Vale has finalized negotiations with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to begin Phase 1 of its project to develop an industrial-scale briquette plant in Louisiana. Over USD 3.8 mln in awarded funds will be used for engineering studies and community engagement in 2025.
The grant, part of the DOE’s Industrial Demonstration Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, allocates up to USD 282.9 mln for the project, which will run through 2031.
The plant aims to produce 1.5 mln tons per year of Vale’s innovative iron ore briquettes, designed for the direct reduced iron (DRI) route. Located along the Mississippi River, the facility will benefit from access to US market end-users.
