Latest news with #EAFs


Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
TDK Ventures Invests in Tulum Energy to Advance Scalable Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced today that subsidiary TDK Ventures, Inc. has co-led the $27 million seed round of Tulum Energy, a pioneering startup producing clean hydrogen solutions for industrial applications through methane pyrolysis (aka: turquoise hydrogen) and by repurposing the designs of already mature industrial equipment. TDK Ventures' investment will be used to accelerate the development of Tulum's innovative clean hydrogen production technology, which leverages commercially available electric-arc plasma reactor technology to achieve cost parity with traditional hydrogen production methods, while also significantly reducing carbon emissions. With support from TDK Ventures and additional co-investment partners, Tulum expects to reach commercial operations directly following the first pilot and achieve hydrogen production costs matching or beating fossil fuel-based alternatives without relying on incentives or the sale of the potentially valuable carbon co-product. Tulum, based in Milan, Italy, has been spun out of Techint Group, a global leader in steel, engineering, and energy. Tulum aims to commercialize a unique and scalable approach to hydrogen production, utilizing proven electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, commonly used in steel production at capacities of over 100 megawatts, in a novel configuration for producing hydrogen. With deep technical backing from Tenova, Techint's subsidiary that produces EAFs, Tulum is positioned to deliver hydrogen at levelized costs comparable to conventional grey hydrogen, while achieving up to 95% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions. 'Tulum's innovative reactor could be a game-changer in geographies where green hydrogen is cost-prohibitive or logistically infeasible,' said Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures. 'Their technology offers superior energy efficiency, smaller land footprint, and compelling economics that meet the immediate needs of heavy industry. By harnessing the potential of turquoise hydrogen, Tulum is well positioned to decarbonize heavy industry and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.' Tulum's unique approach to hydrogen generation is designed to overcome the high costs and infrastructure challenges currently faced by alternative clean hydrogen solutions such as green-hydrogen. Key advantages of its technology include: High efficiency: A projected energy requirement approximately five times more efficient than the best green hydrogen methods Scalability: By repurposing EAF technology that is already widely used at way above 100 MW capacity (i.e. the anticipated power capacity of a full size Tulum commercial plant reactor), Tulum can meet the massive scale of today's existing users of hydrogen such as steel producers, chemical plants, and refineries (in the range of 20 to 200 tons/day and above) Cost competitiveness: Anticipated levelized production costs on par with grey hydrogen and significantly more competitive than other sustainable hydrogen production pathways, even without subsidies or the sale of the valuable carbon co-product Non-catalytic technology: The electric arc is a high-temperature heat source that allows the methane pyrolysis reaction to occur without the technical and operational hurdles that catalytic solutions entail Reduced footprint: Tulum's plants require eight times less land than green hydrogen facilities, enabling on-site production and reducing transportation costs Tulum is led by CEO and Co-founder Massimiliano Pieri, formerly CEO of M2X Energy and an executive at Eni Next, along with CTO Donald Kendrick, previously CTO at methane-pyrolysis company Ekona. Together, they possess valuable expertise in developing and scaling energy technologies. 'We are thrilled to partner with TDK Ventures, whose global reach and technical expertise will be invaluable as we move to pilot and commercial scale,' said Pieri. 'Their investment and belief in us are an equal win for both of our companies. Along with their financial investment comes its famous 'TDK Goodness,' which provides access to various strategic synergies across TDK's power electronics and materials businesses. Similarly, Tulum has the very real potential of expanding TDK's impact in decarbonization, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.' The proceeds from this oversubscribed Seed round will be strategically deployed to construct Tulum Energy's inaugural pilot plant in Pesquería, Mexico, located within the industrial complex of Ternium, Latin America's leading steel company and a part of the Techint Group. About TDK Corporation TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads, software and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics, and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2025, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.4 billion and employed about 105,000 people worldwide. About TDK Ventures TDK Ventures Inc. invests in startups to bolster innovation in materials science, energy/power and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios. Established in 2019 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDK Corporation, the corporate venture company's vision is to propel the digital and energy transformations of segments such as robotics and industrial, next-generation transportation, mixed reality and the wider IoT/IIoT markets. TDK Ventures will co-invest and support promising portfolio companies by providing technical expertise and access to global markets where TDK operates. Interested startups or investment partners may contact TDK Ventures: or contact@ About Tulum Tulum Energy is a leading climate-tech startup pioneering advanced methane pyrolysis technology for clean hydrogen production in heavy industrial applications. Built by TechEnergy Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of the Techint Group's Energy Transition Division, the company is dedicated to providing a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to conventional hydrogen production. Tulum Energy is committed to helping industries decarbonize while simultaneously unlocking new value through the commercialization of valuable solid carbon co-products.