Metso Opens Pilot Facility for DRI Smelting Furnace in Pori, Finland

Metso has inaugurated a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Smelting Furnace pilot facility in Pori, Finland, which officially opened on October 25, 2024. This facility will facilitate customer-specific pilot-scale testing to showcase the effectiveness and results of industrial-scale DRI smelting utilizing Metso’s Outotec® DRI Smelting Furnace technology.

"This new pilot facility exemplifies Metso's innovative solutions that aid the minerals and metals processing sector in adopting sustainable technologies," stated Jyrki Makkonen, Vice President of Smelting at Metso. He highlighted that Metso's DRI Smelting Furnace replaces traditional blast furnaces used in iron and steel production, significantly lowering emissions when paired with a direct reduction plant.

The establishment of the DRI Smelting Furnace pilot facility responds to the growing demand from customers for dependable testing as they move toward emissions-free smelting. Mari Lindgren, Director of Smelting Research & Development at Metso, explained that the facility will enable reliable testing of various customer materials for large-scale industrial applications. She added, "The construction of the pilot plant and the installation of equipment have progressed remarkably quickly and smoothly. We anticipate hot commissioning of the equipment soon, after which we will be ready for customer testing."

The new high-capacity DRI Smelting Furnace, launched in 2022, represents one of Metso’s significant technological advancements and a key solution for decarbonizing the iron and steel industry. By replacing traditional blast furnaces in hot metal production, this furnace provides a viable option for primary steel manufacturers seeking to achieve substantial reductions in CO2 emissions while making minimal adjustments to existing steel plant operations. Furthermore, the furnace can seamlessly integrate with Metso’s hydrogen-based Circored™ process or other direct reduction technologies.

Overall, the opening of this pilot facility marks a significant milestone for Metso, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the iron and steel sector. With the capacity for customized testing and development, the facility is poised to support industry partners in their transition to cleaner production methods, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for metal manufacturing.

Introduced in 2022, Metso's high-capacity DRI Smelting Furnace is a breakthrough technology and a key Planet Positive solution aimed at decarbonizing the iron and steel industry. When paired with a direct reduction plant, Metso’s DRI Smelting Furnace serves as an alternative to traditional blast furnaces for hot metal production, making it ideal for primary steel producers seeking substantial CO2 emission reductions with minimal adjustments to the rest of their steel operations. Additionally, the furnace can be seamlessly integrated with Metso’s hydrogen-based Circored™ process or other direct reduction technologies.