A major milestone in the development of Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction technology – Metix completes the first hydrogen hot commissioning run on HPSR Furnace
Metix has successfully completed the first hydrogen hot commissioning run on its 100kVA containerised Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction (HPSR) furnace, marking a significant step forward in the practical development of this pioneering metallurgical technology.
This commissioning run represents the first smelting operation in which hydrogen was used as the primary reductant on the Metix HPSR platform. Conducted under real operating conditions, the run validated the furnace’s core design philosophy, control systems, and operating procedures when subjected to hydrogen-based plasma reduction. Importantly, it confirms that hydrogen plasma smelting reduction is not merely a laboratory concept, but a process that can be executed reliably on engineered industrial equipment.
The 100kVA containerised unit has been specifically designed and built by Metix as a dedicated research, development, and demonstration platform for hydrogen-based smelting technologies. Its modular, containerised configuration provides a high degree of operational flexibility—allowing the furnace to be deployed, tested, modified, and relocated as required to support evolving development objectives.
This platform enables Metix to systematically explore a wide range of process parameters, feed materials, operating regimes, and furnace configurations, generating critical performance data under controlled yet industrially relevant conditions. Each successive smelting campaign builds on the insights gained from previous runs, progressively increasing confidence in the process and moving the technology toward higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). In doing so, the platform plays a key role in de‑risking future scale-up and commercial deployment.
Through its investment in HPSR, Metix is positioning itself at the forefront of hydrogen-enabled pyrometallurgy, with in-house capability spanning conceptual development, detailed engineering, testing, and ultimately commercialisation. This capability strengthens Metix’ role as a technology partner for clients seeking credible pathways toward the decarbonisation of the global steel value chain.
“This is an exciting milestone for Metix and for the broader development of green ironmaking technology. Completing the first hydrogen hot commissioning run confirms that the process works as designed and provides the platform we need to accelerate development toward commercial application.” — Stephan Louw, Process Manager, Metix.
