Mining firm in Sweden plans to employ green hydrogen in a bid to lower carbon dioxide emissions.
In the spirit of the Swedish government's EU Council Presidency and the European Green Deal, a leading Swedish mining company, LKAB, has announced plans to make its iron ore production more environmentally friendly.
LKAB, Europe's largest iron ore producer, with its site in Kiruna representing 80% of all iron ore in the European Union, aims to reduce CO2 emissions significantly. According to research leader Susanne Eriksson Rostmark, the current process uses coal and carbon to remove oxygen from iron ore pellets, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide. In the new process, hydrogen will replace these fossil fuels, making the production process carbon dioxide-free.
The use of green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is expected to revolutionise the industry. This shift is not limited to LKAB alone. The European Union's Innovation Fund has contributed €143 million towards the green hydrogen project.
The new Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (HYBRIT) will allow for cleaner steel production. In the new process, hydrogen will be used to remove oxygen from iron ore pellets, producing only water vapour and eliminating CO2 emissions. This breakthrough, if successful, will help de-carbonise the steel industry, according to Susanne Eriksson Rostmark.
The European Commission will present proposals next month for a new green industrial plan and a new European Sovereignty Fund to enhance public investment. These initiatives are likely to provide further support for companies like LKAB as they strive to make their operations more sustainable.
Ebba Busch, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry of Sweden, has emphasised the need for better conditions for industries to reach high-set goals. She believes that with the right support, industries can play a significant role in the green industrial revolution, especially considering that iron is a key component in steel.
Elsewhere, the Indian company Greenh Electrolyse, a partnership between H2B2 Electrolyse Technologies and GR Promotor Group, has decided to implement green hydrogen technology in their production process. They plan to launch a 1 MW Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer in Jhajjar, Haryana, India, in October 2024, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions through hydrogen production for fuel cell applications.
As we step into 2023, the use of green hydrogen in industrial processes is set to become a key part of the global effort to combat climate change. With the support of governments, businesses, and technological advancements, we can look forward to a future where sustainable practices become the norm.
