Hyundai Motor, POSCO to jointly develop hydrogen tech for steelmaking

Hyundai Motor Co. and POSCO will jointly develop technology that uses hydrogen instead of coking coal in producing steel as part of their Feb. 16 agreement to nurture the hydrogen economy as a growth driver.

The new technology will allow POSCO, South Korea’s largest steelmaker, to use hydrogen gas as a fuel and reducing agent in its blast furnaces.

The process doesn’t emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

Around 0.75 of a ton of coking coal, which emits about two tons of carbon dioxide as a byproduct, is currently required to make one ton of steel. Consequently, the steel industry is one of the main culprits of air pollution.

Upon the technology's development, the companies will gradually convert all of their steel plants into hydrogen-powered facilities.

The two companies also plan to build a new steel mill that utilizes hydrogen technology and establish hydrogen-fueling stations within POSCO’s plants.

The companies agreed to cooperate in hydrogen-related products, the development of new steelmaking technology, and explore overseas opportunities. These are in line with a government initiative to shift to a hydrogen economy.

The agreement was entered into through Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and POSCO CEO Choi Jeong-woo,

As part of their alliance, POSCO will gradually replace its commercial vehicles with 1,500 Hyundai hydrogen trucks.