Rio Tinto to supply 70% of iron for zero-carbon steel plant in Austria

April 8 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto (RIO.AX), opens new tab will supply 70% of the iron ore for a new hydrogen-based steelmaking plant being developed with Austrian steelmaker Voestalpine (VOES.VI), opens new tab and steel-making technology provider Primetals Technologies, the companies said on Tuesday.

The test facility, to be constructed at Voestalpine's Linz site, will have a capacity of three tons of metal per hour, will utilize hydrogen instead of coal to process iron ore, potentially eliminating carbon emissions from the steelmaking process.

Rio Tinto will contribute technical expertise regarding iron ore quality while supplying 70% of the raw material from its global operations for the prototype plant and will aid in accelerating the technology's market readiness.

The technology permits iron ore to be used directly without first forming it into pellets, which could reduce costs and energy consumption.

The project, also supported by Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T), opens new tab, is set to begin operations in mid-2027 and has secured funding from the Austrian government and European Union programs, according to the statement.