German steelmaker Salzgitter Flachstahl and energy service provider EWE entered a long-term agreement for the supply of green hydrogen.

Starting in 2030, EWE will deliver approximately 10,000 tons of green hydrogen per year from its production plant in Emden over an initial seven-year term. Transported via the hydrogen core network, this volume will cover about 6.5% of the requirements for Salzgitter's low-carbon steelmaking program SALCOS®, which aims to replace natural gas and coal with hydrogen to achieve virtually climate-neutral production.

This contract represents a major commercial commitment prior to the full establishment of a hydrogen market. However, executives from both corporations said that the sector still faces significant regulatory hurdles and high production costs, calling for more flexible framework conditions from policymakers.