Materials Processing Institute launches fully operational hydrogen facility to drive industrial decarbonisation
The Materials Processing Institute (MPI) has completed the successful commissioning of its hydrogen (H2) bulk storage facility, and H2 transport network, which is now fully operational following its first hydrogen fill.
This marks a significant advance in MPI’s capabilities to support industrial decarbonisation by driving innovation and scaling up low-carbon hydrogen-based technologies.
The facility, specifically designed to power a variety of industrial equipment, including preheat and reheat furnaces situated at MPI’s Teesside campus, offers clients vital access to hydrogen, enabling the exploration and implementation of the sustainable alternative fuel source.
Green Lithium, which is building a lithium refinery at PD Ports on Teesside, will be the first to benefit, launching hydrogen trials to decarbonise its lithium ore calcination process. This initiative aligns with the company’s vision to increase the supply of low-carbon lithium chemicals to mitigate the carbon impact of the European battery and electric vehicle supply chains.
MPI is set to expand its hydrogen applications with its acquisition of a five-tonne-capacity multi-fuel bogie hearth furnace. This advanced fully instrumented system, capable of efficiently heating materials up to 1300°C, will support essential materials heat treatment processes, and low-carbon fuel switch testing.
In addition, MPI plans to integrate an on-site green hydrogen generation system, reducing dependence on external suppliers and enhancing operational cost-efficiency.
This builds on the organisation’s previous successes, including leading the H2DRI project and a reheat furnace hydrogen fuel switch feasibility study. Both projects were funded by the Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio Industrial Fuel Switching Competition.
The H2DRI project focused on replacing traditional coke-based fuels with hydrogen and electricity in iron furnaces, paving the way for scaling up green steelmaking in the UK. The feasibility study focused on delivering a modelling of an existing furnace and a techno-economic analysis of fuel switching for an industrial reheat furnace.
Dr Hichem Hakka, Group Leader of the Energy and Proces Decarbonisation team, said: “The successful hydrogen fill validates our infrastructure and safety protocols, enabling us to integrate hydrogen into decarbonisation trials. This milestone positions MPI as a leader in hydrogen technologies, offering invaluable support to companies exploring sustainable energy solutions.”
Derryth Young, Engineering Manager of Green Lithium, commented: “We are excited to be collaborating with MPI on this important innovation for Teesside. Hydrogen is a critical utility for our lithium refinery and will be a major factor in the production of low-carbon battery-grade lithium chemicals for the European downstream EV market.”
Terry Walsh, MPI’s CEO, added: “Through our state-of-the-art facilities that replicate real-world industrial conditions, we provide a platform for testing, validating, up-scaling and de-risking hydrogen-based solutions. This cements our position as a leader in hydrogen-based decarbonisation technologies as well as a trusted partner for industries striving to meet the challenges of climate change. This facility also further strengthens Teesside’s position as a leading hub for hydrogen-based energy solutions.”
MPI’s hydrogen facility, which was developed with funding from Innovate UK’s PRISM and EconoMISER programmes, features storage tanks, piping systems, and advanced safety equipment. PRISM supports innovation in decarbonisation, digital technologies, and the circular economy for the UK steel and metals sector. Meanwhile, the EconoMISER programme focuses on scaling up sustainable technologies for foundation industries.
25 March 2025
