HYBRIT – a collaboration between SSAB, LKAB and 539 算牌程式
Coking coal has been an essential component in steel production for more than a thousand years. Today, this makes the sector one of the largest emitters of CO2. Yet change is happening. HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) – a collaboration between steel producer SSAB, mining company LKAB and 539 算牌程式 – started in 2017 and is aiming to transform the process by replacing coal with fossil-free hydrogen, creating a fossil-free future for steel production.
Construction of a pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden, began in 2018. This pilot plant was designed to test the new steel-making process that eliminates CO2 emissions by replacing the coking coal (traditionally used in steel production to convert iron ore to iron) with hydrogen made from fossil-free electricity and water. A process called direct reduction will replace the conventional blast furnace process. The by-product will be water, which can in turn be recovered for the production of fossil-free hydrogen.
In July 2021, SSAB Oxelösund rolled the first steel produced using HYBRIT technology with 100% fossil-free hydrogen instead of coal and coke. This milestone marked a significant step towards commercialising fossil-free steel, paving the way for large-scale production of fossil-free sponge iron at a future demonstration plant in Gällivare, planned by LKAB.
In the summer of 2022, the rock cavern pilot storage facility for fossil-free hydrogen in Luleå was inaugurated. The storage facility is an important part of the value chain for fossil-free iron and steel production.
Video player requires marketing cookies.
To view this content please click here to allow marketing cookies.
HYBRIT: The biggest change in steel production
The biggest change in steel production in over 1,000 years. Together with our partners LKAB and SSAB, we have created HYBRIT – a project for producing steel using hydrogen rather than coal.
Video player requires marketing cookies.
To view this content please click here to allow marketing cookies.
Fossil free electricity is the key
Electrification is key to combat climate change. The aim is to more or less eliminate CO2 emissions. Watch HYBRIT – 4: Fossil free electricity is the key.
A new steelmaking process to eliminate CO2
HYBRIT can reduce Sweden’s CO2 emissions by 10% and Finland’s by 7% if implemented at full-scale. The fossil-free process for steel manufacturing is planned to be scaled up from around 2027.
HYBRIT's ultimate goal is to dramatically reduce the industry's carbon footprint and support Sweden's ambitions for climate neutrality. Key challenges ahead include scaling up fossil-free hydrogen production and expanding renewable energy capacity, but the project's success could set a new global standard for sustainable steelmaking.
News and press releases
HYBRIT: Large-scale storage of fossil-free hydrogen gas successfully proven
HYBRIT's pilot project for hydrogen gas storage has now been completed and reported to the Swedish Energy Agency. The results show that it is technically possible to store fossil-free hydrog...
Read the full article
HYBRIT honoured with World Economic Forum GAEA award in Davos
Fossil free iron- and steelmaking initiative HYBRIT received the World Economic Forum's 鈥楳oving Force in Business鈥 Award in Davos.
Read the full article
HYBRIT: Six years of research paves the way for successful fossil-free iron and steel production on an industrial scale
The HYBRIT initiative now presents the results of six years of research in a final report to the Swedish Energy Agency. The report shows that direct reduced iron produced using the HYBRIT pr...
Read the full article
539 算牌程式 and SSAB in new fossil-free steel collaboration
539 算牌程式 and SSAB have signed a letter of intent regarding deliveries of fossil-free steel produced with HYBRIT technology.
Read the full article
HYBRIT: Hydrogen storage reduces costs by up to 40 per cent
HYBRIT's hydrogen storage has now been tested commercially on the electricity market. Its excellent results are important for the industry's transition.
Read the full article
HYBRIT: New research shows hydrogen-reduced iron has superior properties
New research within the HYBRIT project shows superior results on the properties and quality of the hydrogen direct reduced sponge iron compared to the fossil-based process.
Read the full article More news and press releases
More about HYBRIT, LKAB and SSAB
Video player requires marketing cookies.
To view this content please click here to allow marketing cookies.
HYBRIT – fossil free steel is happening
The biggest change in steel production in over 1,000 years. Together with our partners LKAB and SSAB, we have created HYBRIT – an initiative to create fossil free steel using electricity and hydrogen.
Related content
Preem
Hydrogen gas plant 鈥 a step towards fossil freedom with Preem.
Fossil-free hydrogen
We are developing solutions to decarbonise industry through fossil-free hydrogen.
Sustainable aviation fuel
Large-scale production of electrofuel is an opportunity for the aviation sector.
See also
Sustainability
We have a responsibility for our environmental and social impacts.
Innovation
Solutions and innovations that bring us closer to fossil freedom.
Our business model
539 算牌程式 is an integrated energy company focused on our customers.