Genvia and ArcelorMittal announce the signing of a demonstrator contract to introduce green electrolytic hydrogen into the production of low-carbon steels

The Genvia SOEL200 demonstrator, which includes a Heat Recovery Unit (HRU) and a Hydrogen Purification/Compression Unit (HPU), will produce hydrogen through steam electrolysis, taking advantage of the residual heat from ArcelorMittal’s continuous annealing process.

This is the first experimental Genvia demonstrator to maximise the efficiency of low-carbon hydrogen production by recovering residual heat from an existing industrial facility.

The deployment of the Genvia SOEL200 electrolyser at the Saint-Chély-d’Apcher site will, during the trial period, replace traditional hydrogen produced by natural gas reforming with low-carbon hydrogen via electrolysis. The site will also be the first to couple, on demand, hydrogen from electrolysis with that produced by the existing Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) process.

Florence Lambert, Genvia CEO commented:

“We are delighted to collaborate with ArcelorMittal to test our SOEL200 system under industrial conditions. This project represents a significant advancement toward the decarbonisation of the steel industry, aligning our efforts with global CO2 emission reduction objectives. It marks a strategic milestone in scaling up our SOEC technology while providing essential experimental learning to optimize our industrial solutions. Our choice of SOEC, a breakthrough technology, enables the production of low-carbon hydrogen, which serves as a catalyst for sustainable industrial applications. Together, we are shaping innovative solutions for a cleaner, more environmentally conscious future.”

Bruno Ribo, COO Electric Steel ArcelorMittal Flat Europe added:

“This innovative project that we are conducting with Genvia opens a new opportunity to overcome technological barriers for large-scale hydrogen use in the steel industry. The Genvia demonstrator will contribute to the decarbonisation of the electrical steel production process. The low-carbon hydrogen produced by this demonstrator in appropriate volumes will enable the reduction of CO2 emissions at the Saint-Chély-d’Apcher site.”

About Genvia:

Genvia is a Clean Hydrogen Technology Venture created to meet the decarbonisation challenge by accelerating affordable clean hydrogen production and applications at scale. Our mission is to develop the world’s most efficient Solid Oxide Electrolyser solutions that are cost effective, reliable, and sustainable.

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is one of the world’s leading integrated steel and mining companies with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. It is the largest steel producer in Europe, among the largest in the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia through its joint venture AM/NS India. ArcelorMittal sells its products to a diverse range of customers including the automotive, engineering, construction and machinery industries, and in 2023 generated revenues of $68.3 billion, produced 58.1 million metric tons of crude steel and, 42.0 million tons of iron ore. Our purpose is to produce smarter steels for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for the renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For further press information please access the full press kit in French here.