“This is another concrete step in our process of evolving toward low-CO₂, hydrogen-based steel production underpinned by our prestigious Salzgitter Low-CO₂ Steelmaking technology concept. Once this step has been realized, we will be making a decisive contribution to achieving the climate targets,” said Salzgitter AG chief executive Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann. 

Salzgitter said it is considering the port of Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony as the home for the facility. 

“Together with our local industrial partners, the Wilhelmshaven site offers very favorable preconditions for an optimal sector coupling of renewable energies for hydrogen electrolysis and the low-CO₂ direct reduction of iron ore,” said Fuhrmann. 

The company said it plans to wrap up the study by next March.