Aurubis AG and Metso working on the decarbonization of Hamburg copper smelter
Metso Corporation’s press release on September 29, 2023, at 09:00 a.m. EEST
Aurubis AG announced in August 2023 their decision to invest in hydrogen-ready anode furnaces at their Hamburg copper processing plant in Germany. The company relies on Metso’s proven technology, consisting of complete hydrogen-ready Outotec Anode Furnaces with hoods and auxiliary equipment, which will be used in the anode refining process. Close collaboration with Aurubis was key in designing the hydrogen-ready furnace by Metso, a first in the copper industry. Design input was based on full-scale hydrogen testing done at the Aurubis plant in 2021. The order, the value of which is not disclosed, was booked in Metals’ first-half 2023 orders received.
Aurubis expects the new technology in copper production to provide potential savings of 5,000 t of CO2 per year. The Hamburg plant will be one of the first copper smelters in the world to use hydrogen instead of natural gas for the reduction process in its anode furnaces.
Metso has supplied anode furnaces for copper refining and scrap melting since the 1970s. Metso’s Outotec Anode Furnaces are designed for safety and sustainability, enabling lower energy consumption, decreasing batch cycle time for more efficient refining, and resulting in cleaner off-gases. Metso can provide anode furnaces powered with steam reformation or hydrogen capabilities, both of which can significantly reduce process CO2 emissions compared with traditional processing media.
More information about the project is available on Aurubis AG’s website.
Read more about Metso’s Outotec Anode Furnace technology on our website.
Further information:
Harri Talvensaari, Senior Sales Manager, Smelting, tel. +358 44 512 3124, email: harri.talvensaari(at)mogroup.com
Helena Marjaranta, Vice President, Communications and Brand, Metso, tel. +358 20 484 3212, email: helena.marjaranta(at)mogroup.com
Metso is a frontrunner in providing sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By helping our customers increase their productivity, improve their energy and water efficiency and environmental performance with our process and product expertise, we are the partner for positive change.
Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, Metso employs over 16,000 people in close to 50 countries and sales for 2022 were about EUR 5.3 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. metso.com, x.com/metsoofficial
