Production process & positioning

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An innovative & decarbonized production line

GravitHy implements an advanced industrial process to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI/HBI) from low-carbon hydrogen. This process allows replacing the coal used in the blast furnaces with a clean and sustainable solution, reducing up to 90% of CO₂ emissions related to iron production.

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Import of iron ore

The ore (pellets), is transported by sea to the Fos-sur-Mer mineral terminal. About 3 million tonnes per year are planned.

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Low-carbon hydrogen production

GravitHy will produce up to 120,000 tons of hydrogen per year, via the electrolysis of water, powered by renewable and low-carbon electricity. The installed capacity of the electrolyzers will reach up to 750 MW, making it the largest installation ever built in France.

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Direct reduction of ore

Iron ore and hydrogen are injected into the DRI tower (or reactor) for direct reduction of iron ore. The reaction between hydrogen and iron pellets results in metallic iron, without carbon combustion. 2Mt/year will be produced by the GravitHy’s plant in Fos sur Mer.
This innovative process allows the production of iron to be decoupled from that of steel, allowing increased industrial flexibility.

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Transformation to HBI

Reduced iron is compacted as HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron), facilitating its transport and use by European steelmakers.

Environmental benefits

  • Up to 4 million tons of CO₂ avoided each year at the Fos sur Mer site alone, equivalent to 5% of French industrial emissions.
  • A carbon footprint estimated between 50 and 120 kg CO₂ per ton of iron, with a target at 50 kg CO₂/t according to electricity supply.
  • Direct contribution to European climate objectives and the energy transition of the steel sector.

An innovative positioning in the steel value chain

Traditionally, steel production is based on an integrated chain: iron ore is processed into cast iron in a blast furnace and then converted into steel in a converter. This model is energy-consuming, CO₂ emitting, and not very flexible.

We introduce an industrial break by dissociating the production of iron (DRI/HBI) from steel production. This approach enables the creation of a new autonomous link in the value chain: a ready-to-use low-carbon iron, sold as a commodity to steelmakers.

GravitHy : a full-fledged player between ore and steel

our purpose

A new market for HBI

We offer HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) as a standardized product, available on the European market:

  • Intermediate product between the ore and the steel, usable directly in electric furnaces.
  • Supplement to scrap, whose quality and availability can vary.
  • Transportable and exportable, with a reduced carbon footprint.
  • Emerging market in Europe, in response to decarbonization objectives.
our low carbon iron

Low-carbon hydrogen

Hydrogen, the cornerstone of iron decarbonization

We will produce and use low-carbon hydrogen to produce our reduced iron (HBI), replacing natural gas or coal used in traditional processes. This technological choice enables ~90% reduction in CO₂ emissions related to the production of metallic iron.

How it works

The process is based on water electrolysis, which involves separating water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an electric current. When this electricity is renewable or low-carbon, the hydrogen produced is itself low-carbon.

This hydrogen is then injected into a direct reduction reactor (or DRI tower), where it reacts with iron ore to extract oxygen, thereby producing metallic iron without carbon combustion.

A lever for energy and industrial sovereignty

By producing its own hydrogen on site, GravitHy:

  • Secures its energy supply.
  • Reduces its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
  • Contributes to the development of the French and European hydrogen sector.

Purpose

Our purpose A new industry standard As a future European leader in low-carbon iron production, our model is based on collaboration and a strong commitment to local ecosystems. We position …

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