Hydrogen in Steel Industry: Top 10 Projects & Companies

Green Steel’s Hydrogen Revolution: Pioneering Decarbonization in the Steel Industry

Imagine a world where steel, the backbone of modern infrastructure, is produced without contributing to climate change. This vision is rapidly becoming reality, fueled by the innovative application of green hydrogen in steelmaking. These projects aren’t just about reducing emissions; they represent a fundamental shift in how we produce this essential material. Let’s delve into the groundbreaking installations leading this green revolution.

Installations: Powering the Green Steel Transformation

Here’s a look at some of the most significant green hydrogen projects reshaping the steel industry:

1. H2 Green Steel (Sweden)

Company: H2 Green Steel
Installation Capacity: 700 MW electrolyzer. The steel plant requires 1.2-1.3 GW of electrolysis running at full load for a 4 Mt crude steel per year plant.
Applications: Green steel production using hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore.
Source: [PDF] Global Hydrogen Review 2023 – NET, [PDF] Steel From Solar Energy – Hydrogen Europe, World’s largest hydrogen “green steel” plant to open in Sweden by …

2. NEOM Green Hydrogen Project

Company: Not specified in the context of steel, but a major hydrogen project.
Installation Capacity: The project aims to produce 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
Applications: While not exclusively for steel, it represents a large-scale green hydrogen production that can potentially supply the steel industry.
Source: Top 10 Green Hydrogen Projects in the World [2025]

3. Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH (Germany)

Company: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
Installation Capacity: 100 MW electrolysis plant
Applications: Green hydrogen production for low-carbon steel production.
Source: Cornerstone Laid for Europe’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant

4. Angang Steel RE-H2-DRI Project (China)

Company: Angang Steel
Installation Capacity: Not specified, but it is the world’s first project to utilize green hydrogen in a “zero carbon fluidized bed.”
Applications: Green hydrogen in steel production.
Source: Will China Win the Green Steel Race? H2-DRI-EAF Market and …

5. Iberdrola Green Ammonia Project (Spain)

Company: Iberdrola
Installation Capacity: 800 MW electrolyzer plant
Applications: Green ammonia production, with steel tanks for hydrogen storage, implying potential future use in steelmaking.
Source: Techno-economic assessment of a hydrogen based green steel …

6. Possible Tata Steel Project (Netherlands)

Company: Tata Steel
Installation Capacity: 100 MW electrolysis plant.
Applications: Deployment of hydrogen to produce fuels and/or basic chemicals.
Source: [PDF] Overview of Hydrogen Projects in the Netherlands – Topsector Energy

7. Mauritania Steel Industry Projects

Company: GreenGo Energy, CWP
Installation Capacity: GreenGo Energy’s 35 GW Megaton Moon, CWP’s 16-20 GW Aman
Applications: Fueling steel industry with green hydrogen.
Source: Mauritania’s Steel Industry Fueled by Green Hydrogen

8. Uniper Green Hydrogen Plant (Germany)

Company: Uniper
Installation Capacity: 200 MW electrolyzer plant
Applications: Not specified, but it represents a large-scale green hydrogen production that can potentially supply the steel industry.
Source: Top 15 Hydrogen Electrolyzer Manufacturers (By Capacity) | 2025

9. Hydrogen-based Steel Plant in Mississippi

Company: SSAB
Installation Capacity: Not specified.
Applications: Hydrogen-based steel plant
Source: What will it take for the American steel industry to go ‘fossil-free’?

