BHP, Rio Tinto, and BlueScope Steel have announced plans to construct a pilot low-carbon pig iron plant named NeoSmelt in the Kwinana Industrial Zone, south of Perth. This facility aims to be Australia’s largest pilot plant utilizing electric smelting and direct reduced iron technology, with an annual production target of 30,000 to 40,000 tons of liquid iron. Initially powered by natural gas, it will transition to low-carbon hydrogen to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The project has received A$75 million in support from the Western Australian government and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028.
