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Industrial Decarbonization
The state-owned asset manager COFIDES has committed €150 million from its Co-investment Fund (FOCO) to Hydnum Steel. This investment will boost the construction in Puertollano of the first clean steel plant on the Iberian Peninsula, a project that will mobilize more than €1.500 billion and create over 5.000 jobs.
The public company COFIDES has announced an investment commitment of 150 millones de euros in the capital of Hydnum Steel, intended for the construction of the first production plant of clean steel from the Península Ibérica en Puertollano (Ciudad RealThis operation, channeled through the Co-investment Fund (FOCO), reinforces the viability of a strategic project for the reindustrialization and productive autonomy of España y Europa.
The capital injection is part of a global financial plan that exceeds 1.500 millones de euros, of which approximately 600 million corresponds to share capital (equityand nearly €1.000 billion in debt. The project has strong institutional backing, including support from PERTE II of Industrial Decarbonizationand is promoted by the company Russula together with a consortium of industrial and financial partners.
A project for industrial and energy sovereignty
Hydnum Steel It positions itself as a key player in the ecological transition of the steel sector. The plant, designed as an integrated and digitized facility, will operate without fossil fuels, using electric arc furnaces powered by green hydrogen and 100% renewable energy. This innovative process will allow for a reduction in the carbon footprint of 98% in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces, a milestone in European heavy industry.
The plant will have a production capacity of 2,7 million tons per year of flat steel, a high value-added product for multiple industrial sectors. Market interest has already materialized in commercial agreements covering 100% of the first phase's production for the initial five years of operation, guaranteeing its commercial viability from the outset.
Technological alliances and administrative advances
Since its presentation in 2023, the project has overcome crucial administrative milestones. Among them, the favorable resolution of the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadalquivir for the hydrological adaptation and obtaining 500 MW of access to the electrical grid at the node of BrazatortasThe company plans to begin earthmoving at the end of 2026, in accordance with its roadmap.
The technology consortium that backs Hydnum Steel It is composed of leaders in their respective fields. The German multinational Siemens will provide solutions for digitization, automation and cybersecurity; ABEI Energy will be responsible for renewable generation and the supply of green hydrogen; and the firm Primetals Technologies It will provide the metallurgical technology, including the continuous rolling system. Endless Strip Production (Arvedi ESP)In addition, a system will be implemented Zero Liquid Discharge for water treatment, which prevents spills and promotes water reuse.
| Concept | Figure |
|---|---|
| Global investment mobilized | > 1.500 million euros |
| Investment of COFIDES (FOCUS) | 150 millones de euros |
| Annual production of flat steel | 2,7 billion tons |
| Reduction of CO₂ emissions | 98% (vs. conventional processes) |
| Job creation (total) | > 5.000 positions |
| Skilled direct employment | > 1.000 positions |
Socioeconomic impact and institutional vision
The project, which has passed the public consultation phase to be declared Project of Singular Interest (PSI) awarded by the Junta de Castilla-La ManchaThis will have a significant impact on the region. It is estimated to create more than 5.000 jobs, of which more than 1.000 will be direct and highly skilled, and more than 4.000 indirect and induced. To achieve this, Hydnum Steel It will promote training programs in collaboration with local educational centers.
Ángela Pérez, President and CEO of COFIDESHe emphasized that "through FOCO we support projects that contribute to transforming strategic sectors for the economy." Hydnum Steel It is a clear example of this, combining industrial innovation, sustainable production, and the development of productive capacities. Its implementation will contribute to accelerating the decarbonization of European industry and the move towards a more sustainable economy.
For its part, Eva ManeiroCEO Hydnum Steel, has indicated that «the support of COFIDES The award of the PERTE Decarbonization grant represents a fundamental boost for our project and its role in the reindustrialization and decarbonization of European industry. It shows that our roadmap is progressing as planned and is fully aligned with the industrial and energy sovereignty objectives of España and Unión Europea».
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