Iron-ore miner BHP Group and steelmaker Posco have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance hydrogen-based ironmaking technology as part of efforts to decarbonise the steel sector, the companies said last week.
The collaboration will focus on Posco’s HyREX process, which uses hydrogen in fluidised bed reactors (FBR) and an electric smelting furnace (ESF) to produce direct reduced iron without the need to pelletise fine iron-ore.
Under the agreement, the companies will share technical expertise and conduct trials using BHP’s Pilbara iron-ore at Posco’s HyREX demonstration plant in Pohang, South Korea, the first facility to integrate hydrogen-based FBR technology with an ESF at scale.
Posco is developing a 300 000 t/y demonstration plant, with construction expected to begin soon and commissioning targeted for 2028.
“This collaboration with Posco marks another important step towards decarbonising the steel industry,” BHP chief commercial officer Rag Udd said.