20. December 2023 | The Steelanol CCU plant in Ghent, Belgium, achieved a milestone with its first industrial-scale ethanol production. This is considered to be a significant step toward the full operation of the Steelanol plant, a collaborative project involving ArcelorMittal, LanzaTech, ERM (formerly E4tech), and Primetals Technologies.
Steelanol, Europe’s first carbon capture and utilization (CCU) initiative, captures carbon-rich industrial gases from ArcelorMittal Ghent’s blast furnaces. Through LanzaTech’s carbon biorecycling process, these gases are biologically transformed into ethanol. The plant has the potential to annually reduce carbon emissions by 125,000 tons and produces ethanol suitable for applications in sustainable aviation fuel, packaging, textiles, perfumes, and household cleaning products.
LanzaTech’s carbon biorecycling technology enables emissions prevention. But above all it enables steel producers to reuse the carbon from the steelmaking process to make new products, which in turn allows for the entrance into markets beyond steel.
The collaboration between Primetals Technologies and LanzaTech, spanning over a decade, focuses on decarbonizing the steel industry, with the partnership recently extended for another ten years.
About the Steelanol partners
Headquartered in Chicago, U.S.A., LanzaTech has developed and owns the rights to the technology used at the Steelanol plant. ERM provides the full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, based on data from the plant in Ghent, which will provide insights into the environmental performance of this type of ethanol. The Steelanol plant in Ghent will be operated and maintained by ArcelorMittal.
Primetals Technologies, a London-based pioneer in engineering and lifecycle services for the metals industry, offers expertise in environmental innovations and process design.
Funding for Steelanol comes from various sources, including the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, the European Investment Bank, and support from the Belgian and Flemish governments.
About Primetals
Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain from the raw materials to the finished product. Primetals Technologies is a Group Company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. More about Primetals Technologies at the company website.
