Coolbrook, a technology firm focused on heavy‑industry decarbonisation, has received €2.5 million in research‑and‑development funding from Business Finland. The grant backs Coolbrook’s €5 million scope within the FutSteel project—a core element of the Sustainable World through Steels ecosystem led by SSAB—and is aimed at accelerating the rollout of its next‑generation RotoDynamic Heater™ (RDH™) for steelmaking.
Business Finland Funding Supports Coolbrook’s RDH™ Development
The Business Finland award covers half of Coolbrook’s €5 million contribution to FutSteel. The funding will be used for advanced process modelling, equipment procurement, and intellectual‑property activities needed to adapt RDH™ technology to high‑temperature steel processes. Coolbrook plans to integrate the heater into blast‑furnace operations, electrified reheating, hot‑stove air pre‑heating, hybrid‑heating concepts, decarbonised Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production, and hydrogen‑based steelmaking.
CEO Joonas Rauramo called the grant “a significant endorsement of our RotoDynamic technology and its role in clean energy transition.” He noted that Coolbrook has already demonstrated commercial‑scale RDH™ deployment in the cement sector with Ambuja Cement (Adani Group) and now seeks to replicate that success in steel.
FutSteel Project Context and SSAB Collaboration
FutSteel, coordinated by SSAB, brings together multiple technology providers to create a low‑carbon steel value chain. Within this ecosystem, Coolbrook’s RDH™ is positioned as a carbon‑free heating solution capable of reaching temperatures up to 1 700 °C without operational CO₂ emissions.
Process Development Manager Jarmo Lilja of SSAB said the company “sees great potential in Coolbrook’s RotoDynamic Heater technology to support the electrification of high‑temperature steelmaking processes.” The collaboration is intended to fast‑track the deployment of RDH™ in one of the world’s most carbon‑intensive industries.
Market Relevance for Energy Executives and Grid Operators
The steel sector accounts for a substantial share of industrial electricity demand and CO₂ emissions. By replacing fossil‑fuel burners with electrically powered RDH™ units, utilities could see higher load factors and new demand response opportunities, while steel producers gain a pathway to meet tightening emissions regulations. The grant aligns with Business Finland’s objective of strengthening Finnish industrial competitiveness and exporting green technologies, suggesting potential export opportunities for the RDH™ system.
Key Takeaways
- Business Finland awarded Coolbrook €2.5 million in grant funding, covering 50 % of its €5 million FutSteel project budget.
- The funding will accelerate development of RDH™ technology for multiple steelmaking stages, including blast furnace and hydrogen‑based production.
- Coolbrook has already commercialised RDH™ in the cement industry with Ambuja Cement and now aims to apply the same zero‑CO₂ heating to steel.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The grant underscores growing public‑sector support for electrified high‑temperature processes in heavy industry. While the technology’s commercial viability in steel remains to be proven at scale, the partnership with SSAB and the FutSteel ecosystem provides a clear pathway for pilot deployments. Energy executives should monitor upcoming pilot results and assess how the additional load from RDH™ units could be integrated into existing grid planning and renewable‑energy procurement strategies.
Source: Businesswire
