ArcelorMittal in Gent, Belgium, is hosting the first industrial trial of D-CRBN's technology to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from steel production.
The trial began on July 1, 2024, and involves Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) carbon capture unit, which supplies high-purity CO2 for D-CRBN's innovative process.
ArcelorMittal and MHI, in collaboration with climate tech firm D-CRBN, are pioneering this world-first initiative in Gent, Belgium. The trial aims to convert captured CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), a valuable resource in steel and chemical production.
This marks the debut of D-CRBN's plasma technology in an industrial setting, positioning ArcelorMittal Gent as the first steel plant globally to implement this emissions reduction process.
Assessing full-scale deployment
The ongoing multi-year carbon capture pilot at Gent is assessing the feasibility of full-scale deployment of MHI's Advanced KM CDR Process™.
D-CRBN's plasma technology uses renewable electricity to break the carbon-oxygen bond in CO2, transforming it into CO, which can then be utilised as a reductant in steelmaking or as a basic ingredient for chemical and alternative fuel production at Gent's Steelanol plant.
The D-CRBN process requires high-purity CO2, provided by MHI's carbon capture unit. This unit captures off-gases from the blast furnace and the hot strip mill reheating furnace. A pipeline connecting MHI's capture unit to D-CRBN's technology was established on July 1, 2024, marking a significant step in testing the new technology's feasibility.
ArcelorMittal's CEO Manfred Van Vlierberghe highlighted the trial's significance, stating, "We are proud to be part of this unique carbon capture and usage trial in Gent, which is part of our strategy to develop the Smart Carbon steelmaking route in ArcelorMittal Belgium."
D-CRBN's CEO Gill Scheltjens expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, "D-CRBN is thrilled to partner with ArcelorMittal and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on this innovative carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) pilot project. Our process offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to electrify and decarbonise existing blast furnaces."
Tatsuto Nagayasu, MHI's senior vice president (CCUS) of GX (Green Transformation) Solutions, emphasized the broader impact, stating, "CCUS will play a critical role in decarbonising existing assets in the steel industry. Our collaboration provides another tool for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint."
This trial aligns with ArcelorMittal's goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 35% in Europe by 2030, exploring Smart Carbon steelmaking and carbon capture and storage or utilisation (CCU) strategies.