PyroGenesis Signs $2.4 Million Contract with Norsk Hydro ASA
PyroGenesis has secured a €1.63 million (CA$2.4 million) contract with Norsk Hydro ASA to test plasma technology for replacing fossil fuels in aluminum casthouses. The project, to be implemented at Hydro's Sunndal plant in Norway, aims to be one of the first worldwide to use plasma for industrial-scale aluminum melting.
The contract includes engineering, design, manufacturing, and delivery of a PyroGenesis plasma torch system to replace existing natural gas-powered furnace burners. Hydro's Sunndal facility, Europe's largest and most modern primary aluminum plant, produces over 400,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, 500,000 tonnes of casthouse products, and 80,000 tonnes of anodes annually.
The initiative aligns with Hydro's goal to achieve net-zero emissions across its aluminum value chain by 2050. If successful, the project could reduce global emissions from aluminum casthouses and recyclers by approximately 11 million tonnes of CO2.
PyroGenesis ha ottenuto un contratto di 1,63 milioni di euro (2,4 milioni di CA$) con Norsk Hydro ASA per testare la tecnologia al plasma come sostituto dei combustibili fossili nelle fonderie di alluminio. Il progetto, che sarà realizzato presso lo stabilimento di Hydro a Sunndal, in Norvegia, mira a diventare uno dei primi al mondo a utilizzare il plasma per la fusione dell'alluminio su scala industriale.
Il contratto include ingegneria, progettazione, produzione e consegna di un sistema di torcia al plasma di PyroGenesis per sostituire i bruciatori a gas naturale esistenti. L'impianto di Sunndal di Hydro, il più grande e moderno impianto di alluminio primario in Europa, produce oltre 400.000 tonnellate di alluminio primario, 500.000 tonnellate di prodotti da fonderia e 80.000 tonnellate di anodi all'anno.
L'iniziativa è in linea con l'obiettivo di Hydro di raggiungere emissioni nette zero lungo tutta la sua catena del valore dell'alluminio entro il 2050. Se avrà successo, il progetto potrebbe ridurre le emissioni globali delle fonderie di alluminio e dei riciclatori di circa 11 milioni di tonnellate di CO2.
PyroGenesis ha asegurado un contrato de 1,63 millones de euros (2,4 millones de CA$) con Norsk Hydro ASA para probar tecnología de plasma como reemplazo de combustibles fósiles en las fundiciones de aluminio. El proyecto, que se implementará en la planta de Hydro en Sunndal, Noruega, tiene como objetivo convertirse en uno de los primeros a nivel mundial en utilizar plasma para la fusión de aluminio a escala industrial.
El contrato incluye ingeniería, diseño, fabricación y entrega de un sistema de antorcha de plasma de PyroGenesis para reemplazar los quemadores de horno a gas natural existentes. La instalación de Sunndal de Hydro, la más grande y moderna planta de aluminio primario en Europa, produce más de 400.000 toneladas de aluminio primario, 500.000 toneladas de productos de fundición y 80.000 toneladas de ánodos anualmente.
La iniciativa se alinea con el objetivo de Hydro de lograr emisiones netas cero en toda su cadena de valor del aluminio para 2050. Si tiene éxito, el proyecto podría reducir las emisiones globales de las fundiciones de aluminio y recicladores en aproximadamente 11 millones de toneladas de CO2.
PyroGenesis는 Norsk Hydro ASA와 함께 알루미늄 주조소에서 화석 연료를 대체하기 위한 플라즈마 기술을 시험하기 위해 163만 유로(240만 CA$) 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 노르웨이의 하이드로 선달 공장에서 시행될 예정이며, 산업 규모의 알루미늄 용융에 플라즈마를 사용하는 세계 최초의 프로젝트 중 하나가 되는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
계약에는 기존의 천연가스 연료 버너를 대체하기 위한 PyroGenesis 플라즈마 토치 시스템의 엔지니어링, 설계, 제조 및 배송이 포함됩니다. 유럽에서 가장 크고 현대적인 알루미늄 1차 공장인 하이드로의 선달 시설은 연간 40만 톤 이상의 1차 알루미늄, 50만 톤의 주조 제품, 8만 톤의 음극을 생산합니다.
