Beijing, September 5th (Xinhua) -- Global mining giant Vale is accelerating the application of its iron ore compaction technology. On the 5th, it was learned from Vale that Vale and Midrex Technologies, Inc. have agreed to cooperate in promoting a technical solution for using iron ore pellets in direct reduction plants. The executives of the two companies have met at Midrex Research and Technology Development Center and signed a technology cooperation agreement.
It is understood that the agreement continues the technical cooperation and testing work carried out by both parties in the past year. Vale's cold pressing technology utilizes adhesive technology to produce high-quality iron ore pellets at low temperatures, resulting in final products with high mechanical strength. The preliminary test results indicate that the use of iron ore compaction in the direct reduction process has a good effect. If this technology is used in MIDREX& reg; The factory has been verified, and both parties plan to establish a joint venture to provide the market with pressing technology and facilities. Midrex is a global leader in direct reduction ironmaking technology and after-sales solutions for the steel industry.
Currently, most direct reduction factories worldwide use iron ore pellets as raw materials. The compaction production process of Vale is an alternative to the pellet production process, which has lower production costs, lower investment intensity, and can reduce approximately 80% of carbon dioxide emissions. Direct reduction iron (DRI) can be produced through direct reduction technology. DRI is a key raw material for electric arc furnaces (EAF), which can be used to produce high-quality steel with fewer impurities. DRI can also be used in blast furnaces to supplement or replace iron ore, thereby reducing coke demand and lowering carbon emissions.
Compared with other ironmaking processes, direct reduction technology has a lower carbon footprint because it uses natural gas instead of coke as a reducing agent. If green hydrogen is used instead of natural gas, green steel with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions can be produced. This agreement demonstrates the recognition by the world's leading direct reduction technology suppliers of the enormous potential of compaction in the global decarbonization of steel, "said Eduardo Bartolomeo, CEO of Vale." This is not only a technology cooperation agreement, but also opens up a partnership. This partnership will play a key role in promoting compaction technology to more markets
We are delighted to collaborate with Vale to find an economically efficient and environmentally friendly solution for using iron ore fines in direct reduction plants, "said KC Woody, President and CEO of Midrex.