On February 12, construction officially began on one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plants. The facility, set to open in 2026, will produce around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will play a key role in manufacturing steel with significantly reduced CO2 emissions.
The project is a critical part of the SALCOS® program (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking), which aims to revolutionize steel production by cutting CO2 emissions. A major step in this initiative is the industrial use of hydrogen. International technology firm ANDRITZ will build a 100 MW electrolysis plant using HydrogenPro’s advanced pressure alkaline electrolysis technology.
Gerd Baresch, Technical Director of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, highlighted the significance of the project. “Today’s groundbreaking is a major milestone for SALCOS®,” he said. “It shows our commitment to low-CO2 steel production. With this hydrogen plant, we’re taking responsibility for a greener future. Now, policymakers must create the right conditions for green production, like competitive grid costs and a stronger hydrogen economy.”
Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President of Green Hydrogen at ANDRITZ, expressed pride in the company’s role. “We’re proud to support the shift to climate-friendly steel with this 100 MW electrolysis plant,” he said. “Our expertise in large-scale projects ensures we can deliver this innovative solution. This project fits perfectly with our focus on decarbonization and helping customers like Salzgitter achieve their green goals.”
The SALCOS® program is being rolled out in stages. It includes a direct reduction plant, an electric arc furnace (both currently under construction), and the 100 MW electrolysis plant for hydrogen production. Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH plans to launch products from this new production method as early as 2026. The company aims to fully transition to near CO2-free steel production at its Salzgitter site by 2033.
Once operational in 2026, the plant will produce approximately 9,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, directly supporting the production of low-CO2 steel. This marks a major step forward in the industrial use of hydrogen and reinforces SALCOS®’s commitment to sustainable, low-emission steelmaking.