이 이니셔티브는 2050년까지 알루미늄 가치 사슬 전반에 걸쳐 탄소 중립 목표를 달성하려는 하이드로의 목표와 일치합니다. 프로젝트가 성공하면 알루미늄 주조소와 재활용업체의 전 세계 CO2 배출량을 약 1100만 톤 줄일 수 있습니다.
PyroGenesis a obtenu un contrat de 1,63 million d'euros (2,4 millions de CA$) avec Norsk Hydro ASA pour tester la technologie plasma en tant que remplacement des combustibles fossiles dans les fonderies d'aluminium. Le projet, qui sera mis en œuvre à l'usine de Hydro à Sunndal, en Norvège, vise à devenir l'un des premiers au monde à utiliser le plasma pour la fusion de l'aluminium à une échelle industrielle.
Le contrat comprend l'ingénierie, la conception, la fabrication et la livraison d'un système de torche plasma de PyroGenesis pour remplacer les brûleurs de four alimentés au gaz naturel existants. L'installation de Sunndal de Hydro, la plus grande et la plus moderne usine d'aluminium primaire en Europe, produit plus de 400 000 tonnes d'aluminium primaire, 500 000 tonnes de produits de fonderie et 80 000 tonnes d'anodes chaque année.
Cette initiative s'inscrit dans l'objectif de Hydro d'atteindre des émissions nettes nulles dans l'ensemble de sa chaîne de valeur de l'aluminium d'ici 2050. Si le projet réussit, il pourrait réduire les émissions mondiales des fonderies d'aluminium et des recycleurs d'environ 11 millions de tonnes de CO2.
PyroGenesis hat einen Vertrag über 1,63 Millionen Euro (2,4 Millionen CA$) mit Norsk Hydro ASA gesichert, um Plasmatechnologie als Ersatz für fossile Brennstoffe in Aluminiumgusswerken zu testen. Das Projekt, das im Werk von Hydro in Sunndal, Norwegen, umgesetzt werden soll, zielt darauf ab, eines der ersten weltweit zu sein, das Plasma für die industrielle Aluminiumverarbeitung nutzt.
Der Vertrag umfasst Ingenieurleistungen, Design, Herstellung und Lieferung eines PyroGenesis-Plasmatorchensystems zur Ersetzung der bestehenden Erdgasbrenner. Die Sunndal-Anlage von Hydro, das größte und modernste Primäraluminiumwerk in Europa, produziert jährlich über 400.000 Tonnen Primäraluminium, 500.000 Tonnen Gussprodukte und 80.000 Tonnen Anoden.
Die Initiative steht im Einklang mit Hydros Ziel, bis 2050 Netto-Null-Emissionen in seiner gesamten Aluminium-Wertschöpfungskette zu erreichen. Wenn das Projekt erfolgreich ist, könnte es die globalen Emissionen von Aluminiumgusswerken und Recyclern um etwa 11 Millionen Tonnen CO2 reduzieren.
- Secured €1.63M (CA$2.4M) contract with major industry leader Norsk Hydro
- Technology can increase production rates by up to 30% from same footprint
- Potential for significant business expansion if pilot successful
- Solution offers both cost savings and environmental benefits
- Project success not guaranteed as it's still in testing phase
- Implementation timeline extends to next year
Norsk Hydro ASA Moves to Decarbonize Aluminum Casthouses by Testing PyroGenesis’ Plasma Technology with Global Potential
MONTREAL, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes all-electric plasma processes and sustainable solutions to support heavy industry in their energy transition, emission reduction, commodity security, and waste remediation efforts, announces that it has signed a
In January 2024, Hydro, as part of its stated goal to achieve net-zero emissions across the entire aluminum value chain by 2050, publicly announced their intention to test plasma technology in their test center in Sunndal Norway.
