H2 Green Steel and Rio Tinto Partner on Green Steel Production

H2 Green Steel, a Swedish company, has joined hands with the global mining giant Rio Tinto to spearhead an innovative approach to steel manufacturing that drastically reduces carbon emissions and advances the industry towards a sustainable future.

In a monumental leap towards reshaping the environmental impact of the steel sector, H2 Green Steel and Rio Tinto have initiated a transformative collaboration. The core of this partnership revolves around the provision of direct reduction iron ore pellets (DR Pellets) from Rio Tinto's Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) to fuel H2 Green Steel's revolutionary green steel production located in Boden, Sweden. This forward-looking endeavor is aimed at expediting the shift to eco-conscious steelmaking while curbing the significant carbon emissions associated with the industry.

The foundation of this partnership is built upon a resolute commitment to decarbonize steel production—an industry renowned for its substantial contribution to global carbon emissions. H2 Green Steel's groundbreaking plant, scheduled to commence operations in 2025, signifies a paradigm shift. Nestled in Boden, northern Sweden, this fully integrated, digitalized, and circular facility is positioned to be a model of sustainable steel production. At its core lies the world's largest electrolysis plant, designed to generate green hydrogen, a key element in transforming iron ore into green sponge iron through reduction processes.

The partnership between H2 Green Steel and Rio Tinto unfolds in two strategic phases. Initially, Rio Tinto will supply DR Pellets, an essential ingredient for producing high-grade hot briquetted iron (HBI), which is crucial for low-emission steel manufacturing in electric arc furnaces. This infusion of top-quality iron ore from Rio Tinto's IOC is expected to drive the operations of H2 Green Steel's flagship plant and catalyze the advancement of greener steelmaking.

Secondly, a pivotal aspect of this collaboration is Rio Tinto's commitment to purchasing and distributing a portion of the surplus low-carbon HBI generated during the ramp-up phase of H2 Green Steel. This mutually beneficial relationship not only empowers H2 Green Steel's progress but also provides Rio Tinto with invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of green iron and steel, thereby promoting comprehensive decarbonization endeavors.

Simon Farry, Head of Rio Tinto Steel Decarbonization, underscores the far-reaching implications of this partnership: "We are partnering across the steel ecosystem to find better ways to support the decarbonization of iron and steel making, and to reduce our scope 3 emissions." Farry's statement encapsulates the seismic impact this collaboration heralds, underscoring the dedication to sustainable steel production and a genuine commitment to mitigating the carbon footprint of the industry.