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nucor Corporation (NUE): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Nucor Corporation (NUE) on Business Model Mastery's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on NUE. Nucor Corporation (NUE)'s share was trading at $108.94 as of 29th May. NUE's trailing and forward P/E were 19.20 and 14.14 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A steel rod, bent and contoured to the exact specifications of the company. Nucor stands out as a vertically integrated steel producer operating through three synergistic segments—steel mills, steel products, and raw materials—underpinned by its control of critical inputs, including 3.5 million metric tons of direct reduced iron (DRI) and 18 million tons of recycled scrap annually. This integration enables tight cost control and reliable supply chains. The company's strategic focus on high-value products like insulated panels, overhead doors, and custom racking systems has driven meaningful margin expansion, further bolstered by premium-branded offerings such as ECONIQ™ and AEOS™, which meet growing demand in low-carbon and seismic-resistant construction markets. Nucor's operational flexibility is a core strength, with nearly all production relying on electric arc furnaces (EAFs) that offer rapid scalability and deliver 60–70% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces. Its micro mill strategy and regional footprint enhance both cost efficiency and environmental performance. The company's unique decentralized culture, with just 200 employees at headquarters overseeing over 32,000 teammates, empowers plant-level decision-making and incentivizes performance, driving innovation and responsiveness. This structure supports its aggressive capex-driven growth strategy—$11.8 billion deployed over the past three years, with 63% allocated to capacity expansion and 37% to acquisitions. These investments target fast-growing sectors such as data centers, renewable energy, and automated warehousing, positioning Nucor for long-term structural advantage. The company's integrated model, flexible operations, and disciplined capital deployment collectively support a compelling narrative of margin growth, sustainable production leadership, and strategic evolution in key demand verticals. For a comprehensive analysis of another standout stock covered by the same author, we recommend reading our summary of their of Sanofi (SNY). Since our coverage, the stock is up 4.7%. Nucor Corporation (NUE) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 51 hedge fund portfolios held NUE at the end of the first quarter which was 50 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of NUE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


eNCA
20-05-2025
- Business
- eNCA
India steel plans threaten global emissions goals: report
BANGKOK - India's plans to massively expand coal-based steel and iron production threaten global efforts to reduce the sector's carbon emissions, a key contributor to climate change, a report said on Tuesday. The sector accounts for 11 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and India aims to double production by 2030. Switching from coal-dependent blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAFs), which produce significantly fewer emissions, could reduce that figure. EAF production is projected to make up 36 percent of the sector by 2030, but that falls short of the 37 percent the International Energy Agency (IEA) says is needed to stay on track for net-zero by 2050. "The only realistic way to meet that 37 percent goal is with a change of plans from India," said Astrid Grigsby-Schulte from the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) think tank. That seemingly marginal one-percent difference "represents tens of millions of tonnes of CO2 generation", Grigsby-Schulte told AFP. EAFs generally rely on melting scrap steel, a process that does not use coal. They produce significantly fewer emissions, even when they rely on electricity from coal-dependent grids. Meeting the 2030 target is "critical", she said, "not only because of emissions immediately avoided, but also because it means we are laying the necessary groundwork for broader decarbonisation by 2050." China currently dominates global steel production, but its sector is stagnant. Meanwhile, India, which targets carbon neutrality only by 2070, plans to massively expand domestic capacity. And the majority of India's announced steel development plans involve higher-emissions blast furnace production, in a country whose steel industry is already the world's most carbon intensive. However, there is a growing gap between India's steel capacity plans and actual developments on the ground, GEM said. Just 12 percent of its announced new capacity has come online since the country released its 2017 National Steel Policy. The comparable figure for China is 80 percent, GEM said. That suggests India's "ambitious growth plans are more talk than action thus far," the group added. And it "leaves a huge percentage of their development plans that could still shift to lower-emissions technologies," added Grigsby-Schulte. Demand for steel is continuing to grow, and the iron and steel industry is expected to be one of the last to continue using coal in the IEA's 2050 net-zero pathway. The organisation has warned that the sector needs to "accelerate significantly" to meet 2050 targets, including with innovative production methods that are currently in their infancy.


