Utility Global and ArcelorMittal Brazil partner to pilot clean hydrogen technology at Juiz de Fora steel plant using off-gas.
Utility Global, a U.S.-based pioneer in clean hydrogen solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with ArcelorMittal Brazil, a subsidiary of one of the world’s foremost steel manufacturing companies. The collaboration centers around the potential development of a clean hydrogen project at ArcelorMittal’s Juiz de Fora steel plant in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The initiative has now progressed to the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase, during which the companies will evaluate the integration of Utility Global’s proprietary hydrogen production system, H2Gen®, at the site.
The H2Gen® system offers a novel approach to clean hydrogen generation by utilizing blast furnace off-gas as a primary energy source. Unlike conventional electrolysis methods, H2Gen does not require electricity. Instead, it leverages a patented reactor design that converts a range of variable industrial gases into high-purity hydrogen along with a concentrated stream of carbon dioxide (CO2). This concentrated CO2 stream can be efficiently captured and sequestered, thus addressing one of the steel industry’s most challenging decarbonization issues.
The hydrogen produced by this process can be reintegrated into steelmaking operations, replacing natural gas and significantly reducing overall carbon emissions. Utility Global will spearhead the initial engineering assessments to determine whether the H2Gen system is technically and economically viable for deployment at the Juiz de Fora plant. If successful, the system is expected to produce up to three tons of hydrogen per day on-site, utilizing the blast furnace gases currently generated by ArcelorMittal Brazil.
One of the key advantages of the H2Gen technology lies in its modular and scalable architecture. This flexibility allows industrial sites to install hydrogen generation capabilities on-location with a minimal carbon footprint while maintaining operational continuity and efficiency. Utility Global sees this initiative as a critical step toward expanding its presence in industrial hydrogen applications and contributing to global energy transition efforts.
Parker Meeks, CEO of Utility Global, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “This project demonstrates our joint commitment to advancing technologies that promote sustainable industrial growth. By partnering with a globally respected steel producer like ArcelorMittal, we’re showcasing how clean hydrogen can play a transformative role in reducing emissions in heavy industries.”
ArcelorMittal’s investment in Utility Global is supported through its XCarb® Innovation Fund, a $5 million contribution aimed at backing disruptive technologies that can substantially reduce carbon emissions in the steelmaking process. Launched in 2021, the XCarb® Innovation Fund focuses not only on providing capital but also on offering real-world testing environments for its portfolio companies.
Irina Gorbounova, who leads the XCarb® Innovation Fund, expressed confidence in the collaboration: “While the fund is primarily a financial tool, we have always aimed to go beyond just investment. Our global network serves as a proving ground for pioneering technologies like H2Gen. We’re enthusiastic about its potential and are proud to help bring it closer to industrial adoption.”
