According to Salzgitter, the plant, to be built at its Salzgitter Flachstahl facility in Germany, would produce approximately 9,000 tons of hydrogen annually. It is to be operational in 2026. 
 
“The commissioning of the electrolysis plant marks a significant step in the SALCOS® program and underlines our leading position in the transformation of the industry. In order to enable us to reduce the CO₂ footprint of our steel production in the future, it is imperative that we connect to the emerging hydrogen infrastructure as quickly as possible,” said Ulrich Grethe, chairman of Salzgitter Flachstahl’s management board.
 
Construction of the plant, along with a direct reduction plant and an electric arc furnace, are the first phase of Salzgitter’s decarbonization initiative, called SALCOS. Through SALCOS, Salzgitter aims to become virtually CO₂-free by 2033.