Image 1: Sunndal primary aluminium plant (Photo: Anders Vindegg/Hydro)
“We are exploring the application of renewable energy sources in production steps that traditionally rely on fossil fuels. Plasma technology offers a way to electrify casthouse operations using the same renewable energy that powers our primary smelters. If we succeed with the pilot project at Sunndal, it will not only impact our operations but also has the potential to bring change to the aluminium industry and other hard-to-abate sectors worldwide,” says Per Eilert Vierli, Senior Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal.
Hydro intends to melt the first aluminum in the R&D casthouse at Sunndal by next year. Hydro’s Sunndal plant is the largest and most modern primary aluminum plant in Europe.i The facility, which also houses remelting, casthouse, and research and development activities, produces over 400,000 tonnes of primary aluminum, 500,000 tonnes of casthouse products, and 80,000 tonnes of anodes annually.
Image 2: Drone photo of Sunndalsøra Norway, featuring Hydro’s aluminium plant, the largest and most modern primary aluminium plant in Europe. (Photo: Hydro)
After announcing its goals in early 2024, Hydro initiated a competitive process to select a plasma technology partner. After an exhaustive process, PyroGenesis was selected by Hydro to undertake this major initiative. The potential for this contract was previously mentioned in the outlook section of PyroGenesis’ Q3 2024 earnings news release, which listed a tendered bid underway for a global aluminum company, whose name was kept confidential at the time.
“Hydro is not just one of the largest aluminum companies in the world, but it is also one of the few companies that others in the industry look to for guidance and inspiration. We are proud to be partnering with a leader who is committed to decarbonizing and achieving net zero CO2 emissions in the entire aluminum value chain,” noted P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “Our torch capabilities are the reason PyroGenesis is increasingly becoming the go-to plasma solution company for the biggest and most influential names in heavy industry as they seek solutions to meet their global energy transition and decarbonization strategies. As noted in our recent press release dated February 10, 2024, recent results have confirmed that a solid business case can be made to transition to all-electric PyroGenesis plasma torches from an energy savings perspective alone, and any positive environmental impact (such as CO2 reduction) would be just icing on the cake. In addition, with the reduced energy requirement as a result of using PyroGenesis torches, companies can now contemplate building smaller furnaces (for the same capacity), reducing costs further for the same project. Last but not least, the reduced aluminum melting time means companies can raise production levels, generating higher and faster output. Increasing production rates by up to
The contract with Hydro is for the engineering, design, manufacturing, and delivery of a PyroGenesis plasma torch system and related peripheral components that will be used to replace existing natural gas-powered furnace burners in an aluminum casthouse furnace. The project will be one of the first in the world to use plasma to melt aluminum on an industrial scale, and will measure energy consumption, melting rate, aluminum quality, and production output among other data.
Hydro expects this project, if successful, to pave the way for decarbonization of casthouse operations on a larger scale, stating that the global potential for reducing emissions from aluminum casthouses and recyclers is in the neighborhood of 11 million tonnes of CO2.ii
Hydro is a Norway-based aluminum and renewable energy company founded in 1905, that is often considered one of the most respected and influential leaders in heavy industry, with 32,000 employees across operations in 42 countries. Since entering the aluminium business in the 1960s, Hydro has become one of the largest aluminum producers in the world. The company posted 2024 revenues of US
PyroGenesis’ development of plasma torches for use in high temperature industrial processes is part of its three-vertical solution ecosystem that aligns with economic drivers that are key to global heavy industry. Plasma torches for use in aluminum casthouse furnaces are part of PyroGenesis’ Energy Transition and Emission Reduction vertical, where fuel switching to PyroGenesis’ electric-powered plasma torches helps heavy industry reduce energy costs, fossil fuel use, and emissions. The other verticals are Waste Remediation and Commodity Security and Optimization.
About PyroGenesis Inc.
PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY).
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under “Risk Factors” in PyroGenesis’ latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities, all of which are available under PyroGenesis’ profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
For further information please contact:
Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BD
E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com
http://www.pyrogenesis.com
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i https://www.hydro.com/en/global/about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/europe/norway/sunndal/
Photos accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25915607-27b0-406e-a168-c8bc7b385a19
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a6909a3-8343-40be-ae36-c32d24e24352
FAQ
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