De Nora Secures Deal to Provide Electrolyzer Technology for HyTecHeat steel project

Industrie De Nora S.p.A, headquartered in Milan, Italy, has proudly announced its participation as one of the key partners in the ambitious European initiative known as HyTecHeat. Collaborating with industry giants such as Snam and Tenova, De Nora is set to play a crucial role in revolutionizing steel production by leveraging hybrid technologies to achieve significantly lower CO2 emissions. This groundbreaking project marks a pivotal step towards addressing environmental concerns in an industry traditionally deemed challenging to decarbonize.

HyTecHeat, an acronym for Hybrid Technologies for sustainable steel reheating, has garnered support from the "Horizon Europe" program, backed by a substantial funding injection of approximately 3.3 million euros from the EU. The core objective of this project is to integrate De Nora's innovative 1-MW capacity Dragonfly on-site electrolytic hydrogen generation system into steel production processes. These processes, characterized by their energy-intensive nature, have a profound impact on the environment. The introduction of the Dragonfly system aims to curtail emissions and usher in a more sustainable approach to steel manufacturing.

This partnership represents a pioneering effort to reduce the environmental footprint of heat treatment and heating stages in steel production, traditionally reliant on natural gas. By augmenting the percentage of low-carbon hydrogen utilized in these critical phases, HyTecHeat aspires to foster a virtuous hybridization of resources, aligning with broader sustainability goals.

The Dragonfly electrolyzer, developed by De Nora, stands at the forefront of innovation in this venture. Building on the company's extensive expertise in electrode design and production, this state-of-the-art electrolyzer marks a significant milestone in the realm of hydrogen generation. Leveraging DSA electrodes, a proprietary development by De Nora, the Dragonfly promises unparalleled efficiency, making it a versatile solution for various industries requiring on-site hydrogen generation.

Industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, biogas, oleochemical, and refineries stand to benefit from the Dragonfly electrolyzer, given its compact design tailored for installation at the end customer's facility. With more than a year of successful testing at an industrial site and obtaining all necessary certifications, the Dragonfly is poised to make its debut on the European stage, marking its maiden application in a project of continental significance.

In this specific implementation, Tenova, a globally renowned provider of technologies for the metallurgical and mining sectors, assumes the role of hosting the demonstration. Tenova's expertise in these industries positions it as an ideal partner for showcasing the efficacy of the Dragonfly electrolyzer in a real-world setting. Snam, a key participant in the project, will oversee the hydrogen storage system, adding another layer of competence to the collaborative efforts.

The collaboration between De Nora, Tenova, and Snam underscores the importance of cross-industry partnerships in driving sustainable innovations. By combining expertise from the electrochemical, metallurgical, and energy sectors, these companies aim to set new benchmarks in reducing carbon emissions in steel production.

As the first application of the Dragonfly electrolyzer, this project serves as a testament to De Nora's commitment to advancing clean technologies. The successful integration of the Dragonfly into the HyTecHeat project is expected to pave the way for wider adoption across industries, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.