Mesabi Metallics selects Midrex for 10 million ton US steelmaking facility
Mesabi Metallics has selected Midrex Technologies for the direct reduced iron (DRI) component of its development of a new electric arc furnace based integrated steelmaking complex in the United States.
The facility is planned to produce up to 10 million tons of steel annually at full capacity, which would make it the largest steel plant in American history, and its direct reduced ironmaking complex would be one of the largest in the world. The first phase is planned for 7.5 million tons of steel production per year. The new Iowa steel complex represents a planned investment of $15 billion.
The direct reduction portion of the project will include MIDREX Flex technology, producing hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) for direct feed to adjacent electric arc furnaces, as well as hot briquetted iron (HBI).
The project builds on a relationship of more than three decades between Midrex and the Essar Group, sponsor of Mesabi Metallics.
“Our Mesabi Metallics and Midrex teams have worked closely together for the last 18 months to optimise the technology and engineering for the specific requirements of our steel plant. Pairing Midrex’s technology with our DR-grade Patriot Pellet from our mine in Minnesota is how we deliver the highest quality, lowest cost steel, with one of the lowest carbon footprints anywhere in the world. 100% American steel: mined, melted and poured,” said Joe Broking, chief executive officer of Mesabi Metallics.
“Mesabi’s decision to select Midrex reflects confidence in both our technology and our team,” said KC Woody, president and CEO of Midrex Technologies. “Essar and Midrex have worked together for many years, and they were an early pioneer of pellet to DRI to electric arc furnace steelmaking. Having built a steel plant of this scale in India, they know the process as well as anyone, and it is great to work with our long-term partners in the United States, right here in our backyard.”
The MIDREX Flex technology will be capable of operating with natural gas, hydrogen or a blend, allowing hydrogen use to increase over time as supply, infrastructure and economics develop.