Kiwa and Vinçotte: Key Partners in the Horizon Europe SYRIUS Project
Kiwa and Vinçotte, a Kiwa company, are proud to be key partners in the Horizon Europe SYRIUS project, “SOEC Hydrogen Integration and Circular Use in Steelmaking Process,” launched by EU CORE Consulting and Politecnico di Milano.
The project aims to revolutionize the steel industry by integrating hydrogen into the steelmaking process, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and advancing energy efficiency.
Kiwa Group’s role in the SYRIUS Project
As part of the SYRIUS partnership, Kiwa is playing a critical role in ensuring the safety and certification of the innovative technologies being developed. Kiwa will oversee the safety assessment, standardization, and pre-certification of the novel Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) system integrated into the steelmaking process. In addition, Vinçotte will ensure the overall safety of the installation by applying a comprehensive 360° approach, collaborating with all stakeholders to guarantee uniform compliance and proper installation standards. Vinçotte will also lead the pre-certification of hydrogen production, ensuring it meets the Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) requirements under RED II.
Transforming the Steel Industry with Hydrogen
The SYRIUS project represents a significant leap forward in the decarbonization of the steel sector. With a €10 million grant and an ambitious timeline, SYRIUS will demonstrate the integration of a 4.2 MWel SOEC into an operational Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) plant in Terni, Italy. This electrolysis system will produce 100 kg of green hydrogen per hour, which will power a fuel-flexible reheating furnace, contributing to a reduction of CO2 emissions by 5,600 tonnes annually.
Kiwa’s certification and safety expertise will ensure that the integration of hydrogen into steel production is not only effective but also safe and compliant with the highest industry standards. By leveraging hydrogen and advanced energy management systems, the project will drive forward a new era of sustainable steelmaking.
Combining Innovation and Industrial Sustainability
SYRIUS will also demonstrate the benefits of industrial circularity, utilizing furnace off-gas heat recovery to generate steam for the SOEC, as well as exploring options for water recycling and by-product oxygen recovery. This integrated approach will improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and contribute to the broader goal of creating a circular economy in the steel sector.
The SYRIUS project is set to make a lasting impact on both the steel industry and the broader EU hydrogen market, providing a scalable model for hydrogen integration that could significantly reduce emissions and promote energy efficiency across the industrial sector. With the support of Kiwa and Vincotte’s expertise, the project aims to set new benchmarks for safety, compliance, and technological innovation.
A Partnership for a Greener Future
The SYRIUS partnership also includes partners across both academia and industry, such as Politecnico di Milano, Acciai Speciali Terni, and Tenova, alongside Kiwa and Vinçotte. Together, these partners are developing cutting-edge technologies that will support the European Green Deal and contribute to the EU’s climate neutrality goals by 2050.
By collaborating on this project, Kiwa, Vinçotte and its partners are leading the charge toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and circular steel industry, underscoring the critical role of hydrogen in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
For more information, read the original press release: Press release - SYRIUS Project launch
Learn more about Kiwa’s work in sustainability and energy transition on our website: https://www.kiwa.com/hydrogen
Pictured above: SYRIUS consortium at the KoM
Terri, Italy