thyssenkrupp Steel selects MIDREX Flex™ for immediate CO2 emissions reduction

2023-03-14

Mar. 13, 2023 - Midrex Technologies, Inc. and Paul Wurth will partner to engineer, supply, and construct a 2.5 million tons/year MIDREX Flex™ direct reduction plant for thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG at its Duisburg, Germany, site. The plant will initially operate on reformed natural gas, which contains 50% or more hydrogen (H2) at the inlet to the furnace, until sufficient H2 is available, at which time it will be transitioned to up to 100% H2 operation. Furthermore, the direct reduction plant will be combined with advanced SMS group melting technology to significantly increase operating efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 3.5 million tons per year. Plant start-up is planned for end of 2026.

MIDREX Flex technology provides the flexibility to operate on different ratios of natural gas (NG) and hydrogen (H2), up to 100% H2. It will allow thyssenkrupp to use natural gas, which already provides significant CO2 savings over the conventional coke oven-blast furnace ironmaking route, until H2 is available in sufficient quantities, which is expected in 2027.

The hydrogen-based DRI plant is a major step in thyssenkrupp’s conversion of its integrated steelworks to a climate-neutral production site.

3D model of planned thyssenkrupp Steel Duisburg plant complex – courtesy of thyssenkrupp Steel

Stephen Montague, President & CEO of Midrex Technologies, Inc., said, “Midrex prides itself in being at the leading edge of technology, and with our SMS Group partners we are demonstrating that leadership in two first-of-their-kind green steel projects. We have decarbonization solutions that can be tailored to each steelmaker’s situation to ensure long-term sustainability while contributing to near-term profitability.”

Midrex and Paul Wurth are also collaborating on the world’s first greenfield steel mill based on totally green technology for H2 Green Steel in Boden, Sweden. MIDREX H2™ technology will be used to produce 2.1 million tons/year of HDRI and hot briquetted iron (HBI). The MIDREX Plant is expected to begin production in 2025 and ramp up during 2026.