Cleveland-Cliffs is leading the way in decarbonization. We are the largest intended federal decarbonization award recipient in U.S. history through two projects selected for award negotiations in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Learn more about the Hydrogen-Ready Direct Reduced Iron Plant and Electric Melting Furnace Installation at Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works in Middletown, OH.
Hydrogen-Ready Direct Reduced Iron Plant and Electric Melting Furnace Installation
Cleveland-Cliffs plans to install a hydrogen-ready flex-fuel Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant and two electric melting furnaces at the Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works facility in Ohio. This project would reduce an estimated 1 million tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year. This project plans to demonstrate hydrogen-based ironmaking technology while replacing one of Cleveland-Cliffs’ seven operating blast furnaces and enabling Cleveland-Cliffs to further decarbonize rolled steel products for its customers in the U.S. automotive industry, thereby helping to decarbonize the automotive industry’s supply chain.
Industrial Demonstrations Program
This project is being conducted with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). Through the Industrial Demonstrations Program, DOE aims to accelerate decarbonization projects in energy-intensive industries and provide American manufacturers a competitive advantage in the race to lead the world in low- and net-zero carbon emissions manufacturing. The Industrial Demonstrations Program includes new, emerging technologies that aim to help produce clean steel, cement, chemicals, and other materials used in our nation’s roads, bridges, transmission lines, electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and everyday lives, which in turn, benefit every American.
Community Benefits
Cleveland-Cliffs plans to engage community and labor stakeholders during the project and develop plans for workforce development, quality jobs, maximizing project benefits, and minimizing or mitigating any potential negative impacts. These commitments will be updated at the end of each phase to reflect key learnings and developments as the project advances.
- Creating approximately 170 permanent jobs and up to 1,200 temporary union construction jobs while preserving the site’s existing 2,500 jobs—including 2,000 union workers represented by the International Association of Machinists Local 1943 and covered under the associated workforce agreements. Construction jobs will be covered under an existing National Maintenance Agreement with Building Trades Unions.
- Providing on-the-job training through paid apprenticeships, ensuring equitable access to these opportunities for local residents and residents of disadvantaged communities, and collaborating on workforce development activities with local building trades and other workforce stakeholders.
- Substantially reducing air emissions (including both criteria and hazardous air pollutants) and quantifying air quality impacts for any relevant air pollutants emitted (or expected to be emitted) from the project.
- Negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement or alternative community investment plan.
- Supporting the Justice40 initiative by completing a Justice40 Assessment and Implementation Strategy during each phase.
- Sharing project information publicly to support engagement, accountability, and transparency.
- Incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility goals into supplier outreach and procurement activities, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Project Interest
Companies interested in doing business and needing more information about the Middletown Works project, please fill out the information below and a company representative will follow-up with you.
Cleveland-Cliffs Project Interest Form