions could add further... Read more
ADM investment to upgrade Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility
(Posted on 11/05/26)ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a multimillion-dollar investment... Read more
JV in Bayuquan, China to strengthen global raw material supply chains
(Posted on 04/05/26)CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH has announced the official opening of its joint venture, CREMER (Yingkou) Supply... Read more
