SALZGITTER MANNESMANN FORSCHUNG GMBH

Their core work

Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung is the central R&D company of the Salzgitter Group, one of Europe's major steel producers. Their H2020 work focuses on integrating green hydrogen production into steel manufacturing via high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC). They led two successive GrInHy projects that demonstrate reversible electrolysis at industrial scale within a working steel plant. They also contributed to offshore wind cost reduction, reflecting steel's role as a key structural material for wind energy infrastructure.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest H2020 involvement (GrInHy, 2016) established the concept of reversible high-temperature electrolysis for steel industry hydrogen needs. By GrInHy2.0 (2019), the focus sharpened explicitly on steam electrolysis, SOEC technology, and hydrogen production at scale — moving from proof-of-concept toward industrial deployment. The parallel involvement in offshore wind (i4Offshore, 2018) shows a broadening interest in how steel sector expertise can serve the energy transition beyond their own factory gates.

Moving from electrolysis research toward industrial-scale green hydrogen deployment, positioning themselves at the intersection of steel decarbonization and the hydrogen economy.

How they like to work

SZMF prefers to lead: they coordinated both GrInHy projects, taking ownership of the research agenda rather than just contributing components. Their third-party role in i4Offshore suggests they selectively join larger consortia when their steel expertise is specifically needed. With 27 partners across 10 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in mid-to-large consortia with broad European reach, typical of an industrial R&D lab that brings a real-world testbed (the Salzgitter steel plant) to the table.

Connected to 27 unique partners across 10 countries, built primarily through hydrogen electrolysis consortia. Their network spans the electrolyser supply chain — from cell manufacturers and research institutes to energy utilities and end-use industrial partners.

What sets them apart

Very few organizations can offer what SZMF brings: a major steel plant as a living laboratory for green hydrogen integration. While many groups research electrolysis in the lab, SZMF tests it where it matters — in continuous industrial operation with real waste heat, real hydrogen demand, and real grid constraints. For any consortium targeting industrial decarbonization or hydrogen-to-steel pathways, they provide both the technical R&D capability and the physical infrastructure to demonstrate results at scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GrInHy
  Pioneering project that first demonstrated reversible high-temperature electrolysis integrated into an operating steel plant, with SZMF as coordinator and largest funding recipient (EUR 425K).
• GrInHy2.0
  Direct continuation scaling up SOEC hydrogen production for steel industry use — the fact that the EU funded a sequel signals strong results from the first phase.