Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe has postponed the planned start of its flagship direct reduced iron (DRI) project in Duisburg, Germany, from 2027 to 2029, according to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM).

The two-year delay pushes back the point at which the project is expected to contribute to steelmaking decarbonization. It also illustrates the challenges European steelmakers face in advancing hydrogen-based production routes, where financing, policy and infrastructure can affect project schedules. The specific reasons for this delay were not given in the report.

For businesses considering the project in their planning, the revised date shifts the expected timeline for DRI availability. The wider effect will depend on how the project progresses and whether the new schedule holds. Further company announcements on construction and start-up plans will be important to follow.