- 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.
As stated by 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.”
As stated by 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.”
