Vale and Midrex cooperate to use iron ore briquettes in DRI plants

Midrex Technologies Inc. und Vale have agreed to partner in advancing a technical solution for the use of iron ore briquettes in direct reduction plants. Executives of the two companies signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement, united by a common vision for steelmaking decarbonization.

The agreement extends the parties’ technical cooperation and test work developed over the last year. Vale’s proprietary briquetting technology enables the production of high-quality iron ore agglomerates from the low-temperature process using a technological solution of binders, which gives the final product high mechanical strength.
Initial test results have shown promising results in using iron ore briquettes in the direct reduction process. Once the technology has been successfully demonstrated in Midrex Plants, both partners plan to evaluate the creation of a joint venture to exclusively provide briquette technology and facilities to the market.
Currently, most direct reduction plants use iron ore pellets as a feedstock. Vale’s briquette production process represents an alternative to the pelletizing process with lower production costs, lower investment intensity, and approximately 80% less CO2 emission.
Through direct reduction technology, Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) is produced. DRI is a critical feedstock to produce high-quality steel with fewer impurities in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). DRI can also be used in Blast Furnaces (BFs) to supplement and replace iron ore, reducing the need for coke and carbon emissions.
Direct reduction technology has a lower CO2 footprint compared to other ironmaking processes, as it uses natural gas as the reduction agent instead of coke – an input obtained from mineral coal. Using green hydrogen instead of natural gas enables the production of green steel with near-zero GHG emissions.
“This agreement is a recognition by one of the world’s leading suppliers of direct reduction technology of the briquette’s strong potential to decarbonize the global steel industry,” said Vale’s CEO Eduardo Bartolomeo.
“More than a technical cooperation agreement, it is the start of a partnership that will play a crucial role in scaling briquette technology to several markets.” “We are very excited to be working with Vale to find a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for using iron ore fines in DR Plants,” KC Woody, Midrex President & CEO, said. “And the ability to convert DRI fines and other waste streams into a saleable product presents an even greater opportunity.”
Source: Midrex/Vale