Challenging the status-quo through developing local, decarbonized and scalable value chains for steel production.
Blastr Green Steel was established in 2021 with the aim of becoming an integrated green steel producer leveraging Nordic advantages. By utilising local raw materials and fossil free energy and applying a circular economy thinking throughout the value chain, we aim to cut the CO2 emissions of our end products by 95%.
The world needs steel - more than two billion tons per year of it. There will be no green shift without decarbonized steel.
The steel industry is ready for a green revolution. We will establish production facilities in the Nordic Region, with its ambitious political energy transition agenda, deep ice-free ports giving access to the attractive European markets, and highly qualified workforce.
The Blastr Green Steel project is expected to be one of the largest industry start-ups in the Nordic region.
"Blastr's planned project can cut an estimated 4.6Mt CO2 per annum. This corresponds to the amount of emissions created by all passenger cars in Finland annually. A highly industrialized country with more than 5,5 million inhabitants."
Most existing steelplants in the world today base their production on coke and coal used for energy supply and chemical reduction.
In the production of Blastr Green Steel, we will use local and renewable energy as basis for heating, reduction and melting.
CO2 costs are increasing rapidly, impacting production costs for conventional methods
The European green steel market is expected to skyrocket, with a shortfall of 50 Mt by 2050
By optimizing high quality iron ore concentrate and integrating the most energy intensive operations, Blastr will set a new standard for green steel production
Leveraging highly skilled Nordic workforce, access to fossil free energy, and short-distance raw materials, such as iron ore.
The Blastr Green Steel Project
Through our pre-feasibility studies, we have planned for a new, large and green industrial adventure, with priority to locate a pellet plant on the Norwegian Atlantic coast, and a steel plant on an industrial site in Finland. The plan entails the production of 2.5 million tons of high-quality steel on coils per year, mainly based on Nordic iron ore concentrates.
Blastr Green Steel will become one of the Nordics’ largest green industrial companies, with an estimated start of production in 2026. Before final investment decisions, extensive engineering will be carried out, which includes EIA – environmental impact assessments, and subject to necessary permits and licences.
In collaboration with the authorities, research and other stakeholders, analyses of the significant positive ripple effects and social consequences will be carried out.
We are backed by solid and competent owners in Vanir Green Industries, a Nordic investment company that invests in, develops and scales green, robust and profitable businesses needed to accelerate the energy transition. Vanir Green Industries is managed by a team of experienced professionals with deep industrial competence and a genuine drive to build a more sustainable future.
The European green steel market is expected to skyrocket.
Increasing demand of green steel - ex. the Car Industry
Push: CO2 regulations forcing the industry to become greener
Pull: Customers willing to pay small premium on total cost to significantly impact CO2 footprint
Circularity and synergies
Surplus energy is created in most industrial processes. We have identified the potential in surplus energy from our processes and aim to secure utilization of these in other processes, so that no energy is wasted.
Greenhouse production in the Nordics can require heating through the whole growing season, even during the summer.
Social responsibility & local value creation
We want to secure long-term cooperation to contribute to local and regional jobs, infrastructure improvements and other local improvement measures.
We cooperate with landowners, local organizations and municipalities regarding local development.
The people
Hans Fredrik Wittusen
CEO
Bachelor degrees in Economics and International Relations, Brown University
Comes from ten years as Director of Strategy and M&A at The Norsk Gjenvinning Group, developing and scaling circular economy value chains and executing more than 20 acquisitions and joint ventures. Prior to this spent 15 years in consulting and M&A advisory.
Dag Moxnes
Co-Founder and Senior Advisor
MSc Mechanical Engineering, NTNU
Experienced manager within the industrial engineering supplier industry. 18 years in different Nordic CEO positions within the German GEA Group. 7 years as Technical Director in Skala Prosessteknikk. 12 years in management positions in Alfa Laval in Norway and Sweden and positions as senior engineer in Norsk Hydro and in quality management in Raufoss Defence Products.
Antti Kaikkonen
Managing Director, Finland
MSc in Finance and Electrical Engineering
MSc in Finance and Electrical Engineering
18+ years of experience in leading large development projects for power-intensive industries in Finland with a strong focus on sustainability. Deep knowledge of the Nordic energy markets and power industry. Joins the team from leading energy company Fortum where he has been leading Industrial Electrification project department that focuses on developing and marketing scalable sites with strong access to CO2-free electricity.
