MoU to study using Rio Tinto iron ore in green steelmaking
(Posted on 08/06/22)
Rio Tinto and the Salzgitter Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together towards carbon-free steelmaking by studying optimisation of Rio Tinto’s high-quality Canadian and Australian iron ore products for use in Salzgitter’s SALCOS green steel project in Germany.
Under the MOU, Rio Tinto and Salzgitter will explore optimisation of iron ore pellets, lump and fines for use in hydrogen direct reduction steelmaking. The two companies will also explore the potential for greenhouse gas emission certification across the steel value chain.
Rio Tinto produces iron ore pellets and concentrate at Iron Ore Company of Canada and iron ore lump and fines in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The partnership will focus on the potential use of these products in the SALCOS® - Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking programme, which is targeting virtually carbon-free steel production, starting step-by-step in 2025 using hydrogen direct reduction.
Rio Tinto Chief Commercial Officer Alf Barrios said “We welcome the chance to work with Salzgitter on ways to accelerate green steelmaking, in keeping with our commitment to reduce emissions across the steel value chain.
“Salzgitter has one of the world’s most advanced green steelmaking projects. Rio Tinto is excited at the opportunity of supplying our product and combining our technical expertise with that of Salzgitter to help advance the SALCOS project.”
Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH Chairman of the Management Board Ulrich Grethe said “With this alliance, we want to combine the knowledge of both companies to make further progress with low-carbon steel production.
“In this context, the Salzgitter Group is relying on strong partners, as set out in our ‘Salzgitter AG 2030’ Group strategy, in line with its motto of ‘Partnering for Circular Solutions’.”
Rio Tinto is committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and is targeting a 15% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2025 (from a 2018 baseline) and a 50% reduction by 2030. Rio Tinto’s approach to addressing Scope 3 emissions is to engage with its customers on climate change and work with them to develop the technologies to decarbonise.
Under the SALCOS program, Salzgitter’s carbon-based blast furnace route will gradually be replaced from the middle of this decade by direct reduction plants, initially operated by natural gas and then with a steadily increasing proportion of hydrogen.
Latest News
SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany
(Posted on 29/05/26)SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more
NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application
(Posted on 29/05/26)In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more
EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more
Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery
(Posted on 22/05/26)Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more
Tripartite MOU to establish direct U.S.–DRC cobalt supply chain
(Posted on 14/05/26)Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EVelution Energy LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd. has announced... Read more
Commissioning of Oxelösund electric arc furnace delayed due to permitting
(Posted on 14/05/26)SSAB’s conversion of the mill in Oxelösund to fossil-free production is being delayed due... Read more
YEC agreement supports decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations
(Posted on 11/05/26)Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy... Read more
ASA Vice President urges caution in USTR Section 301 investigation
(Posted on 11/05/26)Soybean farmers are already facing significant economic headwinds and new trade actions could add further... Read more
ADM investment to upgrade Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility
(Posted on 11/05/26)ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a multimillion-dollar investment... Read more
JV in Bayuquan, China to strengthen global raw material supply chains
(Posted on 04/05/26)CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH has announced the official opening of its joint venture, CREMER (Yingkou) Supply... Read more
