Hydrogen Reduction and Arc Melting of Nordic Iron Ores for Sustainable Steelmaking - H2NordSteel

To this end, H2NordSteel will develop low-temperature hydrogen reduction and electric melting of Nordic iron ores to Technology Readiness Level 4-5. To increase process flexibility, two types of innovative hydrogen reduction approaches are studied: conventional and microwave-assisted. The sustainability of electricity-based melting of reduced iron ores will be studied in a laboratory-scale electric arc furnace, where the melting behavior and metal/slag/refractory interactions will shed light on the best practices.

The H2NordSteel project brings together leading Nordic expertise to advance low‑carbon steelmaking. Luleå University of Technology provides knowledge in low‑temperature hydrogen reduction, while the University of Oulu contributes expertise in microwave‑assisted reduction, electric arc furnace melting, and biochar‑based slag foaming. Industrial partners — Future Eco (full partner), and associated partners Harads Arctic Heat, Green Iron, Kaunis Iron AB, LKAB Europe, and Otanmäki Mine Oy — supply practical experience, raw materials, and insights from real production environments. SMEs including Luxmet Ltd. and MicroComp Nordic AB support advanced monitoring and microwave testing. This close Finnish‑Swedish collaboration is essential for understanding how Nordic iron ores behave in hydrogen‑based processes and for developing cleaner, locally rooted steel production. The key results of the project, knowledge on low-temperature hydrogen-based reduction, conventional and microwave-assisted heating, biochar utilization, and electricity-based melting of Nordic iron ores, will be disseminated to companies in the iron and steel industries, biochar producers and microwave technology developers.