Aurubis and Metso to Decarbonise the Hamburg Copper Smelter

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Aurubis AG announced in August 2023 its decision to invest in hydrogen-ready anode furnaces at its Hamburg copper processing plant in Germany.

The company relies on Metso’s 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, which has not been disclosed, was booked in Metals’ 1H23 orders received.

Aurubis expects the new technology in copper production to provide potential savings of 5000 tpy of CO2. 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.

Courtesy: www.globalminingreview.com