Rio Tinto has signed definitive agreements with GravitHy to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking in Europe.
Under the agreements, Rio Tinto has agreed to supply high-grade direct reduction iron ore pellets from its Iron Ore Company of Canada operations to support GravitHy's steel decarbonisation project in France.
GravitHy's proposed facility at Fos-sur-Mer, France, is expected to produce two million tonnes per year of iron starting in 2028.
Located adjacent to a deep seaport, the plant will utilise ultra-low carbon hydrogen production infrastructure, powered by nuclear energy, to convert direct reduction pellets into hot briquetted iron (HBI).
GravitHy CEO José Noldin said: “We are developing one of the most advanced ultra-low-carbon iron projects worldwide, designated by the French Government as an ‘Industrial Project of Major National Interest’.
“By combining our business ambitions, agility and technological capabilities with Rio Tinto’s global leadership in mining and steel decarbonisation, we are ensuring a solid sourcing and go-to-market strategy to help accelerate the development of this project.”
The collaboration aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in ironmaking.
The innovative process at GravitHy's facility has the potential to lower related emissions by more than 90%.
This initiative is a critical step towards achieving a net-zero energy transition, as the iron and steel sector is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.
Rio Tinto Steel Decarbonisation head Simon Farry said: “This collaboration is aligned with Rio Tinto’s steel decarbonisation strategy to accelerate the development of low-carbon Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking with high-grade iron as feedstock.
“This will allow us to both reduce our scope 3 emissions and create valuable decarbonised pathways for our high-grade iron ore. We are excited to support GravitHy’s project and expand our understanding of the emerging green iron and steel market.”
Earlier this month, Rio Tinto announced that it will trial battery swapping technology for electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, in partnership with China’s SPIC.
