Salzgitter orders 100 MW green hydrogen plant from ANDRITZ for low CO2 steel production: SALCOS

The Salzgitter Group has selected technology group ANDRITZ to supply one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen plants for the SALCOS (SAlzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking) program, which aims to achieve virtually CO₂-free (green) steel production. (Earlier post.)

ANDRITZ will build a 100 MW electrolysis plant at the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH site on an EPC basis, incorporating pressurized alkaline electrolyzer technology from HydrogenPro. The 100 MW plant will comprise 18 units of HydrogenPro’s 5.5MW cell stacks.

Starting in 2026, the plant will produce around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, which will be used to produce green steel. This will mark the start of the industrial utilization of hydrogen under the SALCOS program.

The commissioning of the electrolysis plant marks a significant step in the SALCOS program and underlines our leading position in the transformation of the industry. In order to enable us to reduce the CO₂ footprint of our steel production in the future, it is imperative that we connect to the emerging hydrogen infrastructure as quickly as possible. This is the only way we will be able to fully exploit the potential of SALCOS. Here, policymakers are now also called upon to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and accelerate the development of a hydrogen infrastructure.

—Ulrich Grethe, Chairman of the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH Management Board

The SALCOS program will be realized in three stages. The first stage will be operational as early as 2026 and will comprise a direct reduction plant, an electric arc furnace (both previously ordered) and the 100 MW electrolysis plant for green hydrogen production. The conversion to a virtually CO₂-free steel production at the Salzgitter site is to be completed by the end of 2033, well ahead of the statutory requirements.

The financing of stage 1 of SALCOS has been secured by subsidies from the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Lower Saxony, as well as through Salzgitter AG’s own substantial funds.