Consortium launches €2.2bn GravitHy green iron company

GravitHy is targeting annual throughput of 2mn tons of Direct Reduced Iron and aims to create over 3,000 direct jobs

A consortium comprising EIT InnoEnergyEngie New Ventures, FORVIAGROUPE IDEC, Plug, and Primetals Technologies is launching the GravitHy sustainable iron company which will be backed by an initial €2.2bn investment.

The green iron company will support growing demand for zero carbon steel, while contributing to Europe’s Fit for 55 package ambitions to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries.

The first GravitHy plant will be built in the area of Fos sur Mer, Southern France, with construction starting in 2024 and aiming to be fully operational by 2027, subject to the required regulatory approvals.

It has an ambition to produce an annual throughput of 2mn tons of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and create over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs for the region.

The steel sector is responsible for 8% of the global energy demand and 7% of the energy sector CO2 emissions (including process emissions) annually – making it one of the biggest carbon emitting industries.

GravitHy supports the emissions reduction by generating and using green and low-carbon hydrogen to produce DRI. The DRI will be used either on-site as a feedstock for green steel or traded globally under the form of Hot-Briquetted Iron (HBI).

This directly contributes to the decarbonisation of the hard-to-abate value chain of steelmaking and supports the EU’s ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Karine Vernier, Consortium Leader of GravitHy, said there is considerable appetite to transform energy-intensive industries in France, with the steel sector high on the agenda.

"GravitHy will be a vital component in the French government’s proposed steel roadmap and its ambitions to cut CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030," she said.

"It’s time to make a step-change in technology, to replace old blast furnaces with DRIs produced from green and low-carbon hydrogen and combined with electric arc furnaces. Together, with our partners, we are committed to tackling this challenge by being an enabler of industrial value chains and clean tech innovation. With GravitHy’s first plant, we will be positioned in a location with easy access to European trade markets, so we can increase the security of steel supply on the continent.”

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Energy Transition, said it must make France the first major nation to transition completely from fossil fuels.

"For this, we need our industry to develop the innovative decarbonisation solutions required for today and tomorrow," she said.

"GravitHy is an emblematic initiative that responds to these challenges which will contribute to and support the vital decarbonisation of the steel sector. This large-scale industrial project will also contribute to structuring our national decarbonised hydrogren production sector.”

GravitHy’s roster of founders has been brought together on the basis of cross-sector collaboration and competence sharing.

EIT InnoEnergy, the world's largest investor in sustainable energy innovations, will provide its business acceleration services through its European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Center (EGHAC), supported by Breakthrough Energy.

EGHAC was set up to serve as a key enabler of industrial value chains and clean tech innovation, with the aim of developing an annual €100bn green hydrogen economy by 2025.

What each partner brings to GravitHy

  • Engie offers deep knowledge of hydrogen, renewables and electricity markets
  • Plug offers experience on integrated hydrogen projects and is a leading manufacturer of electrolysers
  • GROUPE IDEC is a major player in all segments of the real estate market (development, investment, design-build, energy) and will provide services for the industrial site.
  • Primetals Technologies provides leading technology and expertise to enable green and low carbon steel production
  • FORVIA represents the transport and mobility side of the value chain

Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, added that given the geopolitical, energy and industrial situation we are experiencing, Europe has a strategic interest in developing a thriving hydrogen economy.

"The European Commission is working to establish a regulatory and financial framework conducive to the emergence of European value chains that will ensure European industrial leadership in this field," he said.

"The GravitHy project is an important milestone and will contribute to our European goal of producing 10 million tonnes of clean hydrogen by 2030.”

Share

Featured Articles

Laws Thwart US Bid to Match China on Lithium Mining

US bid to increase domestic production of lithium in order to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies of critical mineral frustrated by 'confusing' state laws

Bain: 'Inflation Dampening Mining Leaders' Net Zero Hopes'

Bain & Company’s annual Energy & Natural Resource Executive Survey shows 62% of energy execs say high costs mean net zero goals won't be met by 2060

Focus on: Lithium – ‘White Gold’ Driving the EV Revolution

Because of the move to electric vehicles, the metal lithium is rapidly becoming a vitally important part of world’s bid to move away from fossil fuels

Aluminium Industry Calls for new North America Body

Supply Chain & Operations

Data-Driven ABB Smart Hoisting Solution 'is Safety Boon'

Digital Mining

Deep Sea EV Metals Mining Firm in Greenpeace Clash

Sustainability