NeoSmelt Ironmaking Electric Smelting Furnace Pilot Plant

feasibility phase

NeoSmelt is a joint venture formed by Rio Tinto, BHP Group, and BlueScope to develop Australia's largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant in Western Australia. The project aims to advance decarbonizing the steelmaking process by producing iron using ESF technology, which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional blast furnace methods. The pilot plant will produce 30,000-40,000 tons of molten iron annually, initially using natural gas and later transitioning to lower-carbon hydrogen. The project is currently in the feasibility phase with a final investment decision expected in 2026 and operations anticipated to start in 2028.