The availability of green hydrogen, the adoption of green technologies, and the establishment of a circular economy hold paramount importance for Duisburg, the leading steel, port, and logistics hub.
This metropolis, nestled between the Rhine and Ruhr rivers and home to half a million people, stands as a pivotal international showcase for whether the green transformation of the industry is feasible. In this enterprise, Duisburg Business & Innovation (DBI)'s economic developers, led by Prof. Dr. Rasmus C. Beck, are forging robust networks on local, national, and international levels with a focus on hydrogen and circular economy initiatives
Engaging with businesses, academia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and governmental bodies, DBI is on a quest to identify and adopt the globe's most effective strategies in green hydrogen, renewable energy, and circular economies.
Why is the transition to green energy indispensable for the Rhine-Ruhr region? Duisburg aspires to transform into a 'hydrogen hotspot' and the epicentre of the new green revolution, shifting from being a part of the environmental dilemma to becoming a key component of the solution. At its Duisburg facility alone, with a workforce of 13,000, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe contributes to 2.5 percent of Germany's total CO2 emissions.
The company's transition from coke-powered blast furnaces to direct reduction plants, where iron ore is reduced using low-carbon hydrogen, is set to make its annual production of approximately eleven million tons of steel climate-neutral by 2045.
To maintain its stature as Europe's premier industrial and logistics centre, the Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr e.V. network is spearheading the rapid deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as hydrogen-driven industrial processes, aiming to catalyse a green hydrogen economy.
The state government also reiterates its commitment to transforming North Rhine-Westphalia into Europe's inaugural climate-neutral industrial region.
Duisburg's exceptional foundation in research, industry, and logistics positions it optimally for success. Prof. Dr. Rasmus C. Beck remarks, "Creating a hydrogen model region gives us a competitive edge, positioning Duisburg as a catalyst for the economic transformation.
The circular economy's core principle dictates that all materials and resources remain in a closed loop, effectively eliminating waste. Yet, as the demand for raw materials escalates amidst dwindling supplies, efficient circular systems and high-quality recycling practices are not yet universally established in Duisburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region. The objective is the sustainable utilization of resources. Circular Rhein.Ruhr, a network championing circular economy practices, is poised to revolutionize the industries along the Rhine and Ruhr rivers sustainably.