On February 12, the foundation stone was officially laid for one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plants. Once completed in 2026, the facility will produce around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, which will be used in the production of CO2-reduced steel.
This project is a major milestone in the implementation of SALCOS® (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking), a program aimed at achieving steel production with minimal CO2 emissions. The launch of the industrial use of hydrogen marks a significant milestone in the SALCOS® (Salzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking) initiative, which aims to produce steel with minimal CO₂ emissions. As part of this transformation, international technology company ANDRITZ will deliver a 100 MW electrolysis plant on an EPC basis, utilizing HydrogenPro’s pressure alkaline electrolysis technology.
Gerd Baresch, Technical Director of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “Today’s foundation stone laying represents another major step in our SALCOS® program. It demonstrates our steady progress toward low-CO₂ steel production. With this on-site hydrogen production plant, we are fulfilling our responsibilities. Now, it is crucial for policymakers to establish favorable conditions for green production, particularly by ensuring competitive grid costs and fostering the growth of the hydrogen economy.”
Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President of Green Hydrogen at ANDRITZ, expressed pride in the company’s contribution, saying, “We are thrilled to support the transition to climate-friendly steel with the groundbreaking of our 100 MW electrolysis plant. Our extensive experience in large-scale plant construction provides a strong foundation for realizing this innovative project. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our long-term growth strategy focused on decarbonization, assisting customers like Salzgitter in their green transition.”
SALCOS® is being implemented in phases, featuring a direct reduction plant, an electric arc furnace (both currently under construction), and the 100 MW electrolysis plant for hydrogen production. Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH plans to introduce products from this new production route as early as 2026. The full transition to near CO₂-free steel production at the Salzgitter site is targeted for completion by 2033.
Starting in 2026, the facility will generate approximately 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, which will be used to manufacture CO₂-reduced steel. This marks a pivotal moment in the industrial application of hydrogen within the SALCOS® initiative, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and low-emission steel production.
