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
ADM and Mitsubishi form strategic agriculture supply chain alliance
(Posted on 01/04/25)ADM and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to form a strategic... Read more
ESL Shipping and SSAB extend cooperation in raw material transports
(Posted on 27/03/25)ESL Shipping and global steel manufacturer SSAB have agreed on a multi-year extension of the agreement... Read more
Sakatti copper project in Finland awarded ‘Strategic Project’ status by EU
(Posted on 27/03/25)Anglo American’s Sakatti copper and polymetallic project in Finland has been designated as a &... Read more
FEFAC calls for targeted transatlantic feed trade agreement
(Posted on 18/03/25)FEFAC, representing the EU compound feed and premix manufacturers, noted with deep concern the announced... Read more
Cargill inaugurates new corn milling plant in Gwalior, India
(Posted on 18/03/25)Catering to the growing demand from India’s confectionery, infant formula, and dairy sectors,... Read more
Metal Park launches storage hub in KEZAD
(Posted on 12/03/25)Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated and purpose... Read more
Rio Tinto to invest $1.8bn to develop Western Australia Brockman mine
(Posted on 06/03/25)Rio Tinto will invest $1.8 billion1 to develop the Brockman Syncline 1 mine project (BS1), extending... Read more
Canadian steel industry denounces tariffs on Canada
(Posted on 04/03/25)Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), has released... Read more
Study: Enough scrap to meet rising U.S. demand for recycled steel
(Posted on 04/03/25)Enough domestic ferrous scrap is available for electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers to supply nearly... Read more
Cargill and Hafnia launch Seascale Energy
(Posted on 01/03/25)Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business and leading tanker shipping company, Hafnia, have joined... Read more
