Rio Tinto invests $35m into Calix, replacing BioIron development
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The news: Rio Tinto has halted development of steel-making decarbonisation technology BioIron and committed $35 million to Calix so that it can build a demonstration plant for its zero emissions steel technology (ZESTY) at a site in Kwinana previously reserved for BioIron.
The context: Rio Tinto has signed a joint development agreement with Calix to support construction of a ZESTY green iron demonstration plant.
It will be located near the NeoSmelt facility for electric smelting of direct reduced iron, which is being developed a consortium of partners including Rio Tinto with Australian Renewable Energy Agency grant support.
A BioIron research and development facility and associated pilot plant was previously earmarked for that site, according to Rio Tinto, which determined that “the current furnace design for BioIron requires additional development to minimise technical risks and optimise its performance”.
However, Rio Tinto said it remains committed to “the long-term potential of BioIron technology” and will continue research and development with the University of Nottingham and sustainable technology company Metso.
What they said: “We’re pleased to partner with Calix, an Australian technology company, to help progress the Zesty technology to be able to use Pilbara iron ores for lower-emissions steel making,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Matthew Holcz said.
“In parallel, we’ll keep progressing BioIron with our partners, the University of Nottingham and Metso, to further its potential. Both projects are part of our work to reduce emissions and support the future of iron ore in Australia and the communities that depend on it.”
The source: Rio Tinto media release
