Molten Industries, in collaboration with United States Steel Corporation and CPFD Software, has secured $5.4 million in funding to pilot the use of methane pyrolysis-driven hydrogen for sustainable steel production. The project involves designing, building, and testing a pilot system that will supply a direct reduced iron (DRI) shaft furnace at Molten's facility. By utilizing renewable electricity to break down methane into hydrogen and solid graphite, the approach boasts a 75% reduction in energy intensity compared to electrolysis. US Steel will contribute iron ore for the project, aiming to showcase clean steel production using hydrogen-based DRI in an electric arc furnace. The initiative, funded by the US Department of Energy, underscores a commitment to industrial efficiency and decarbonization. With the potential to eliminate a significant amount of CO2 emissions in US crude steel production, the project signals a shift towards sustainable practices in the steel industry. Molten Industries' CEO, Kevin Bush, expressed confidence in the process, emphasizing the energy and cost-saving benefits for steel manufacturers. Additionally, the broader green steel industry in the US is receiving a $1 billion boost through the Inflation Reduction Act, facilitating the development of hydrogen DRI plants by companies like SSAB and Cleveland Cliffs. These investments mark a pivotal moment in advancing clean and carbon-neutral steel production in the country.