ABB teams up with Lhyfe and Skyborn Renewables to establish large-scale renewable hydrogen production facility in Sweden

ABB has joined forces with Lhyfe and Skyborn Renewables to establish a large-scale renewable hydrogen production facility called SoutH2port in Söderhamn, Sweden. The plant will be powered by electricity from Skyborn’s planned offshore wind farm, Storgrundet, and is expected to produce approximately 240 tonnes of hydrogen gas per day. ABB will contribute its expertise in optimising hydrogen and electricity production, with a focus on electrofuels as potential end products. The collaboration aims to explore Power-to-X techniques, converting renewable electricity into carbon dioxide-neutral energy carriers, such as hydrogen. 

(Press Release, EnergiNyheter, NordiskaProjekt)

TotalEnergies sues Greenpeace over allegations of underestimated emissions

French oil major TotalEnergies has filed a lawsuit against Greenpeace France and climate consulting firm Factor-X over a report alleging that TotalEnergies significantly underestimated its 2019 greenhouse gas emissions. TotalEnergies is seeking a ruling that the report contains false and misleading information, along with an order to withdraw the publication and cease all references to it. The company argues that the report used dubious methodologies and double-counted emissions. The first procedural hearing for the case is scheduled for September. Greenpeace views the lawsuit as an attempt to silence criticism ahead of TotalEnergies’ general assembly in May, where activist shareholders will push for stricter climate commitments. 

(The Guardian)

Vale SA and GravitHy partner to develop carbon neutral steel solutions

Brazilian miner Vale S.A. signed an agreement with French sustainable iron ore company GravitHy to seek solutions to produce carbon neutral steel. The agreement will focus on studies to build a factory to produce briquettes from Vale’s high-grade iron ore through direct reduction, a steel making method. Vale’s briquette is an iron ore agglomerate that reduces emissions in the steelmaking process in the blast furnace route and emits less CO2 when compared to pellets. 

The product is part of the company’s plans to achieve its commitment to reduce scope 3 net emissions by 15% by 2035. The briquette factory would be located in Fos-sur-Mer, France, next to GravitHy’s first Direct Reduction Iron (DRI, also known as a sponge iron) plant. GravitHy’s plant is designed to produce DRI using hydrogen as a reducing fuel, substantially cutting CO2 emissions in the steelmaking chain when compared to the blast furnace route, and is set to be traded globally in the form of hot-briquetted iron (HBI).

(MINING)

Saint-Gobain Sweden reports strong progress in sustainability for 2022

Saint-Gobain Sweden, a subsidiary of the French global construction group Saint-Gobain, has released a report titled “Sustainability year 2022 – We build and enable sustainability” highlighting its progress in sustainability. The company aims to reduce its own climate emissions and emissions in the value chain by 40% by 2030 compared to 2017. In 2022, they achieved a 14% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions. The sustainability work is guided by four focus areas: innovative and circular solutions, responsibility, knowledge and faith in the future and sustainable action. 

Several initiatives were implemented, such as transitioning to renewable fuels, reducing water withdrawal and increasing recycling. Gyproc’s factory became the first in the world to produce plasterboard using 100% renewable energy. The company also aims to transition to recycled plastic in packaging and inspire others in the industry to act sustainably through webinars, training, collaborations and industry initiatives.
(Press Release)

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