Primetals Technologies, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation, Rio Tinto, and Voestalpine, has signed an agreement to accelerate the development of fluidized bed and smelter technologies for net-zero CO2 emissions ironmaking. The collaboration will lead to the establishment of an industrial-scale prototype plant at Voestalpine’s Linz site in Austria, scheduled to begin operations by mid-2027.
The new ironmaking process, with a capacity of three tons of hot metal per hour, combines Primetals Technologies’ HYFOR and Smelter technologies. HYFOR is the world’s first direct reduction technology for iron ore fines that eliminates the need for agglomeration. Since 2021, a pilot plant at Voestalpine’s Donawitz site has successfully tested the technology. The Smelter, powered by renewable energy, will be used to melt and reduce direct reduced iron (DRI), producing net-zero CO2 emissions hot metal.
Rio Tinto will provide 70pct of the iron ore for the plant and contribute its expertise in iron ore quality and preparation. It will also support the commercialization of the technology.
The Austrian federal government is funding the project through its “Transformation of Industry” program, while the European Union supports it through the Clean Steel Partnership and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
Voestalpine is a global leader in steel and technology, with operations in over 50 countries and a market-leading position in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections.