AIST Decarbonization Subcommittee Webinar: Hydrogen DRI in Steelmaking

2 April 2026 • Zoom • 9–10 a.m. EDT

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About the Program

The six-year HYBRIT pilot program, completed in summer 2024, demonstrated that hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (HDRI) is not only technically feasible but also superior in quality. The resulting HDRI is highly metallized, chemically stable, mechanically strong (stronger than commercial hot briquetted iron) and suitable for seaborne transport. These properties lower production costs, improve efficiency in electric arc furnaces by reducing melting energy and increase overall value in use. Building on these results, SSAB is transitioning its Nordic steel production toward full decarbonization by replacing traditional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace processes with electric arc furnace (EAF) mills using recycled scrap and HDRI.  Despite lacking carbon, HYBRIT’s H₂ based DRI’s exceptionally high metallization enables efficient melting in the EAF. Through clear modeling results, this presentation will demonstrate how highly metallized, zero-carbon DRI unlocks the next step in steel decarbonization.

Registration Fees

US$0 for AIST members, U$50 for non-members. 

Available Sponsorships

Event Sponsor – 1 available US$3,500

  • Name recognition for specific webinar on upcoming webinar calendar.
  • Sponsor logo and hyperlink included in electronic promotions.
  • Sponsor logo and hyperlink on specific webinar page.
  • Sponsor logo on webinar registration page.
  • Sponsor can provide a message (2–3 sentences) for host to read during opening webinar remarks.
  • Verbal recognition by host at end of webinar.
  • Recognition in thank-you message to all participants when the webinar ends.
  • Sponsor will receive a list of all webinar participants (name, company, country).
  • Three AIST memberships for non-members only.

Moderators

David Marshall, Founder, Performance Improvement Inc.
David Marshall holds an electrical engineering degree from Teesside University and an M.B.A. from Ivey Business School. After leading Danieli Corus North America as chief operating officer, he founded Performance Improvement Inc., specializing in reliability and process solutions for blast furnaces, energy recovery and power generation. An AIST Life Member, Marshall was the founding chair of the Decarbonization Subcommittee and continues to advance sustainability initiatives as chair emeritus. Today, he focuses on process reliability and consulting to support a lower-carbon future for the metals industry.  

Megan Landsborough, Process Engineer, Hatch
Megan Landsborough is a process engineer at Hatch specializing in hydrogen systems and industrial decarbonization. She supports large-scale hydrogen projects that enable sustainable energy and emissions reduction.

Presentation 1
SSAB’s Transformation to Fossil Free Steel With the HYBRIT Technology, Martin Pei, Senior Advisor, SSAB

Presenter Bio:
Martin Pei is senior advisor at SSAB and former chief technology officer, where he led innovation in fossil-free steelmaking. He initiated HYBRIT, a groundbreaking hydrogen-based steel project, and serves as its board chair. A metallurgy expert with degrees from Northeastern University and the Royal Institute of Technology, Martin is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and a global leader in decarbonizing steel production.

Presentation 2
Hydrogen-Based DRI Use in the EAF, Mike Grant, Consultant

Presenter Bio: 
Michael Grant is an independent consultant with nearly 40 years of experience in steelmaking, specializing in electric arc furnace (EAF) and ironmaking technologies. He has designed and optimized over 30 EAFs worldwide and contributed to major decarbonization initiatives, including the European Commission’s ULCOS project and the development of Top Gas Recycling Blast Furnace technology. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Grant advises steelmakers globally on process optimization and industrial gas integration. He has authored over 60 technical papers, holds 10 patents and received the 2025 AIST John Bell Award for his impact on EAF technology.