Australia’s leading iron ore producers partner with BlueScope on steel decarbonisation
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Under a new framework agreement,
The collaboration provides a platform to develop and potentially invest in a pilot facility and aims to demonstrate that production of molten iron from Pilbara ores is feasible using renewable power when combined with Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) process technology. If successful, it could help open a potential pathway to near-zero greenhouse gas emission-intensity operations for steelmakers that rely on Australian iron ore to meet global steel demand.
The parties will assess several locations in
“We firmly believe the best way to tackle a challenge of this scale is through collaboration with industry and importantly this new agreement will leverage the more than two years of work we have already completed with BlueScope on this technology. This partnership will benefit from Rio Tinto’s and BHP’s unrivalled experience of Pilbara ores as well as the technical steelmaking capability and unique operating knowledge of BlueScope. We are excited to add this partnership to the suite of projects we have underway with our customers and suppliers to find better ways to accelerate their efforts to meet their decarbonisation targets.”
Incoming BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Asset President
“Combining our expertise, we hope to help fast track near-zero emission-intensity pathways for steelmakers using Pilbara ores. Technology pathways compatible with renewable energy and scalable to the order of hundreds of millions of tonnes of steel production would be a major step forward in setting up Pilbara ores, and the world, for a low greenhouse gas emission future.”
BlueScope Chief Executive Australia
“We believe DRI is the most prospective technology to decarbonise our Australian business, and the development of ESF technology is key to unlocking Australia’s unique advantages in this decarbonisation journey – and, more importantly, has the potential for wider adaptation across the global steel industry. We believe that this collaboration where we can contribute BlueScope’s unique experience in operating an ESF will be key to cracking the code for Pilbara ores in low emission-intensity ironmaking.”
[1] Also known in the industry as an ‘electric melter’
Notes to editors
Pilot Electric Smelting Facility
A pilot facility would be intended to test and optimise production of iron from the ESF, a type of furnace being developed by leading steel producers and technology companies targeting low CO2 emission-intensity steel. The ESF is capable of producing iron suitable for the basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) process. Iron ore is first converted to direct reduced iron (DRI) before being charged into the ESF. Together, the DRI-ESF equipment can replace the blast furnace, eliminating the need for metallurgical coal. Estimates show that reductions of more than 80 per cent in CO2 emission intensity are potentially achievable processing Pilbara iron ores through a DRI-ESF pathway, compared with the current industry average for the conventional blast furnace steel route.
Other lower CO2 emission-intensity production routes, such as electric arc furnaces, require scrap steel and DRI produced from high grade iron ores. The ESF allows for greater flexibility in input raw materials, addressing one of the key barriers to wider adoption of low carbon emissions technology. The ESF also has the potential to be integrated into a steel plant’s existing downstream production units.
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BlueScope
M +61437 862 472
E Michael.Reay@bluescope.com
BHP
M +61413391031
E jimmy.clothier@bhp.com
M +61436653412
E media.enquiries@riotinto.com
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