- Rio
Tinto to develop BioIron Research and Development Facility in East Rockingham
- $215
million investment to support reducing emissions in the steel industry
- Facility
to put WA front-and-centre of future low-emissions steel industry
- Supports
Cook Government's plan to diversify the economy in a clean energy future
Western
Australia will be at the forefront of the global effort to reduce emissions in
the steel industry, with Rio Tinto to invest $215 million into a new research
and development facility in the Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area.
The
facility will trial Rio Tinto's BioIron process - which uses raw biomass like
wheat straw and canola stalks to turn Pilbara iron ore into metallic iron,
creating a low-carbon iron for steelmaking.
The process eliminates
the need of coking coal in the steelmaking process and could result in a
reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from steelmaking of up to 95 per cent.
Rio Tinto first proved
the effectiveness of the BioIron process in a small-scale plant in Germany -
with the new Perth facility to include a semi-industrial scale pilot plant that
will be 10 times the size of its predecessor.
The BioIron facility is
expected to create around 60 construction jobs and support about 30 full-time
employees, helping to develop skills in low-carbon steelmaking.
Fabrication of equipment
for the facility will begin this year, with commissioning expected in 2026.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"As
one of the world's largest iron ore producers, it just makes sense for WA to
lead the world when it comes to low-emission steelmaking.
"Our
plan to turn WA into a renewable energy powerhouse opens up massive economic
opportunities for the future, like producing low-emission steel right here at
home.
"Processing
iron ore in WA will create jobs, reduce the world's carbon emissions and help
to diversify and strengthen our economy for decades to come.
"This
is another job-creating clean energy project in our industrial heartland of
Kwinana and Rockingham, and part of our commitment to transitioning the
industrial strip to a clean energy future.
"There
is huge demand for industrial land in the southern suburbs - which is why we've
created the $500 million Strategic Industries Fund, to open up more industrial
land and pave the way for the job-creating projects of the future."
Comments attributed to Rio Tinto Chief
Executive Iron Ore Simon Trott:
"The
world needs low-carbon steel to reach net zero, and we are working to make this
a reality by finding better ways to turn our Pilbara ores into steel.
"BioIron
is a world-first technology that has the potential to play a significant role
in a low-carbon steel future.
"This
research and development facility will further test the BioIron process,
showcase Western Australian innovation capability, and further demonstrates Rio
Tinto's commitment to supporting and enabling the decarbonisation of the steel
industry."
Comments
attributed to Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall:
"The
Cook Labor Government is securing the jobs of the future in Rockingham,
bringing major new projects onto our industrial strip.
"This
is cutting-edge technology right here in Rockingham, helping to keep our local
economy strong and create local jobs."
