Photo by: Bloomberg
Diversifed miner Rio Tinto and Chinese steel producer Shougang Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote research, design and implement low-carbon solutions for the steel value chain.
The MoU’s focus areas include low-carbon sintering technology, blast furnace (BF) and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) optimisation, as well as carbon capture and utilisation (CCU).
Rio Tinto says the partnership with Shougang underlines the mining group's strategic commitment to partner with customers on steel decarbonisation pathways and to invest in technologies that could deliver reductions in steelmaking carbon intensity.
Initial efforts will be focused on, but not limited to, BF slag heat recovery, BOF slag utilisation, CCU and low-carbon sintering technology.
“Steel is a vital material for economic growth and low-carbon infrastructure. At Rio Tinto, we want to play a strong role as an industry partner to support the decarbonisation of steel.
"We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with Shougang to jointly work towards our shared vision of a ‘greener’ steel value chain,” comments Rio Rinto chief commercial officer Alf Barrios.
“Green and low-carbon transition and upgrading is the only way for high-quality and sustainable development of the steel industry.
"The cooperation between Shougang Group and Rio Tinto Group to develop low-carbon generic technologies for the steel sector and explore decarbonisation solutions is a positive move for both sides to cooperate and promote low-carbon technology innovation,” adds Shougang VP Wang Jianwei.