Omani steel producer Jindal Steel Duqm, a subsidiary of Jindal Steel Group, has signed a contract with Italian manufacturer Danieli for the construction of a second direct reduction plant (DR) in Duqm, Al-Wusta.
The second DRI unit will complement Jindal Steel's first direct recovery unit, Duqm Energiron®, which is currently under construction at Duqm and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. With this addition, the company aims to increase the supply of low-carbon cast iron units and position Oman as a regional leader in green steel production.
Expansion of hydrogen steel production in Oman
The new plant will be designed to produce 2.5 million tons of direct reduction iron per year while maintaining an average metallization rate of 94 percent. The hot DRI will be compacted into hot briquetted cast iron, a format that ensures safe storage and efficient export to international markets. The project also considers the possibility of using a special transport system that can supply hot DRI at temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius directly to electric arc furnaces. This system will significantly increase energy efficiency by eliminating the need for reheating.
Advanced Tenova and Danieli technology
The plant will use the Energiron® direct recovery process with a zero transformer, a technology jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli. This hybrid process is designed to run on natural gas and can contain up to 80 percent hydrogen or any mixture.
