Tata Steel Europe opts for hydrogen in Holland

Steelmaker Tata Steel's Ijmuiden facility, near Amsterdam, will adopt hydrogen-fed direct reduced iron (DRI) production to decarbonise its output, opting against carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The company will also invest in one or more electric arc furnaces to turn the iron into steel. Tata previously said it will reduce Ijmuiden's emissions by 5mn t/yr by 2030.

The decision has come as a surprise to some, as Ijmuiden was seen as a major candidate to adopt CCS technology.

"By choosing hydrogen as the technology to produce steel in the Netherlands, we want to take an important strategic step in making our steel production more sustainable. We fully support the steps to be taken by the management in Ijmuiden," Tata Steel chief executive and managing director TV Narendran said.

Tata will continue its feasibility study into developing the hydrogen-fed DRI route, including its impact on employment and emissions.

By Colin Richardson