Gasgrid Finland Oy, Kemira Oyj and Ovako Imatra Oy Ab have entered into a cooperation agreement to assess the feasibility of a demonstration project for the pipeline transmission of hydrogen and launched the feasibility study phase of the project. The parties are also currently negotiating on the further development of the project.
Gasgrid’s demonstration project on hydrogen transmission infrastructure aims to design, construct and commission a hydrogen transmission system between Kemira’s Joutseno plant and Ovako’s Imatra mill. The project will enable the transmission, storage and use of hydrogen for customers. This is Finland’s first hydrogen transmission infrastructure demonstration project extending beyond an industrial site that, thanks to its location, may become part of a hydrogen network evolving into local, regional, national and even Europe-wide coverage.
“The aim for the project is to create a scalable and replicable hydrogen pipeline infrastructure project concept by designing, testing, and commissioning technical and commercial solutions. In addition to its positive employment and environmental impacts, the project creates conditions for developing the hydrogen economy and thereby achieving broader economic impacts,” says Sara Kärki, Head of Strategic Analysis and RDI, Gasgrid Finland
The demonstration project enables the implementation of Finland’s first full hydrogen value chain from electricity through chemical industry by-product hydrogen to green steel industry end products and, consequently, promotes the development of Finland’s energy and raw materials system and strong sectoral integration.
Kemira regards the hydrogen pipeline transmission project as an important enabler of regional hydrogen cluster development. “At Kemira’s Joutseno plant, hydrogen is generated as a by-product of chlorate production. Well-functioning transmission infrastructure will enable efficient deliveries of hydrogen and create synergies and growth capacities for further processing of hydrogen,” says Janne Tynninen, Site Manager, Kemira Joutseno plant.
“Ovako’s Imatra facility aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral steel mill. The Ovako Group’s goal is to gradually reduce the amount of emissions currently counterbalanced through carbon offsets so that emissions from production will be cut from the 2015 level by 80% by 2030 and by 90% by 2040. One step towards the carbon neutrality target of the Imatra mill is a switch from natural gas to hydrogen in billet heating furnaces. In addition to access to hydrogen, this requires an upgrade of furnace burner technology,” says Klaus Enwald, President and CEO, Ovako Imatra Oy Ab.
For more information please contact:
Gasgrid Finland Oy
Sara Kärki, Head of Strategic Analysis and RDI, sara.karki@gasgrid.fi, phone +358 40 158 1722
Kemira Oyj
Janne Tynninen, Site Manager, Joutseno. janne.tynninen@kemira.com, phone +358 40 7033823
Ovako Imatra Oy Ab
Klaus Enwald, President and CEO, klaus.enwald@ovako.com, phone +358 40 520 9482
Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water intensive industries. We provide best suited products and expertise to improve our customers’ product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, water treatment and energy industry. In 2021, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.7 billion and around 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.kemira.com
Ovako develops high-tech steel solutions for, and in cooperation with, its customers in the bearing, transport and manufacturing industries. Our steel makes our customers’ end products more resilient and extends their useful life, ultimately resulting in smarter, more energy-efficient and more environmentally-friendly products.
Our production is based on recycled scrap and includes steel in the form of bar, tube, rings and pre-components. Ovako has around 2,800 employees in more than 30 countries and sales of approximately EUR 900 million. Ovako is a subsidiary of Sanyo Special Steel and a member of Nippon Steel Corporation group, one of the largest steel producers in the world with more than 100,000 employees globally and a revenue of approximately EUR 50 billion. For more information, please visit us at www.ovako.com, www.sanyo-steel.co.jp and www.nipponsteel.com.
