Thyssenkrupp to reach carbon neutrality by 2045

German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp aims to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2045, Fastmarkets heard during a visit to its steel mill in Duisburg during the International Iron Ore conference on Thursday June 9

The company will stop all four of its blast furnaces (BF) and install a direct-reduction plant at the Duisburg production site.

“We will install the first [direct-reduced iron] module with 1.2 million-tonne-per-year capacity by 2025,” a source from the company told Fastmarkets.

“After the module is started, we will stop one of our four BFs. The second will be stopped by 2030 [when the second DRI module is installed],” the source said.

The closure of the first two BFs will help reduce CO2 emissions at the site by 30% until 2030. The remaining two furnaces will be in operation until 2045, when the third and fourth DRI modules are installed.

“We are considering the possibility of starting our own hydrogen making and building an electrolysis plant; it will partially cover our needs. We are also planning to purchase it in Germany and overseas,” the source said.

The installation of hydrogen-based DRI modules is part of Thyssenkrupp’s H2Stahl project.

The project also includes using hydrogen in existing blast furnaces and supplying industrial hydrogen for steelmaking via a new pipeline.

Currently, the project is able to make around 11 million tpy of flat steel products. The company is planning to maintain its capacity at the same level after all BFs are stopped by 2045.

What to read next
The publication of Fastmarkets’ iron ore indices for Friday June 20 was delayed due to a technical issue. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following indices were affected:MB-IRO-0191 61% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, $/tonneMB-IRO-0008 62% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, $/tonneMB-IRO-0144 62% Fe low-alumina fines, cfr Qingdao, $/tonneMB-IRO-0015 Iron ore 58% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao, […]
The global steel industry’s move to decarbonize and China’s penchant for lower-grade ores in recent years have uncovered challenges for high-grade iron ore to live out its value in both the blast furnace-based steelmaking route and the direct-reduction iron process, delegates told Fastmarkets during the Singapore International Ferrous Week (SIFW), which takes place from May 26-30.
The global iron ore market, a pivotal component of the steelmaking industry, has historically been driven by simple supply and demand dynamics. However, steel trade tariffs, trade wars and a growing trend toward resource nationalism are reshaping this once-basic industrial staple. These forces, alongside rising environmental regulations and shifting trade patterns, are profoundly influencing iron ore pricing, production and consumption trends. 
The playing field for global iron ore brands could be poised to be leveled, given a recent announcement on lower iron content in a key mainstream Australian direct shipping ore, iron ore market participants told Fastmarkets, adding that the development could narrow the price disparities between major Australian mid-grade iron ore brands.
This strategic launch is intended to offer the market a single reference price denoting the differential between US Midwest rebar and heavy melting-grade scrap, a key component in the production of that grade. Details of the previous launches can be found via this link. The methodology specification for this differential is: MB-STE-0930 Steel reinforcing bar […]
At Fastmarkets’ International Iron Ore & Green Steel Summit 2025, we expect topics such as iron ore pricing trends, green steel developments and growing demand for high-grade pellets to emerge. The event will address decarbonization, Europe’s green steel growth and shifts in scrap and pellet markets driven by supply and cost changes.