Øyvind Engan
Project manager
MSc Metallurgy, NTNU
Has a very relevant background from the smelter industry. This includes many years of experience from operations, plant management and business development from Elkem Salten and Elkem Rana, as well as from other metallurgical industrial companies in Norway. He is living in Fauske and has an excellent knowledge from local and regional business and society.
Viktor Forss (joining 10th of April)
EVP Nordics
MSc Economics and Business Administration
BSc Electrical Technology, Electrical Power Engineering
Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of building up and running a successful business in the Nordics within the Renewable Energy sector. He has extensive experience of large windpower, hydropower, regional grid and industry related projects in the Nordics. He joins Blastr from VEO, where he has held MD positions for Sweden and Norway and last years served as VP for the Nordics. With this professional background combined with broad understanding of both Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian organizations and cultures, he has an excellent understanding of what is needed in order to execute large complex projects as well as to develop and build up successful organizations at a Nordic level. Viktor is part of the management team.
Mikael Lindvall
Chief Technology Officer
Ph.D. in Metallurgical Process Science
MSc in Chemical Engineering
Dr Mikael Lindvall joins Blastr from AFRY, where he has worked as iron and steel technology specialist and project manager in AFRY´s global competence line for mining and metal industry. He has more than 16 years working experience in the international metal industry and holds an industrial Ph.D. in Metallurgical Process Science from KTH Stockholm and a MSc in Chemical Engineering from Lulea University of Technology. His working experience also include working as an senior project manager in the project management office of SSAB, where one of his role was to manage prioritized areas as part of SSAB´s supporting activities towards the Hybrit initiative.
Sten Ångström
Principal Metallurgist
MSc in Metallurgical Engineering, the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm
Sten has over 40 years of experience in the steel industry in various positions at Swerim (former MEFOS), SSAB, OVAKO, DANIELI and Primetals (former SIEMENS-VAI), where he has focused primarily on steelmaking with emphasis on R&D, production, project development studies, investment projects, and commissioning work. As a metallurgical expert, Sten has insight from both equipment suppliers and steel plant operators regarding iron reduction, oxygen converters, electric arc furnaces, ladle metallurgy, and supporting systems. He will be developing the green steel plant in Inkoo evaluating the plant equipment and processes.
Franziska Ihlefeldt
Innovation project manager
MSc Chemistry, UIO
Has a background from international research within chemistry. Experience from the process industry and energy sector, last three years from ORS Consulting, specializing in risk and safety management. The last year as head of the department in Oslo. She will take lead in soft funding processes, as well as being the main contact towards research institutes.
Tore Ivar Slettemoen
Chairman
MSc Mechanical Engineering, NTNU
MBA, Northwestern University – Kellogg school of mngmt, 1991
Extensive experience in project development and execution in the oil and gas and renewables sector. Responsible for project financing, development, construction and operation for more than 1.000 MW of Norwegian Wind Power including Egersund and Bjerkreim Wind Farms. Founder of Freyr Clean Batteries.
Lars-Eric Aarö
Board member
MSc Mining Engineering, LTU
Mr. Lars-Eric Aaro has a long career in the international process industry with senior executive roles from LKAB, Boliden, Outokumpu and Epiroc. He is an honorary doctorate at Luleå University of Technology.
Olaf Wigstøl
Board member
MSc Mechanical Engineering, NTNU
BSc, Finance and Project Management, UIA, Norway)
14 years in different senior executive roles in Norsk Hydro in Norway, Germany and Qatar (Qatalum). 4 years as plant director at Alcan Sebree smelter in Kentucky, 9 years as managing director at Vigeland Metal Refinery Norway, and 11 years in different project management positions in the Oil&Gas industry in Norway and USA.
Anders Hærland
CEO Vanir Green Industries
MSc International relations
Extensive experience from innovation and business development; Project Director Batteries in Equinor, Head of Equinor Future Business. Investment Director, Equinor Energy Ventures.
Kris Gram
Partner and Investment Director Vanir Green Industries
MA Management St Andrews University
Comes from the role of CEO in ProCorp, a boutique investment bank. Previous experience from MD of family office, and 10 years with Pareto Securities where he was Partner and responsible for Metals and Mining globally. Long and varied experience from capital markets, leading ECM , DCM; M&A and IPO projects for clients worldwide.
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E-post: post@blastr.no
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