At the end of 2023, the steelanol plant in Ghent, Belgium, achieved industrial-scale ethanol production. This marks an important step towards full operation at the steelanol plant. The project is being implemented jointly by ArcelorMittal, Lanzatech, ERM and Primetals Technologies.
Capture carbon-rich gases
Steelanol is Europe's first carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) project. The plant captures carbon-rich industrial gases emitted from the blast furnace at the ArcelorMittal Ghent plant and processes them into ethanol through bioconversion. Developed by Lanzatech, the technology works similarly to beer brewing: carbon-rich gas is consumed using specialized microorganisms (so-called "biocatalysts") and converted into sustainable feedstocks – such as ethanol.
The steelanol plant has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 125,000 tonnes per year at the Ghent plant. The ethanol produced can be used to make sustainable aviation fuel, packaging, textiles, as well as perfumes and household cleaning products, among others.
Helping steel companies enter new markets
Over the course of several weeks, gas from the blast furnace was safely introduced into the steelanol plant's bioreactors, followed by the first industrial production of ethanol in one of the four bioreactors. Further production is expected in the coming months. The plant has an annual capacity of 80 million liters of ethanol.
Bioreactors for ethanol production are a key component of the steelanol plant
The plant was completed in December 2022, after which it underwent cold commissioning and inoculation. Biocatalysts are introduced during the inoculation process to begin cultivating microorganisms. In June 2023, the inoculator produced the first samples containing ethanol.
Lanzatech's breakthrough carbon bio** technology enables steel companies to avoid carbon emissions and use carbon from the steelmaking process to create new products, allowing them to enter new markets beyond steel. Primetals Technologies and Lanzatech have been working together for more than a decade on carbon reduction technologies for the steel industry. This summer, the two companies extended the partnership for another decade.
About steelanol partners:
LANZATECH, headquartered in Chicago, USA, has developed and owns the technology used at the SteelANOL plant. ERM conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on GHent plant data to provide insight into the environmental performance of this ethanol. ArcelorMittal is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the steelanol plant in Ghent.
As a market leader in environmental technology innovation in the metals industry, Primetals Technologies offers both high-level engineering and guidance for process design and implementation.
The steelanol project has received financial support from various sources, including the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme, the European Investment Bank, and Belgium and Flemish**.