Air Liquide, Metalloinvest & Rosatom join forces for the production of hydrogen

Metalloinvest (a major Russian producer of HBI and steel), JSC Rusatom Overseas (a part of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom) and Air Liquide (a leading producer of industrial gases) have agreed to study the scope for producing low-carbon hydrogen.

The partners will evaluate various aspects of the project, including technical and commercial, for hydrogen production at Metalloinvest plants in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Russia during St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Yellow hydrogen can be produced through the electrolysis of water by using low-carbon electricity, or blue hydrogen can be produced through steam reforming of methane in combination with carbon capture technologies.

Metalloinvest has approved its Climate Strategy this year in which hydrogen would play a key role in the production processes to achieve carbon neutrality. The company’s Mikhailovsky HBI plant is being designed on the principles of carbon-free metallurgy, which would eventually run on hydrogen solely. Metalloinvest plans to completely switch to the use of hydrogen in metallization plants. It aims to cut emission by 6% by 2025 and cut 77% in the next 15 years.

Nazim Efendiyev, CEO of Metalloinvest, said that the agreement is an important stage in the implementation of Metalloinvest’s strategy aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its products.”

Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rusatom Overseas, said, “The estimated volume of total hydrogen consumption by Metalloinvest enterprises may reach 150,000 tons per year.”

Marilene Turcotte, General Director of Air Liquide in Russia, said, “Decarbonizing the Industry is at the heart of Air Liquide’s strategy and we are committed to accompanying our customers with innovative technologies, operational expertise and the drive to move industry forward toward a low-carbon future.”