European Hyperloop Center takes next step toward reality with hyperloop tube steel production
The innovation center has partnered with Tata Steel Nederland (TSN), Korean POSCO, and Hardt Hyperloop to provide hyperloop-specialized steel to build the test facility infrastructure in the Netherlands.
Marking a major milestone in hyperloop realization, steel developed specifically for use in hyperloop tubes at the forthcoming European Hyperloop Center – set to break ground later this year in Veendam, the Netherlands – has begun and is being prepared for assembly later this year. Steel production at Tata Steel Nederland and POSCO is underway, and orders are set to begin shipment this month. The steel manufacturers will supply additional quantities of the hyperloop-specific steel alloy through to 2025 for additional sections, in addition to steel for the installation of magnetic tracks in 2023.
Marinus van der Meijs, Hardt Hyperloop Co-Founder, said: “This is a major milestone in our development plans as we move toward the realization of our high-speed testing capabilities. Tata Steel and POSCO have been valuable partners to us throughout this planning and development process, and we hope to continue this partnership as we complete the European Hyperloop Center and prove hyperloop technology to the mobility community.”
Hyperloop tube materials must be uniquely formulated in order to withstand the daily use of hyperloop technology. As such, Tata Steel and POSCO have participated in research project over the last two years to develop steel exclusively made for hyperloop construction through their partnership with Hardt. This specialized alloy will increase the stability of hyperloop infrastructure through its ability to better absorb vibration and reduce potential resonance from the hyperloop pods. Huib Simon, Head of Engineering marketing TSN: “We are proud to take the next step in our partnership with Hardt by supplying our innovative steel products. Further development of materials and tube designs is ongoing, by which we actively contribute to realize this future sustainable transport method.”
Stefan Marges, Director of the European Hyperloop Center, said: “This moment marks the start of the realization phase of the test and demonstration facility in Veendam, Groningen. It is crucial to move as quickly as possible to open the facility to test key elements of hyperloop technology and demonstrate their robust, reliable, and safe operations.”
The steel tubes are planned for production and assembly through to the end of this year and into 2023. The European Hyperloop Center is a project of the Hyperloop Development Program, a public-private partnership between the Dutch Ministries of Economics & Climate and Infrastructure & Water Management, the Dutch Province of Groningen and a group of industry parties and knowledge and research institutions, dedicated to developing hyperloop transportation.
About the European Hyperloop Center
The European Hyperloop Center (EHC) is a not-for-profit open innovation center, located in Groningen – the Netherlands, to accelerate the hyperloop development. Founded in 2020, the EHC is a public-private initiative by the Province of Groningen, the City of Groningen and Hardt Hyperloop. EHC is part of the Hyperloop Development Program, a public-private partnership between the Dutch Ministries of Economics & Climate and Infrastructure & Water Management, the Province of Groningen and a group of industry parties and knowledge and research institutions, dedicated to developing hyperloop as a safe, sustainable, and commercially viable mode of high-speed transportation and to bring the hyperloop to commercialization.
For more information: European Hyperloop Center website.
About Hardt Hyperloop
Hardt Hyperloop is the European hyperloop technology provider, headquartered in the Netherlands. Backed by an investment from the European Commission, Hardt is paving the way to certify hyperloop and realize the global hyperloop network. Hardt has demonstrated their full-scale hyperloop technology at low speeds and is now constructing the European Hyperloop Center, an open test and demonstration facility for hyperloop technology capable of demonstrating high-speed network operations, to define the open interoperable hyperloop standard. Hardt is founding partner in the Hyperloop Development Program, a public-private partnership supported by the Dutch government with 25+ partners, including other hyperloop developers. Hardt also realized the first European full-scale hyperloop test facility and is the only company worldwide that has developed hyperloop lane switching technology, crucial for implementing a hyperloop network.
For more information: Hardt Website.
About Tata Steel Nederland
Tata Steel Nederland is one of Europe’s leading steel producers. The company supplies high-quality steel products to the most demanding markets, including construction, automotive, packaging and engineering. Tata Steel Nederland works with customers to develop new steel products that give them a competitive edge. Tata Steel Nederland has sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and elsewhere in Europe and is part of the Indian Tata Steel Group, one of the world’s largest steel companies. Tata Steel Nederland recorded a turnover of 6.9 billion euros in the financial year ending 31 March, 2022. Tata Steel Nederland is working on producing steel with zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will do so by switching to producing steel by using hydrogen instead of coal.
About POSCO
POSCO is a South Korean steel company established in 1968. POSCO is currently the world's sixth-largest steel company by producing 38 million tons per year and 29.5 billion euros in the financial year as of 2021, and it produces globally competitive steel in all steel-related fields such as mobility, construction, and eco-friendly energy steel. POSCO was selected as a lighthouse factory at the WEF (World Economic Forum) based on smart factory technology in 2019, and has been selected as the world's most competitive steel company by WSD (World Steel Dynamics) for 12 consecutive years in 2021. POSCO declared the goal of “2050 carbon neutrality” and is conducting research and development to achieve it. Especially, POSCO is developing HyREX (Hydrogen Reduction), a hydrogen-reduced iron-making method, and plans to gradually convert the furnace facilities into hydrogen-reduced steel by 2050.
