Salzgitter Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based Binding Solutions Ltd (BSL) to trial BSL’s cold agglomerated pellets (CAPs) for both blast furnace (BF) and direct reduction (DR) applications.
The trials aim to evaluate the potential of BSL’s technology to complement Salzgitter’s in-house ore processing within the SALCOS – Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking program. Tests will be conducted across multiple Salzgitter facilities, including the 2,500 kg/day μDRAL pilot plant, the world’s first DR unit in an integrated steel mill capable of running on hydrogen and natural gas. Additional trials will take place at other sites for blast furnace applications.
BSL’s CAPs, produced at its advanced Technology Centre in Teesside, UK, will be made from various ore types and shipped to Germany for testing. These patented pellets are designed to replace traditional sinter and indurated materials in BFs and DR plants, offering up to 80pct lower energy use and 70pct reduction in CO2 emissions, alongside notable economic and operational advantages.
