
WHAT IS IT
H-Acero
The strategic objective of the [H-ACERO] is to contribute to the decarbonization of the steel sector, using hydrogen as an alternative energy source at various points in the steel production process. To achieve this, this committee proposes to develop advanced technologies and new materials, compatible with the production processes of the steel industry, with the aim of achieving a sustainable steel production based on hydrogen (H2).
To this end, four areas of action are proposed in this project, one focused on the development of advanced equipment, another focused on consumables such as refractory, one related to the fuel source itself (H2) and, finally, an area related to the production process, in order to acquire the necessary technological knowledge to be able to apply hydrogen (H2) in the iron and steel industry.
This project is financed by the Basque Government, within the framework of the HAZITEK aid program for the support of Industrial Research Projects and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The overall budget of the H-ACERO project amounts to 8,856,545.54 € with a duration of 3 years.
Why Hydrogen?
The steel industry has always been considered a traditional sector and closely linked to a high energy consumption with the corresponding high generation of CO2. Thus, it is estimated that 9% of the total CO2 emissions to the atmosphere come from the iron and steel sectors. In this context, decarbonization in the steel sector represents a major challenge, based on the need to invest in innovative technologies, which in turn implies carrying out a technological transformation that will enable us to achieve zero emissions by 2050.
On the other hand, the development of green hydrogen, a fuel produced from clean energy sources, is already a reality. This technology is considered key to achieving a sustainable decarbonization, so at European level it has already become a strategic investment.
Against this backdrop, the entire value chain of the steel industry must be able to respond to these environmental needs. Steel equipment suppliers have to be able to transform their products to adapt them to fuels from clean sources such as hydrogen application, the different consumables of the steel plants have to be adapted to the new conditions resulting from the use of this new fuel, a safe infrastructure has to be developed to allow the supply of hydrogen as a clean fuel, and the resulting process has to be highly efficient without affecting the quality of the steels produced.
WHO WE ARE

Title
Sarralle Environment&Energy, is Sarralle’s line of business that offers technological solutions for industrial sectors related to the Circular Economy and Energy. We contribute to the H-Acero project with our extensive engineering knowledge in the steel sector and leading this project enables us to acquire knowledge for the integration of hydrogen in all combustion equipment of steel companies.

Title

Title

Title

Title

Title

Title
INSERTEC, will work on the H-ACERO project with the challenge of developing a new generation of refractories to meet the new conditions generated by the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel: Selection of raw materials, development of new formulations, optimization of manufacturing processes and installation of coatings.

Title

Title

Title

Title
Within the Celsa steel group, Nervacero is a production plant dedicated to the production of corrugated steel for construction. H-ACERO is a way for the steel industry to use hydrogen in all its processes.

Title
In Sidenor we are leaders in the production of special long steels, as well as an important supplier of calibration products on the European market. In the H-ACERO project, as an industrial partner, we seek to provide answers to the current unknowns about the medium-term industrial viability of combustion with renewable hydrogen. This is in line with the company’s strategy of decarbonization and manufacture of sustainable steels.
SCOPE
H-Acero
TEAMS
CONSUMABLES
SAFETY
Development of technologies and conditioning of the installation and industrial application associated with the use of H2 as an alternative source.
PROCESS
Development of proper technological knowledge for the application of H2.
As a final phase, the objective is to build prototype demonstrators on a reduced scale (1/5 to 1/10) to validate the different designs developed throughout the project.
RESULTS

The participation of 4 agents of the RVCTI, CEIT, SIDENOR INVESTIGACIÓN Y DESARROLLO, TECNALIA and TUBACEX INNOVACIÓN, promotes the use of the scientific-technological capacities of the Basque Country.
The project will favor the knowledge that the companies participating in the consortium will acquire on the use of hydrogen in the iron and steel process, and will strengthen the tractor effect on the Basque economy..
For all of the above, the H-ACERO project has a balanced consortium that, as a global result, will have the knowledge of the application of hydrogen on technologies and processes in the iron and steel field, results that in the future will be reflected in new products and processes.
CONTACT

