LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leading carbon recycling company, and ArcelorMittal S.A., the world’s largest integrated steel and mining company, announced a significant milestone in their collaboration. Ethanol produced at ArcelorMittal’s Steelanol facility in Ghent has now reached a level of production that allows it to be shipped by barge. This marks an important step in the companies’ shared goal of developing a sustainable ethanol supply chain in Europe.
Earlier this month, LanzaTech took ownership of the first barge shipment of ethanol, which is now en route to be purified and sold to LanzaTech’s CarbonSmart™ customers in the fragrance and home care industries. This milestone brings the companies closer to establishing a robust European supply chain for locally produced, sustainable ethanol.
The Steelanol facility, which began ethanol production in 2023, utilizes LanzaTech’s advanced carbon recycling technology to convert carbon-rich industrial emissions from ArcelorMittal’s blast furnace into fuel-grade ethanol. This innovative plant is the first of its kind in the European steel industry and can produce ethanol for direct sale into fuel markets or for further purification and use in a wide range of consumer products such as apparel, personal care items, and packaging.
“This milestone is a key step in transforming industrial emissions from waste into valuable raw materials, supporting European supply chains in creating everyday products,” said Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Chair and CEO of LanzaTech. “ArcelorMittal has long been a leader in decarbonizing steel production, and we are excited to continue expanding our partnership as we work towards a circular economy.”
Manfred Van Vlierberghe, CEO of ArcelorMittal Belgium, also celebrated the achievement: “The successful shipment of ethanol by barge represents another major step in our decarbonization journey. This follows the successful industrial and commercial production of ethanol at Steelanol, and we look forward to further advancements. Initiatives like Steelanol and Torero, which produces biocoal from waste wood, are helping us make significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions. Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires a holistic approach, integrating efforts in energy efficiency, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and electrification, alongside projects like Steelanol.”
The Steelanol facility is capable of producing 80 million liters of advanced ethanol annually, approximately half of Belgium’s total demand. This output is expected to reduce carbon emissions at ArcelorMittal’s Ghent plant by 125,000 tonnes annually, contributing to the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. The project is supported by Primetals Technologies, E4tech (now part of ERM), and CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency.
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