BioFe
Biomass utilization in iron production under economic and CO₂-reducing boundary conditions (BioFe)
This project is co-financed by the European Union and the Free State of Saxony.
The iron and steel industry is facing a comprehensive transformation: away from coal-based processes and towards climate-friendly direct reduction with green hydrogen. However, the transition from the blast furnace process to H2-based direct reduction is hampered by the scarcity of green hydrogen, a lack of infrastructure and technological challenges (e.g. high energy requirements, lack of carbon in the sponge iron).
Biomass offers a promising solution:
- as a heat source
- as a reducing gas
- in solid form in pellet production
A combined use of these paths is also conceivable. The aim of the project is to research the role of sustainable biomass in the future process of steel production.
- Quantification of sustainably available biomass resources for the steel industry
- Evaluation of the technical feasibility of different utilization paths (thermal, gaseous, solid)
- Optimal integration of biogenic materials in direct reduction for the production of sponge iron
- Analysis of the economic and ecological effects
- Contribution to the defossilization of industrial processes and the achievement of climate targets
