Name of the Project
Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (Hybrit) pilot project.

Location
The plan is to build the new hydrogen gas storage facility 25 m to 35 m below the ground on LKAB’s land in Svartöberget, close to the pilot plant currently under construction on SSAB’s site in Luleå, Sweden.

Project Owner/s
The project is a joint venture between steel manufacturer SSAB, mining company LKAB and energy company Vattenfall.

Project Description
Hybrit has the potential to reduce Sweden’s total carbon dioxide emissions by 10%.

The project aims to revolutionise steelmaking by replacing coking coal, traditionally required for ore-based steelmaking, with hydrogen. The result will be the world’s first fossil-free steelmaking technology, with virtually no carbon footprint.

Hybrit comprises three pilot projects.

Pilot project 1 comprises a pilot plant that will produce hydrogen and do tests on the direct reduction of iron-ore using hydrogen. The main energy source for the Hybrit concept will be fossil-free electricity from Vattenfall, which will be used for large-scale hydrogen production using water electrolysis and to run the electric arc furnaces.

Pilot project 2 involves experimental trials with alternative fuels and a new heating technology, which will take place in an experimental combustion furnace in Luleå and a plant in Malmberget, converted from fossil to renewable biofuel heating. Testing a bio-oil system is part of the pilot phase and the objective is to convert one of LKAB’s pelletising plants from fossil fuel to 100% renewable fuel. This means that fossil-generated carbon dioxide emissions from the Malmberget operation will be reduced by up to 40% during the test phase, which corresponds to about 60 000 t/y.

Pilot project 3 involves the construction of a 100 m³ hydrogen storage research facility for energy storage. The plan is to build the new facility 25 m to 35 m below the surface on LKAB’s land, in Svartöberget, close to the direct reduction iron-ore-pilot plant currently under construction on SSAB’s site, in Luleå.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The total cost for the pilot phase is estimated to be Skr1.4-billion. To date, SKr1.1-billion have been invested in the project.

Planned Start/End Date
The Hybrit initiative began in spring 2016, with the aim of having an industrial process in place by 2035.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2021.

Latest Developments
SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall are investing SKr150-million and the Swedish Energy Agency is contributing about SKr50-million towards the construction of the hydrogen storage facility at the Hybrit project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Hybrit public relations and communication head Yvonne Edenholm, tel +46 722 465 765 or email yvonne.edenholm@hybrit.se.