France 24
20-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
India steel plans threaten global emissions goals: report
The majority of India's announced steel development plans involve higher-emissions blast furnace production, in a country whose steel industry is already the world's most carbon intensive The sector accounts for 11 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and India aims to double production by 2030. Switching from coal-dependent blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAFs), which produce significantly fewer emissions, could reduce that figure. EAF production is projected to make up 36 percent of the sector by 2030, but that falls short of the 37 percent the International Energy Agency (IEA) says is needed to stay on track for net-zero by 2050. "The only realistic way to meet that 37 percent goal is with a change of plans from India," said Astrid Grigsby-Schulte from the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) think tank. That seemingly marginal one-percent difference "represents tens of millions of tonnes of CO2 generation", Grigsby-Schulte told AFP. EAFs generally rely on melting scrap steel, a process that does not use coal. They produce significantly fewer emissions, even when they rely on electricity from coal-dependent grids. Meeting the 2030 target is "critical", she said, "not only because of emissions immediately avoided, but also because it means we are laying the necessary groundwork for broader decarbonisation by 2050." China currently dominates global steel production, but its sector is stagnant. Meanwhile India, which targets carbon neutrality only by 2070, plans to massively expand domestic capacity. Steel production techniques © John SAEKI / AFP And the majority of India's announced steel development plans involve higher-emissions blast furnace production, in a country whose steel industry is already the world's most carbon intensive. However, there is a growing gap between India's steel capacity plans and actual developments on the ground, GEM said. Just 12 percent of its announced new capacity has come online since the country released its 2017 National Steel Policy. The comparable figure for China is 80 percent, GEM said. That suggests India's "ambitious growth plans are more talk than action thus far," the group added. And it "leaves a huge percentage of their development plans that could still shift to lower-emissions technologies," added Grigsby-Schulte. Demand for steel is continuing to grow, and the iron and steel industry is expected to be one of the last to continue using coal in the IEA's 2050 net-zero pathway. The organisation has warned that the sector needs to "accelerate significantly" to meet 2050 targets, including with innovative production methods that are currently in their infancy. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India steel plans threaten global emissions goals: report
India's plans to massively expand coal-based steel and iron production threaten global efforts to reduce the sector's carbon emissions, a key contributor to climate change, a report said Tuesday. The sector accounts for 11 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and India aims to double production by 2030. Switching from coal-dependent blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAFs), which produce significantly fewer emissions, could reduce that figure. EAF production is projected to make up 36 percent of the sector by 2030, but that falls short of the 37 percent the International Energy Agency (IEA) says is needed to stay on track for net-zero by 2050. "The only realistic way to meet that 37 percent goal is with a change of plans from India," said Astrid Grigsby-Schulte from the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) think tank. That seemingly marginal one-percent difference "represents tens of millions of tonnes of CO2 generation", Grigsby-Schulte told AFP. EAFs generally rely on melting scrap steel, a process that does not use coal. They produce significantly fewer emissions, even when they rely on electricity from coal-dependent grids. Meeting the 2030 target is "critical", she said, "not only because of emissions immediately avoided, but also because it means we are laying the necessary groundwork for broader decarbonisation by 2050." China currently dominates global steel production, but its sector is stagnant. Meanwhile India, which targets carbon neutrality only by 2070, plans to massively expand domestic capacity. And the majority of India's announced steel development plans involve higher-emissions blast furnace production, in a country whose steel industry is already the world's most carbon intensive. However, there is a growing gap between India's steel capacity plans and actual developments on the ground, GEM said. Just 12 percent of its announced new capacity has come online since the country released its 2017 National Steel Policy. The comparable figure for China is 80 percent, GEM said. That suggests India's "ambitious growth plans are more talk than action thus far," the group added. And it "leaves a huge percentage of their development plans that could still shift to lower-emissions technologies," added Grigsby-Schulte. Demand for steel is continuing to grow, and the iron and steel industry is expected to be one of the last to continue using coal in the IEA's 2050 net-zero pathway. The organisation has warned that the sector needs to "accelerate significantly" to meet 2050 targets, including with innovative production methods that are currently in their infancy. sah/dhw/tym