BHP and Posco to trial hydrogen in steelmaking

The two firms will trial direct reduction technology as part of wider suite of decarbonisation measures

Mining and metals firm BHP and South Korean steelmaker Posco are to undertake trials to use hydrogen-based direct reduction technology to reduce the carbon intensity of the steelmaking process. The firms will also investigate optimising coke quality and assessing carbon capture storage and utilisation options, as well as the use of biomass and offsets. Hydrogen direct reduction converts pre-heated iron ore into direct reduced iron (DRI) by using hydrogen as a reducing agent and energy source. DRI can be fed into an electric arc furnace to produce steel. Studies by Lund university in Sweden have shown that the steel produced can be competitive with that manufactured using conventional methods