RIFT chooses port of Rotterdam for the development of circular iron fuel

Technology company RIFT has selected the port of Rotterdam as the site for the development of a commercial production facility for circular iron fuel. To enable this, a reservation agreement has been signed for a plot at the Margriethaven on the Maasvlakte, with the Port of Rotterdam Authority making a greenfield location available for the next phase of the project.

In the electrified production facility, iron oxide (rust) is converted into circular iron fuel using hydrogen with a low CO₂ footprint. This fuel can be used by industrial clients to generate heat and steam, without direct CO₂ emissions at the point of use. The spent fuel is then reprocessed centrally. RIFT is a technology‑scale-up developing this technology specifically for industrial heat processes that are challenging to make sustainable through electrification alone.

This project is part of the LAUNCH₂ initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition of innovative hydrogen applications of this kind from the development stage to large-scale deployment in the region.

RIFT sees Rotterdam as a suitable location to move from development to implementation. According to RIFT CEO Mark Verhagen, ‘Rotterdam brings together essential elements: access to hydrogen, industrial demand and a strong network of partners. Building on the support of InnovationQuarter, we are connecting production, infrastructure and application here and taking the next step towards realisation.’

Over the coming period, RIFT and the Port of Rotterdam Authority will work together on the further refinement and integration of the facility. RIFT expects the production facility to become operational around 2031.

Read more: RIFT - Iron Fuel Technology built for impact