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25.06.2021 (399 Clicks)

Resources’ Businesses in firing Line of big Insurers and Lenders

A growing number of small to medium-sized businesses that service the resources sector are having significant problems securing finance and insurance because of recent climate change-related policy changes by banks and insurers, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said today.

25.06.2021 (379 Clicks)

Transport Secretary gives the Go-ahead for Start of permanent Works on HS2’s west London ‘super-hub’ Station

In partnership with HS2 Ltd, Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra will commence permanent works on the west London ‘superhub’ station - Old Oak Common. The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP visited the ten-hectare site to meet the team working there and give the thumbs up for work to begin on the biggest newly-built railway station in the UK.

24.06.2021 (415 Clicks)

Hybrit: SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall first in the World with hydrogen-reduced Sponge Iron

SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall have now produced the world’s first hydrogen-reduced sponge iron at a pilot scale. The technological breakthrough in the Hybrit initiative captures around 90% of emissions in conjunction with steelmaking and is a decisive step on the road to fossil-free steel.

The Hybrit pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden has completed test production of sponge iron and demonstrates that it is possible to use fossil-free hydrogen gas to reduce iron ore instead of using coal and coke to remove the oxygen. Production has been continuous and of good quality. Around 100 tonnes have been made so far. This is the first time ever that hydrogen made with fossil-free electricity has been used in the direct reduction of iron ore at a pilot scale. The goal in principle is to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking process by using only fossil-free feedstock and fossil-free energy in all parts of the value chain.

Hydrogen-based reduction is a critical milestone, which paves the way for future fossil-free iron- and steelmaking. SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall intend, through Hybrit, to create the most efficient value chain from the mine to steel, with the aim of being first to market, in 2026, with fossil-free steel at an industrial scale.

Last year, Hybrit, a joint initiative of SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall, began test operations to make hydrogen-reduced sponge iron in the pilot plant built with support from the Swedish Energy Agency. The technology is being constantly developed and the sponge iron that has been successfully made using hydrogen technology is the feedstock for the fossil-free steel of the future.

“This is a major breakthrough both for us and for the entire iron and steel industry. LKAB is the future supplier of sponge iron and this is a critical step in the right direction. Progress with Hybrit enables us to maintain the pace in our transition and already in 2026, we will begin the switch to industrial-scale production with the first demonstration plant in Gällivare, Sweden. Once LKAB has converted its entire production to sponge iron, we will enable the transition of the steel industry and reduce global emissions by around 35 million tonnes a year, which corresponds to two thirds of Sweden’s entire emissions. This is the greatest action we can take together for the good of the climate,” says Jan Moström, President and CEO at LKAB.

“This technological breakthrough is a critical step on the road to fossil-free steel. The potential cannot be underestimated. It means that we can reach climate goals in Sweden and Finland and contribute to reducing emissions across Europe. At the same time, it creates new jobs and export successes. SSAB’s transition means we will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10% in Sweden and 7% in Finland. High-strength fossil-free steel will also allow us to help our customers to strengthen their competitiveness. As early as this year, we will deliver minor quantities of steel made using hydrogen-based reduction to customers, and in 2026 we will deliver fossil-free steel at a large scale,” says Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO at SSAB.

Fossil-free electricity and hydrogen storage

The hydrogen used in the direct reduction process is generated by electrolysis of water with fossil-free electricity, and can be used immediately or stored for later use. In May, Hybrit began work on building a pilot-scale hydrogen storage facility adjacent to the direct reduction pilot plant in Luleå.

“Sweden’s and Vattenfall’s fossil-free electricity is a basic requirement for the low carbon footprint of hydrogen-reduced sponge iron. The breakthrough that we can announce today shows in a very real way how electrification contributes to enabling a fossil-free life within a generation,” says Anna Borg, President and CEO at Vattenfall.

Facts/Hybrit initiative

SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall, the three owners, launched the HYBRIT initiative in 2016. The pilot plant for the test production of sponge iron started operation on August 31, 2020 and on March 24, 2021, Gällivare was chosen for the site of the planned demonstration plant for the production of fossil-free sponge iron at an industrial scale.

Under the Hybrit initiative, SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall intend to create an entirely fossil-free value chain, with fossil-free pellets, fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. With the Hybritinitiative, technological development is taking place that challenges established and commercially available technology. The goal in principle is to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking process by using only fossil-free feedstock and fossil-free energy in all parts of the value chain. Instead, the emission will be water. Hybrit Development AB is a research and technology development company that will provide solutions for plants. Technological development takes place in close cooperation with owner companies.  Investments of around SEK 250 million in a hydrogen gas pilot storage facility include two years of operation and a test program. The initiative has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10% in Sweden and 7% in Finland. The steel industry currently generates 7% of total global carbon dioxide emissions. Fossil-free iron and steel production using Hybrit technology will require around 15 TWh of fossil free electricity a year at SSAB’s current production levels. Once completed, the conversion of LKAB’s operations will require a total of around 55 TWh a year (including most of SSAB’s requirement). This will require faster and more predictable permit processes to expand Sweden’s power network and electricity production.

Source: LKAB

                     

24.06.2021 (370 Clicks)

Normet introducing new EFNARC Operator Training Course

Normet is known as a supplier of wide product and solution range for underground mining and tunnelling industry. Perhaps the most well-known are the Normet concrete sprayers. Normet has been offering technical and operator training since the production of sprayers started in the 1970’s.

24.06.2021 (434 Clicks)

BHP establishes new Cloud Agreements

BHP has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft as long-term cloud providers to help improve safety, productivity, and reliability across its global operated assets.

22.06.2021 (440 Clicks)

All-new AutotriaxQube revolutionizes triaxial Testing

Wykeham Farrance, a division of Controls, is excited to announce the launch of the AutotriaxQube, which is set to revolutionize triaxial testing for laboratories around the world. The all-in-one automatic triaxial testing system has been meticulously designed to make triaxial testing easier than ever before.

22.06.2021 (448 Clicks)

Strabag Upgrading last single-track Section of Railway along the TEN-T Network in Hungary

• 30 km section to be modernised and extended with addition of second track
• 3 stations along the line will also be upgraded
• Contract value: € 364 million (Strabag share: 66 %)

20.06.2021 (393 Clicks)

Ontario Companies power forward on Hydrogen

Partnership to pursue potential pilot projects

18.06.2021 (426 Clicks)

Normet launches new Technologies for Concrete Spraying

Normet brought their sprayed concrete layer thickness control system, the SmartScan, to the market in 2019. The SmartScan is aimed at all underground sprayed concrete applications to deliver accurate and reliable sprayed concrete layer thickness information for the sprayer operator, and fast and easy reporting for management purposes.

17.06.2021 (1401 Clicks)

Webuild and Lane Construction in $16 billion mega High-Speed Rail Contract with Texas Central

Dallas-Houston line a key milestone for sustainable mobility in United States