Metso Corp., based in Espoo, Finland, is embarking on an €8 million investment initiative to augment its testing capabilities through the construction of a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Smelting Furnace pilot facility. The forthcoming pilot plant will be situated in Pori, Finland, a strategic location housing one of Metso's major Research and Development Centers dedicated to serving the minerals and metals industry. This state-of-the-art facility will play a pivotal role in facilitating customer-specific pilot-scale testing, showcasing the viability and outcomes of industrial-scale DRI smelting utilizing Metso's Outotec DRI Smelting Furnace technology.

Against the backdrop of the iron and steel sector contributing approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, the move to invest in this pilot facility aligns with the industry's imperative to seek innovative solutions for reducing its carbon footprint. The launch of Metso's Outotec® DRI Smelting Furnace has garnered substantial interest, as it serves as a substitute for conventional blast furnaces employed in iron and steel production, offering a substantial reduction in emissions, especially when coupled with a direct reduction plant.

The allocation of funds to establish the DRI Smelting Furnace pilot facility is driven by the escalating demand from customers seeking reliable testing methodologies as they contemplate transitioning to emissions-free smelting processes. This pioneering facility will enable thorough testing of diverse customer materials at a pilot scale, supporting the industrial scale-up of the technology. Construction of this distinctive facility is underway, with the anticipation of conducting initial tests and campaigns in the latter part of 2024. Presently, Metso caters to its customers through smaller scale laboratory tests.

The Outotec DRI Smelting Furnace, introduced in 2022, stands as one of Metso's groundbreaking technologies and represents a significant Planet Positive solution aimed at facilitating the decarbonization of the iron and steel industry. When coupled with a direct reduction plant, this furnace serves as a substitute for traditional blast furnaces in hot metal production. This makes it an ideal solution for primary steel producers striving to achieve a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions with minimal modifications to the rest of their steel plant infrastructure. Furthermore, the furnace can seamlessly integrate with Metso's hydrogen-based CircoredTM process or other direct reduction processes.

The strategic investment in the pilot facility not only reflects Metso's commitment to innovation and sustainability but also underscores its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the industry. As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, the development and implementation of advanced technologies, such as the Outotec DRI Smelting Furnace, are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future for the iron and steel sector. The construction and operationalization of the pilot facility mark a significant step towards providing the industry with reliable and scalable solutions for transitioning to eco-friendly smelting processes, ultimately contributing to the global effort to mitigate carbon emissions.