ArcelorMittal Brazil and Utility Global Target Hydrogen Production from Steel Off-Gas

ArcelorMittal Brazil is taking some solid first steps in its push to clean up steel production, launching two pilot studies focused on hydrogen production. At their Juiz de Fora plant in Minas Gerais, they’ve teamed up with Utility Global to take a closer look at whether it’s possible to turn off-gas — that’s a byproduct from steelmaking — into hydrogen using Utility’s H2Gen system.

Turning Steel Off-Gas Into Hydrogen

What makes the H2Gen system pretty interesting is that it doesn’t rely on external power sources like electricity or natural gas, which could be a big win in cutting both costs and emissions. The tech isn’t still just a concept, either — it’s been through over 3,000 hours of testing so far. The idea here is to figure out whether this approach could work at scale, helping make hydrogen a key piece of industrial decarbonization.

New Push for Green Hydrogen in Espírito Santo

Meanwhile, over at the company’s Tubarão plant in Espírito Santo, ArcelorMittal has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with energy company EDP to explore the possibility of producing green hydrogen. This would be done through electrolysis powered by renewable energy — tapping into Brazil’s strong natural potential for sustainable power.

Testing the Waters Before Going All In

It’s important to note that both of these projects are still in their early days. They’re not jumping into full-scale rollout just yet. Instead, ArcelorMittal is playing it smart — testing and analyzing before making any big commitments. It’s all part of the company’s wider plan to look for low-carbon solutions that actually make sense on the balance sheet.

Brazil: An Ideal Spot for Zero-Emission Innovation

With its vast renewable energy potential and recent shifts in industrial policy, Brazil is shaping up to be a great testing ground for next-gen, zero-emission technology. If these projects prove feasible, they could lay the groundwork for a more robust hydrogen infrastructure and set the stage for broader adoption of green hydrogen in heavy industries.