Summary

Working Group Starfish was created by former directors, professors and experts of Hoogovens out of dissatisfaction with the Anglo-Saxon business model and its negative effects on the IJmuiden steel company. 'Things have to be different to avoid a downfall' they thought. Unbundle from the European Mogul regime TSE (Tata Steel Europe), and move more sustainably towards fossil-free yet remain competitive from a circular mindset. Back to the Rhineland model. An account of Project Starfish given by Peter Zonneveld, Hoogovens Director and since 2002 Director of Danieli Corus, plant builder, since 2018 pensionado.

Interesting details

  • On 15 September 2021, Tata Steel Netherlands (TSN) agreed to the hydrogen route.
  • TSN recently split from Tata Steel Europe and is no longer attached to Tata Steel Europe headquartered in London.
  • First, Hoogoven 6 (HO6) will be demolished, later HO 7. TSN wants this later than the Zeester project group because of the economic life of HO7, which was renewed too recently. Both will be replaced by a DRP (Direct Reduction Plant).
  • First direct reduction with natural gas, later withH2 and possibly Biogas, to reduceCO2 emissions to almost zero. A DRP furnace has about the same reduction cycle time as a blast furnace. About 8 hours. The DRP produces Fe-rich pellets. DRI = Direct Reduced Iron). These are purified into steel in an EAF (Electric Arc Furnace ). There is still discussion with TSN about SAF (Submerged Arc Furnace) or EAF. Generally, SAFs are used in the non-ferrous industry, for alloys.
  • Making green hydrogen requires numerous large offshore wind turbines. These are getting bigger (15-20 MW) and also more efficient. Up to 300 m high.
  • The existing natural gas network will be converted to transport hydrogen. The so-called Hydrogen Backbone, from Eemshaven to Maasvlakte with a branch to IJmuiden, will most likely be completed in 2028. Hydrogen can then be produced (by electrolysis) on-shore or even off-shore at the wind farms, as the pipeline network is already in place. The empty Groningen salt domes, will be converted to store Hâ and as such act as a buffer on windless days.

Working Group Starfish was created by former directors, professors and experts of Hoogovens out of dissatisfaction with the Anglo-Saxon business model and its negative effects on the IJmuiden steel company. 'Things have to change to avoid a downfall' they thought.

Unbundling from the European Mogul regime TSE (Tata Steel Europe), and moving more sustainably towards fossil-free and still remain competitive from a circular perspective. Back to the Rhineland model.

An account of Project Starfish given by Peter Zonneveld, Hoogovens Director and since 2002 Director of Danieli Corus, plant builder, since 2018 pensionado