Azerbaijan Metal Company (AzMC) has completed the bankable feasibility study (BFS) for its planned 2 mln tons per year hot briquetted iron (HBI) project in the Shamkir region, marking a key milestone in the development of Azerbaijan’s first large-scale HBI facility.
The study confirmed the technical and economic viability of the project, paving the way for the next phases of engineering and implementation. The plant is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2029.
The proposed facility is designed to produce high-quality HBI for regional and international steel markets, supporting growing demand for low-carbon metallics as steelmakers accelerate decarbonization efforts.
A key component of the project is the adoption of ENERGIRON Zero Reformer technology, jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli. According to the feasibility study, the technology offers high operational efficiency and lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions compared with conventional direct reduction processes.
AzMC said the project will help strengthen Azerbaijan’s industrial base and position the country as a regional supplier of premium metallic feedstock for the steel industry.
The completion of the feasibility study marks the start of the next development phase, including basic engineering work and preparation of the EPC framework for project execution.