Norsk Hydro ASA Unveils World's First Green Hydrogen-Based Aluminum Production

Norsk Hydro ASA pioneers in the evolution of the aluminum industry by successfully producing the world's first green hydrogen-based aluminum batch, marking a leap towards carbon-free metal production.

This giant leap forward comes as part of a concerted effort by the Norwegian producer and brings us one step closer to a carbon-free production process for this metal, one of the world's most energy-intensive industrial commodities.

Spearheaded by Hydro Havrand, the firm's renewable hydrogen company, in partnership with the hydrogen burner technology experts, Fives North America Combustion engineering firm, this landmark achievement marks a major milestone in aluminum's sustainable and lucrative production.

During the trial process, Hydro's renewable hydrogen company incorporated green hydrogen, replacing natural gas, at its production plant in Navarra, Spain. The game-changing trial was executed together with Fives North America Combustion, which specializes in hydrogen burner technology.

For more than 100 years, Hydro has been exploring inventive ways to take advantage of Norway's abundant hydroelectric power. Its first triumph came through an electrochemical process that created artificial fertilizers. It then shifted its focus to the production of aluminum, which is renowned for being one of the most energy-intensive industrial commodities there is. And now, Hydro hopes that the use of hydrogen will be even more lucrative.

Using hydrogen, we can reduce fossil fuel emissions in situations where electricity may not be an alternative, particularly in heavy industries like the aluminum sector. Hydro aims to publish the final results of this trial in the autumn. The aluminum manufactured in this test will be used to create the world's first extruded profiles using hydrogen.

According to Per Christian Eriksen, head of Hydro Havrand, this test is part of developing commercial fuel switch solutions and demonstrating that hydrogen can be used in aluminum production. He adds that green hydrogen can remove hard-to-abate emissions from fossil fuels in processes where electricity is not an alternative, both in aluminum and other heavy industries.

The final report from Hydro's highly successful test is set to be published this fall. In the meantime, the aluminum produced thus far will be used to create the world's first extruded profiles using hydrogen. Simply put, Hydro is showing the world how to get things done in a bold and exciting new way.

Photo: Hydro Newsroom