• Rio Tinto, China Baowu completed industrial-scale pelletisation and hydrogen-based direct reduction trials using Pilbara Blend iron ore in China.
• Hydrogen shaft furnace produced direct reduced iron from pellets with one-third Pilbara Blend; output was converted into steel in a basic oxygen furnace.
• Work supports a 2023 climate partnership MoU aimed at cutting steelmaking emissions; trials suggest mid-grade Pilbara ore could fit low-carbon steel routes.
• Process used a 5 million tpa grate-kiln pellet plant, followed by a 1 million tpa hydrogen-based shaft furnace; DRI also tested in a 500 kg electric smelting furnace.

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