thyssenkrupp Steel has reached another milestone on the path to sustainable steel production. The company has officially launched its call for tenders to supply H₂ to its first direct reduction plant. In conjunction with two innovative melters, this is the centerpiece of the first transformation step in thyssenkrupp's decarbonization process as part of the tkH2Steel project. The H₂ requirement is being put out to tender in a transparent and broad-based procedure, with the aim of operating the direct reduction plant fully on H₂ by as early as 2029.

The call for tenders is being organized in close coordination with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), which, together with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is funding the innovative plant project and the associated H₂ ramp-up to the tune of around two billion euros. This will make it possible to cease using natural gas at an early stage, while at the same time firing the starting pistol for the H₂ ramp-up in Germany.

The direct reduction plant, in conjunction with the two downstream melters, will be integrated into Europe's biggest iron and steel plant as a technologically new plant combination. It will be possible to retain all subsequent process steps from the steel mill onward. The 100% H₂-capable direct reduction plant has an annual production capacity of 2.5 MM metric t of directly reduced iron.

The first use of H₂ in the plant combination is planned for 2028, with the ramp-up to full H₂ operation to be completed in 2029. The use of around 143,000 metric t of H₂ (equivalent to 5.6 terawatt hours) will enable up to 3.5 MM metric tpy of CO₂ to be saved. As the largest German H₂ consumer, thyssenkrupp Steel will thus function as the initiator of and driving force behind a H₂ economy, paving the way for the decarbonization of the entire steel value chain.

The call for tenders for the H₂ volumes was already published in various German federal government and EU portals in mid-December. The tendering process will be divided into three phases and is aimed at all potential H₂ suppliers which have production projects for renewable green or CO₂-reduced blue H₂ with the ability to deliver to Duisburg. All interested suppliers will receive an information pack on the contract award process at the start of the first tendering phase, which begins in February 2024 and will culminate in a timely conclusion of binding supply contracts.

"We are delighted to be taking another significant step forward on our transformation path with this call for tenders," said Dr Arnd Köfler, Chief Technology Officer at thyssenkrupp Steel. "With the call for tenders, we are sending a clear signal for scaling up the European H₂ economy and the necessary infrastructure. This step will give our customers greater planning security when purchasing climate-friendly steel produced with H₂, and consequently enable them to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of their own production. In doing this, we are making an important contribution toward achieving the climate targets in Germany and Europe."