Epiroc to use SSAB CO2 free steel; First Hydrogen’s projects in UK

Epiroc is starting a partnership with steelmaker SSAB to secure fossil-free steel for use in the production of Epiroc’s mining equipment.

SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market on a commercial scale in 2026 and deliver the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021. SSAB as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steel production, replacing coking coal with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen to eliminate CO2 emissions in steel production.

Epiroc will initially use fossil-free steel for material for a prototype underground machine produced at its facility in Örebro, Sweden, and the plan is to increase the usage of fossil-free steel over time.

In 2021, Epiroc received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its targets to reduce emissions in its operations and when customers use the sold products.

First Hydrogen identifies four hydrogen projects in the UK

First Hydrogen Corp has identified four industrial sites in the UK and is advancing discussions with landowners to secure land rights and working with engineering consultants Ove Arup & Partners Limited (ARUP) for the engineering studies and designs.

The sites are all in prime industrial areas spread strategically across the North and South of the UK and will each accommodate both a large refuelling station – for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles with on-site hydrogen production to serve the urban areas of Greater Liverpool, Greater Manchester, the London area, and the Thames Estuary – and a larger hydrogen production site of between 20 and 40 MW, for a total for the four sites of between 80 MW and 160 MW.

The production facilities, once built, will serve customers of its Automotive Division. First Hydrogen’s green hydrogen van is to begin demonstrator testing in June, with final delivery for road use in September 2022.