H2FUTURE Pilot Plant to Receive EUR16.4 Million Expansion
10/08/2026 - voestalpine and VERBUND announced their H2FUTURE research project will receive a EUR16.4 million expansion to include a compression and purification unity along with five hydrogen storage tanks.
The companies said the H2FUTURE-Follow-Up project will focus on its treatment and provision for industrial applications. Four of the five new hydrogen storage tanks will balance the levels of hydrogen production and consumption to secure supply.
“With greentec steel we have a clear strategy to transform our steel production. In the first half of 2027, one green electricity-powered electric arc furnace at each of the Linz and Donawitz sites will go into operation, enabling us to save up to 30% of our CO2 emissions by 2029 as a first step,” said Herbert Eibensteiner, chief executive officer of voestalpine AG.
At the end of 2027, the fifth new hydrogen storage tank will supply the HY4SMELT industrial-scale demonstration plant at voestalpine’s Linz site through a 1-km-long pipeline, the companies said.
Hydrogen will be available to external customers and other research or industrial projects as it can be compressed and filled into trailers for road transport.
“On an industrial scale, the project shows how renewable electricity can be converted into green hydrogen and harnessed for specific industrial applications,” said Michael Strugl, chief executive officer of VERBUND AG.
While the first H2FUTURE follow-up project’s tests have already begun, results are expected by the end of 2026. It will end in December 2030.
“With greentec steel we have a clear strategy to transform our steel production. In the first half of 2027, one green electricity-powered electric arc furnace at each of the Linz and Donawitz sites will go into operation, enabling us to save up to 30% of our CO2 emissions by 2029 as a first step,” said Herbert Eibensteiner, chief executive officer of voestalpine AG.
At the end of 2027, the fifth new hydrogen storage tank will supply the HY4SMELT industrial-scale demonstration plant at voestalpine’s Linz site through a 1-km-long pipeline, the companies said.
Hydrogen will be available to external customers and other research or industrial projects as it can be compressed and filled into trailers for road transport.
“On an industrial scale, the project shows how renewable electricity can be converted into green hydrogen and harnessed for specific industrial applications,” said Michael Strugl, chief executive officer of VERBUND AG.
While the first H2FUTURE follow-up project’s tests have already begun, results are expected by the end of 2026. It will end in December 2030.
