A cornerstone ceremony has been held for one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plants, set to begin operation in 2026 at the Salzgitter Flachstahl site in Germany. Once operational, the plant will produce approximately 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, which will be used in the production of carbon-reduced steel as part of the Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking (SALCOS) program.
The 100MW electrolysis plant, supplied by international technology company Andritz, will employ pressurised alkaline electrolysis technology from HydrogenPro. The plant represents a significant step toward Salzgitter’s goal of achieving virtually carbon-free steel production.
Gerd Baresch, managing director for the technical division of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH (SFZG), described the event as a “major step” in the transformation of the company’s steel production. He added, “This shows that the transformation of our company to low-carbon steel production is progressing on schedule. With this system for on-site hydrogen production, we are fulfilling our side of the bargain. The onus is now on governments to create suitable framework conditions for green production.”
The SALCOS program is being developed in stages, which also include a direct reduction plant and an electric arc furnace, both of which are currently under construction. The 100MW electrolysis plant will supply the hydrogen required for these processes, with Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH expected to bring products made using this new method to market by 2026.
Sami Pelkonen, Andritz’s executive vice-president for green hydrogen, expressed pride in the project, saying, “We are very proud to be making a contribution to the conversion to climate-friendly steel with the laying of the cornerstone today for our 100MW electrolysis plant.” He added that the project aligns with the company’s long-term growth strategy, focusing on decarbonization and supporting customers like Salzgitter in their green transformation.
The launch of this plant will mark a significant milestone in the industrial use of hydrogen, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to advancing the hydrogen economy and reducing emissions from its steel production sector.
