The Australian mining company Rio Tinto has announced the signing of a joint development agreement with the Australian environmental technology company Calix to support the construction of the Calix Green Iron Technology Demonstration Plant (Zesty™) in Western Australia, which could enable the use of Pilbara iron ore in low-emission steel production, complementing the long-term research Rio Tinto BioIron™ program.
Rio Tinto invests more than 35 Australian dollars. millions to help finance the Calix Zesty™ green iron demonstration plant in Kwinana. The project also receives support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Hydrogen-based recovery technology and electric heating
The Zesty™ process uses electric heating and hydrogen-based iron reduction, paving the way for processing the low-grade iron ores that dominate Pilbara's supply. If successful, the technology could expand the range of ores suitable for hydrogen direct reduction and support the global transition to fossil fuel-free steel.
The demonstration plant will occupy the territory originally intended for the Rio Tinto BioIron™ research and pilot center. Rio Tinto has determined that the BioIron furnace design requires further refinement to minimize technical risks. Work on BioIron continues in partnership with the University of Nottingham and Metso.
The location in Kwinana provides access to utilities, port infrastructure, and proximity to the NeoSmelt project, another initiative supported by ARENA that can recycle Zesty DRI products further.
Zesty™, ARENA grants and technological integration
Calix's Zesty™ Demonstration Plant received a conditional ARENA grant in in the amount of 44.9 million Australian dollars. Combined with Rio Tinto's contribution, the financing will enable the design, construction, commissioning and early testing of the technology.
Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will provide:
- technical and engineering support for final investment decision (FID),
- up to 10,000 tons of Pilbara ore for commissioning and the start of production,
- market introduction
