Wienerberger continues to green its production in Hungary by using hydrogen

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 07. 17. 11:15

Wienerberger Zrt., which is considered pioneering and unique in the ceramics industry, carried out an industrial-scale experiment in its factory in Tiszavasvár. In accordance with its climate neutrality plans, the company intends to make its production processes completely carbon neutral within 30 years, including by using hydrogen. To this end, the company entered into a long-term cooperation with the specialists of the University of Miskolc. The primary goal of their joint project is to gradually replace the fuel used during production processes by mixing green hydrogen in brick and tile factories, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

In 2023, Wienerberger Zrt. launched its special hydrogen combustion pilot project with experts from the University of Miskolc. As a result of the cooperation, the project implemented in the Tiszavasvár brick factory is considered pioneering and unique in the ceramics industry. The company’s ambitious goal is to reduce CO2 emissions in both the drying and firing steps of brick production in the long term and gradually replace natural gas.

The first phase of the pilot project was completed in April 2024. In preparation for the work, new safety equipment, a bypass pipe branch for mixing natural gas and hydrogen, and a control system were built in the plant. Hydrogen was obtained from tankers. During the test operation, the safety technical elements worked well, and it was possible to replace 25% of the natural gas used for combustion with hydrogen, and the quality inspectors did not notice any changes or deterioration in the quality of the finished products.