Cogne has initiated an important milestone on the path to more sustainable steel production: A pilot plant for the “Green Hydrogen in COGNE” project is now being planned at the company’s headquarters in Aosta, northern Italy. For the first time, green hydrogen will replace fossil natural gas in an industrial heat treatment process. With this, the company is sending a strong signal for the climate-neutral transformation of energy-intensive industrial processes.
Green hydrogen is considered a key technology for the climate-friendly transformation of the steel industry. Instead of carbon dioxide, only water is produced when it is used. The savings potential is correspondingly enormous: Through the use of green hydrogen, which is generated via electrolysis from renewable energy sources, up to 26 tons of CO₂ emissions can be avoided per ton of hydrogen used. Especially in industrial heat treatment, the technology offers a real alternative to fossil fuels such as natural gas. Numerous studies and pilot projects confirm the potential – Cogne is now moving into application.
Power from the Region
For the energy supply of the electrolyzer that produces the hydrogen, the manufacturer of stainless steel and nickel-based materials intends to rely on renewable sources in the long term. A new hydroelectric power plant on the Dora Baltea River delivers an average rated power of 315 kilowatts with three StreamDiver turbines from Voith Hydro. Additionally, a photovoltaic system on the plant’s roofs supplies the system with electricity. The “Green Hydrogen in COGNE” project is part of Italy’s recovery plan PNRR (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, part of the EU NextGenerationEU program, English: National Recovery and Resilience Plan) and is being implemented with the support of public funds. The total investment volume amounts to around 8 million euros.
“Green hydrogen is a central building block of our decarbonization strategy,” says Bernd Grotenburg, Managing Director of Cogne Edelstahl GmbH. “With the construction of the plant and the integration of renewable energies, we are advancing our vision of sustainable steel production by a decisive step.” In addition to the hydrogen transformation, Cogne Acciai Speciali uses further sustainable strategies for electricity procurement at the steel production site. Since 2024, 100% of energy consumption has come from green electricity certified by guarantees of origin.
At the same time, Cogne Acciai Speciali is committed as a materials partner along the hydrogen value chain. With a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance stainless steels, the company offers solutions for valves, sensors, pipelines, and other hydrogen-carrying components. The materials are designed for the highest requirements in terms of corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and hydrogen embrittlement – thus supporting the technological implementation of the energy transition.
Read the free white paper from Cogne Acciai Speciali here.
