German steel companies Thyssenkrupp Steel and HKM are working with the Port of Rotterdam to evaluate opportunities to import hydrogen.

The firms will simultaneously investigate the possibility of a hydrogen pipeline between Rotterdam and facilities operated by Thyssenkrupp and HKM in Duisburg.

“Vast imports of hydrogen are necessary if Europe and Germany want to reduce CO₂ emissions and become climate-neutral by 2050, while maintaining its strong industrial backbone,” the firms say.

7-9pc – Steelmaking’s share of global emissions

“The cooperation between Rotterdam as Europe’s largest port and Duisburg as Europe’s largest steel site can have a signalling effect to establish supply chains for the energy transition,” they add.

Hydrogen is considered one of the few options available for decarbonising the steelmaking process, which typically burns coal. Steel production generates 7-9pc of global CO₂ emissions. But hydrogen is much more expensive and difficult to transport than coal. A number of firms are looking at the various options for doing so, including conversion into ammonia and then cracking at the delivery site.

The port is looking at delivery options from a number of countries around the world and the development of a local hydrogen pipeline network.

Norway-based Equinor, gas transmission system operator OGE and steel producer Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe are considering establishing a blue hydrogen production plant at Eemshaven that would use CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure in Rotterdam.

The Eemshaven site is one of three potential locations for the project.

Thyssenkrupp is also conducting a feasibility study along with utility Steag to build an electrolysis plant at the energy firm’s Duisburg-Walsum facility. Steag would operate the plant.

---

Author: Tom Young