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ArcelorMittal’s XCarb Innovation Fund Invests in Electrified Thermal Solutions
09/04/2025 - ArcelorMittal has invested in Electrified Thermal Solutions through its XCarb® Innovation Fund to support the decarbonization of steelmaking.
“Electrifying high-temperature heating processes, and thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuel use, in steelmaking is a widely recognized challenge. Having scoured the market for companies looking to address this, Electrified Thermal’s patented technology stood out,” said Irina Gorbounova, head of the XCarb Innovation Fund.
ArcelorMittal said Electrified Thermal’s patented firebricks, which electrify industrial heat generation, are at the heart of its Joule Hive™ Thermal Battery (JHTB) system. The JHTB is a stack of electrically and thermally conductive firebricks in an insulated steel container. To charge, it runs renewable electricity directly through the bricks, storing low-cost, carbon-free thermal energy up to 1,700°C. It is then discharged by running air or gas through the brick channels to provide heat to industrial applications.
“This collaboration has the potential to accelerate decarbonization of the steelmaking process through electrification of existing infrastructure with minimal disruption and cost impact,” said Joey Kabel, co-founder and chief technology officer of Electrified Thermal Solutions.
Construction is underway on a 1 MW and 5 MWh commercial demonstration plant at the Southwest Research Institute in Texas. Commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2025.
The companies said they also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore technology validation tests at ArcelorMittal’s GasLab facility in Asturias and pilot deployment pathways within ArcelorMittal’s operations.
ArcelorMittal said Electrified Thermal’s patented firebricks, which electrify industrial heat generation, are at the heart of its Joule Hive™ Thermal Battery (JHTB) system. The JHTB is a stack of electrically and thermally conductive firebricks in an insulated steel container. To charge, it runs renewable electricity directly through the bricks, storing low-cost, carbon-free thermal energy up to 1,700°C. It is then discharged by running air or gas through the brick channels to provide heat to industrial applications.
“This collaboration has the potential to accelerate decarbonization of the steelmaking process through electrification of existing infrastructure with minimal disruption and cost impact,” said Joey Kabel, co-founder and chief technology officer of Electrified Thermal Solutions.
Construction is underway on a 1 MW and 5 MWh commercial demonstration plant at the Southwest Research Institute in Texas. Commissioning is scheduled for the second half of 2025.
The companies said they also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore technology validation tests at ArcelorMittal’s GasLab facility in Asturias and pilot deployment pathways within ArcelorMittal’s operations.
