A heating furnace at Ovako ’ s Hofors steel mill , powered by fossil-free hydrogen
Fossil-free hydrogen plant powers progress in sustainable steel production
The steel industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact . A critical step in decarbonizing steel lies in removing fossil fuels across all stages of production . In September 2023 , Swedish steel manufacturer Ovako opened the world ’ s first plant to produce fossil-free hydrogen for heating steel before rolling . This is a significant step in helping the company meet its ambitious targets for a sustainable future .
By Anders Lugnet , Group Technical Specialist , Energy & Furnace Technology , Ovako AB
The hydrogen journey begins in Hofors
The new hydrogen plant is located at the Hofors steel mill , around 200 km north of Stockholm . This site has a long history of iron and steel production , beginning in 1549 , and started its shift toward decarbonization in 1930 with the installation of its first electric arc furnace ( EAF ).
Over time , the mill phased out its last blast furnace in 1977 and converted its steel heating
16 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 20 | February 2025