From Tradition to Transformation: Hammerwerk Erft commits to Green Power Premium Steel from GMH Gruppe

Hammerwerk Erft G. Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG is now using Green Power Premium Steel from Georgsmarienhütte GmbH – an important step towards climate-neutral forging. The first delivery of 120 tonnes of Green Power Premium Steel to the long-established company, based in Bad Münstereifel, marks the beginning of a closer partnership between the traditional forging specialist and Georgsmarienhütte GmbH, a GMH Group company.
 
The steel, manufactured using 100 per cent renewable energy from biogenic coal, offers a reduction in CO₂ emissions of up to 98 per cent and is therefore currently the lowest-emission steel available in Germany.
 
Georgsmarienhütte GmbH has been a pioneer in the field of sustainable steel production in Germany for over three decades. At the core of its production process is the direct-current electric arc furnace, that relies almost entirely on scrap metal. This production method alone is responsible for around 80 per cent lower CO₂ emissions than occur with the classic blast furnace method.
 
Green Power Premium Steel – Steel with a particularly low CO₂ footprint
 
With its product ‘Green Power Premium Steel` Georgsmarienhütte GmbH goes further than the requirements of classic low-emission electric steel production: The steel is melted with 100 per cent renewable electricity and the sole use of biogenic coal ensures a climate-friendly alternative to fossil coal. This so-called biochar is produced by the pyrolytic carbonisation of certified wood waste. The result: a 98 per cent smaller carbon footprint (scope 1+2) compared to steel produced in a conventional blast furnace.
 
Certified sustainability – transparent and verifiable

Green Power Premium steel products are certified by guarantees of origin for the green electricity used in their production. The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is calculated according to a method validated by Germany’s technical inspection body (TÜV Süd). It includes the requirements of the ISO 14067 and 14044 standards and the specifications relating to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol covering the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions and the associated reporting required from companies. The CO₂ emissions are recorded transparently along the entire value chain, from ‘cradle to gate’. Georgsmarienhütte GmbH can provide a precise, product-specific PCF calculation for over 1,000 steel variants.

Strong partnership with a focus on climate neutrality
 
Hammerwerk Erft G. Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG has been a long-standing customer for ingots and continuously cast blooms from Georgsmarienhütte GmbH, and a strategic partner of the GMH Group. The tradition-rich family company specialises in high-quality forged items as an open-die forger and a producer of seamless rolled rings.
 
Marc Schmitz, Managing Director of Hammerwerk Erft, explains: “As a family-owned company, with a long tradition in the forging industry, we know how crucial sustainable solutions are for the future – especially in an industry like ours. With the first ingot melt from Green Power Premium Steel, we are taking an important step towards climate-friendly production, together with Georgsmarienhütte. We are pleased to be taking this path with a strong partner at our side.”
 
Frank Agel, Managing Director of Georgsmarienhütte GmbH, adds: “With our high-quality product ‘Green Power Premium’ we can actively support the decarbonisation of our customers’ applications. We are delighted to be able to support our long-standing business partner Hammerwerk Erft in this endeavour with the first batch of ‘Green Power Premium Steel’ for their products.”
 
With this successful delivery, both partners are sending a clear signal in support of a more climate-friendly steel and forging industry.