Fortescue has signed a technology development agreement with China’s Taiyuan Iron and Steel (TISCO), a Baowu Steel subsidiary, to jointly explore next-generation low-carbon metallurgical processes aimed at accelerating steel sector decarbonisation.
Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on an industrial trial of hydrogen-based, plasma-enhanced iron and steel metallurgy, an emerging technology that could enable a more compact, energy-efficient, hydrogen-enabled ironmaking route. The process has the potential to eliminate traditional steps such as sintering, pelletizing, and coking, while offering Fortescue a new low-carbon pathway compatible with its Pilbara iron ore.
The partnership covers the design, construction, and operation of a pilot test line capable of producing up to 5,000 tons of molten iron per year. Fortescue will fund the development program and establish a joint technical committee with TISCO and project partners to oversee progress and support implementation.
