The Austrian steel company Voestalpine has announced that the construction of the Hy4Smelt demonstration plant, which will conduct research on the production of zero-carbon steel using direct hydrogen-based reduction and electric melting, is progressing according to schedule.
Construction began in September. In 2025, work was completed on the construction of a smelter, a grinding and drying shop and the foundation for the HYFOR tower, as well as a hydrogen pipeline about a kilometer long connecting the facility to the neighboring p-Future plant, which will supply the hydrogen needed for direct recovery. Starting this fall, key equipment will be delivered, including a melting furnace and HYFOR reactors. In HYFOR reactors, ultrafine iron ore will be processed into spongy iron using hydrogen and fluidized bed technology.
Research work is scheduled to begin in November. 2027
The construction of the demonstration plant is scheduled to be completed in 2027, and research work is expected to begin in November of the same year and last for three years. According to Voestalpine, the project will simulate continuous operations in order to gain experience in hydrogen-based steel production and provide expertise for the future construction and operation of an industrial plant. The Hy4Smelt facility is part of Voestalpine's program to transform steel into greentec steel and supports the company's goal of producing steel with zero carbon dioxide emissions. 2050.
The project is being implemented jointly with the supplier of factory technologies Primetals Technologies and the global company Rio Tinto. Primetals Technologies is responsible for the development and implementation of production technologies, while Rio Tinto provides the technical expertise and approximately 70% of the iron ore required for Hy4Smelt production.
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