Intermediate product exports for Australia-China green steel

The Challenge

DRI production is set to grow from 8% to 24% pf iron production by 2050 (the MRIWA green steel report 2023). To make this production economic higher grade iron ores will be required. An increasing proportion of mined iron ore in Western Australia will not be of suitable grade for DRI

Proposed Solution

The project will do so by first building techno-economic and environmental models of individual process steps in conventional as well as decarbonized iron and steel making scenarios. The modelling will allow different steps of the process to occur in different countries, including with Australian exports of intermediate products such as 30, 50 or 70% metallised DRI. Emissions from different process steps will be determined in an LCA analysis. Transport costs and capacity constraints are included in a highly granular network representation. These components will be combined in an optimization model that attempts to find cost-optimal solutions for different levels of decarbonization of Chinese steel demand.

Proposed Benefits to WA

The assessment will provide a basis for future decision makers and for policy makers to determine the best pathways for green iron and steel.

Financial Assistance DOI

DOI: 10.71342/017161370721