Energy company Moeve and steelmaker ArcelorMittal have launched a joint innovation platform called “Green Molecules to Green Steel” (G2G) to accelerate industrial decarbonisation.
Established as a 50-50 joint venture between the two companies, the platform will focus on developing, scaling and implementing technologies to support the transition to low-CO₂ steel production.
Projects carried out under the platform will be supported through the companies’ own resources and public funding. The Asturias Agency for Science, Business Competitiveness and Innovation (Sekuens) will also participate through existing and future funding instruments aimed at supporting innovation in the region.
The potential future participation of other public institutions and private companies whose activities align with the platform’s objectives and structure will also be considered.
Renewable hydrogen and biofuels to be used
Under G2G, projects will focus on the use of biogas, biomethane, renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, as well as second-generation biofuels, in steel production. Other decarbonisation solutions, such as more efficient catalysts, will also be among the platform’s areas of focus.
Supported by the innovation centres of Moeve and ArcelorMittal, the platform will work on CO₂ capture technologies, the utilisation of captured molecules, biotechnology to improve production processes, and the use of artificial intelligence in the development of new materials.
The technologies developed are planned to be initially tested in industrial demonstration projects, with successful applications later scaled up at the companies’ production facilities. G2G will also operate as an open and collaborative ecosystem offering opportunities to entrepreneurs, universities and technology centres.
“Will advance Europe’s energy independence”
Moeve CEO Maarten Wetselaar said the partnership strengthens cooperation between two major global companies committed to innovation, decarbonisation and Europe’s competitiveness.
“This alliance strengthens the collaboration between two major global companies committed to innovation, decarbonisation and Europe’s competitiveness. The tool we are launching today will enable us to deliver solutions and further advance the continent’s energy independence. At Moeve, we are moving in this direction through investments and new projects aimed at leading the energy transition,” Wetselaar said.
ArcelorMittal Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Pinakin Chaubal said the company needs to continue researching technologies that can enable environmentally and economically sustainable production and achieve this transition as quickly as possible.
“ArcelorMittal has major R&D centres in different parts of the world, particularly in Spain. However, due to the complexity of the challenge we face, we will never be able to solve it alone. More than ever, we need to work on collaborative innovation models, of which this platform is an important example,” Chaubal said.
Sekuens to support the platform
Sekuens CEO David González said the agency fully supports the initiative, noting that the platform will not only have a direct impact on the two companies but will also contribute to strengthening Asturias’ innovation ecosystem.
González added that the platform could accelerate the development of technology companies with high growth potential operating in areas such as security and biofuels.
G2G will operate in line with Moeve’s objective of accelerating the transformation of the energy, chemicals and mobility sectors, as well as ArcelorMittal’s goal of transitioning towards low-CO₂ steel production.
As part of its Positive Motion roadmap, Moeve is developing projects including a second-generation biofuels plant and the Andalusia Green Hydrogen Valley. Two of ArcelorMittal’s leading low-emission steel projects in Europe are also located in Spain. The company is developing the XCarb® recycled and renewable energy-powered steel project for flat products in Sestao, while in Gijón it is developing a low-emission steel project focused on long products.
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