10. Green Hydrogen Project in UAE

Company: Masdar, Emirates Steel Arkan
Installation Capacity: Not specified.
Applications: Green hydrogen-based project to decarbonize the UAE’s steel sector.
Source: These 5 producers are paving way for near-zero emissions steel

Table: Green Hydrogen Projects in the Steel Industry

Steel Giants Embrace Hydrogen: A Sign of Things to Come

The diverse applications of green hydrogen in steel production highlight its potential to revolutionize the industry. From H2 Green Steel’s direct reduction of iron ore to Angang Steel’s innovative zero-carbon fluidized bed, the technology is being implemented across the entire steelmaking process. Notably, projects like Iberdrola’s green ammonia initiative, while not directly steel-focused, demonstrate the development of critical infrastructure that can eventually support the integration of hydrogen into steel production. The fact that major players like Tata Steel are also investing in hydrogen deployment, even if initially for other chemicals, signals a broader recognition of hydrogen’s value in industrial decarbonization, with the potential to scale towards steelmaking in the future.

Green Steel Goes Global: A Race to Zero Emissions

Geographically, Europe and Asia are leading the charge, with significant investments in Sweden, Germany, China, and the Netherlands. H2 Green Steel in Sweden stands out with its ambitious scale. China’s Angang Steel highlights the country’s growing focus on green technologies. The involvement of companies like Masdar in the UAE underscores the global nature of this transition, as regions traditionally associated with fossil fuels begin to invest in sustainable alternatives. Mauritania could become a future leader, using its solar potential to power massive hydrogen production for steelmaking. North America lags slightly, but SSAB’s project in Mississippi shows that the region is beginning to move on green steel. This geographical distribution indicates a competitive landscape where regions are vying to become hubs for green steel production, driven by both environmental concerns and economic opportunities.

From Pilot to Production: Green Hydrogen Steel Technology Matures

These installations reflect a range of technology maturity levels. Projects like H2 Green Steel represent a significant leap toward commercial-scale green steel production, moving beyond pilot projects to large-scale implementation. Salzgitter Flachstahl’s 100 MW electrolysis plant represents a more incremental approach, but it is still a crucial step in scaling up green hydrogen production for the steel industry. The involvement of companies like Uniper, traditionally a major player in fossil fuels, indicates a growing recognition of the need to transition to cleaner energy sources. While some projects, such as the NEOM project and Iberdrola’s ammonia initiative, are broader in scope, their potential to supply the steel industry with green hydrogen underscores the interconnectedness of the hydrogen economy and its role in decarbonizing various sectors.

The Future is Forged in Green: A Vision for Sustainable Steel

These green hydrogen projects are more than just individual installations; they are building blocks for a future where steel production is environmentally sustainable. They are paving the way for a new generation of steel plants that operate with significantly lower carbon footprints, and demonstrate the viability of green hydrogen as a key enabler of decarbonization. As technology advances and economies of scale are achieved, we can expect to see more widespread adoption of green hydrogen in the steel industry, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable future. The involvement of diverse players, from established steelmakers to energy giants, suggests that this transition is gaining momentum and has the potential to reshape the industry for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is green hydrogen and how is it used in steel production?
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind, making it a low-carbon fuel. In steel production, it replaces coal in the direct reduction of iron ore, eliminating the major source of carbon emissions in traditional steelmaking.

Which companies are leading the way in green hydrogen steel production?
Companies like H2 Green Steel in Sweden, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH in Germany, and Angang Steel in China are pioneering the use of green hydrogen in steelmaking. SSAB in the US and Masdar with Emirates Steel Arkan in the UAE are also venturing into green hydrogen steel projects.

What are the main benefits of using green hydrogen in steelmaking?
The primary benefit is a significant reduction in carbon emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. It also supports the development of a sustainable steel industry and fosters innovation in green technologies.

Where are the major green hydrogen steel projects located?
The most significant projects are currently located in Europe (Sweden, Germany, Netherlands), Asia (China, UAE) and there is one project in the US. Additionally, Mauritania has large scale projects in development that could supply the steel industry.

Is green steel production currently cost-competitive with traditional steelmaking?
While the initial investment costs for green hydrogen infrastructure are high, the cost is decreasing as technology advances and production scales up. Government incentives, carbon pricing, and increasing demand for sustainable products are also helping to make green steel more economically viable. As the cost of carbon increases, green steel is becoming more and more competitive.