Kobe Steel, Ltd has taken delivery of a newly developed hydrogen-fired heating furnace supplied by Chugai Ro Co, Ltd, marking an important step in the company’s efforts to advance lower-carbon steel production technologies. The furnace will be installed at one of Kobe Steel’s production facilities and will support trials aimed at reducing carbon emissions in steel manufacturing processes.
Heating furnaces play a critical role in steel production, particularly in processes where steel slabs or billets must be reheated before rolling and shaping. Traditionally, such furnaces operate using fossil fuels such as natural gas. By adopting hydrogen as a fuel source, the new system has the potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the heating process.
The furnace supplied by Chugai Ro is designed to operate using hydrogen while maintaining the precise temperature control and operational stability required in industrial steel production. Hydrogen combustion presents technical challenges compared with conventional fuels, including differences in flame characteristics and heat distribution. To address these challenges, the furnace incorporates specialised burner technology and combustion control systems developed by Chugai Ro.
The new equipment will enable Kobe Steel to conduct operational studies on hydrogen combustion in high-temperature industrial environments. These studies are expected to generate valuable data on efficiency, heat transfer performance, and the integration of hydrogen-based systems within existing steel manufacturing processes.
Both companies view the project as an important step toward decarbonising heavy industry. Steel production remains one of the most energy-intensive industrial activities worldwide, and reducing emissions from heating and processing operations is considered a key priority for the sector.
Kobe Steel has been exploring multiple technologies aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions across its production facilities. The introduction of hydrogen-fuelled heating equipment forms part of the company’s broader strategy to develop more sustainable manufacturing processes while maintaining production reliability and product quality.
Chugai Ro, which specialises in industrial furnaces and thermal processing equipment, has been working on hydrogen-compatible combustion systems to support industries seeking alternatives to fossil fuels. The development of hydrogen-fired furnaces is expected to play a growing role as companies look to transition toward cleaner energy sources.
The delivery of the new furnace represents a collaborative effort between the two companies to explore practical applications of hydrogen in industrial heating systems. The results of the operational trials will contribute to future developments in low-emission steel manufacturing technologies. By introducing hydrogen-based heating equipment into its operations, Kobe Steel aims to accelerate research into sustainable production methods and support the global transition toward lower-carbon industrial processes.
