Hydra is an open research and innovation project led by RINA to decarbonize the steel making process through hydrogen-based technologies, authorised by the European Commission and backed by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. Funded through an €88M European Commission NextGenerationEU investment, the six-year Hydra initiative is part of the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) programme.

Located at RINA's Centro Sviluppo Materiali (CSM) in Castel Romano, Hydra will involve the design and construction of a pilot plant that will utilise hydrogen in every stage of the steel production cycle. The structure, scheduled for completion by 2025, will include a DRI (Direct Reduction Iron) tower using hydrogen as a reducing agent and an electric furnace. Once fully operational, the pilot plant will produce up to seven tonnes of steel per hour for research, with a significant reduction in carbon emissions.