Ovako, one of the leading European manufacturer of steel and steel recyclers in the Nordic countries, is inaugurating the H₂ plant at its Hofors mill. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the effort towards a more sustainable steel industry, with the potential for substantial reductions in global emissions, including other heavy industries. The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will inaugurate the facility onsite on September 5, 2023.

“Our steel mill in Hofors was founded as early as the 16th century, and with the new H₂ plant, we begin a new chapter in Swedish steel history. Heating steel products has previously required large amounts of fossil fuels. We are now the first in the world to heat steel with fossil-free H₂ before rolling, reducing the emissions in this production step to almost zero," said Marcus Hedblom, President and CEO Ovako Group.

The fossil-free H₂ produced in Ovako's new facility will be used to heat steel at adjacent rolling mills, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions to nearly zero. In addition to steel heating, the H₂ will be used for fueling fuel cell-powered trucks, and the excess heat from the plant will be used for district heating.

The fossil-free H₂ plant in Hofors is the largest in operation in Europe. This solution for industrial heating technology holds the potential for substantial global emissions reductions, not limited to the steel industry.

“The H₂ plant strengthens Sweden's position in sustainable innovations. There is an increasing demand for climate-neutral steel, in which we already hold a leading position, and there is significant interest in the industry for these types of new solutions. Now, we are showing the way forward for making high-grade industrial heat entirely fossil-free, not just for steel," said Marcus Hedblom.

By collaborating with partners such as the Volvo Group, Hitachi Energy, H₂ Green Steel and Nel Hydrogen, Ovako is ensuring that the Hofors plant will make a difference from day one. The development of the H₂ plant has been supported by the Swedish Energy Agency and the European Union.