TOKYO, Apr 9, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Corporation ("MC") has agreed to participate in a demonstration project ("the Project") for the development of a hydrogen-based fluidized bed fine ore reduction process ("HYFOR") and electric smelting furnace (“Smelter”) as a strategic partner of Primetals Technologies ("Primetals") (Headquarters: UK, steel machinery company), along with Rio Tinto (Headquarters: UK/Australia, mining company) and voestalpine (Headquarters: Austria, steel company).This project entails constructing and operating an industrial-scale prototype plant for a new hydrogen-based ironmaking process at the voestalpine steelworks in Linz, Austria. Operations are scheduled to begin in mid-2027. The new ironmaking process has a projected capacity of 3 tons per hour and will produce hot metal and hot briquetted iron using the HYFOR and Smelter technologies developed by Primetals. Rio Tinto will supply 70 percent of the iron ore for the Project.HYFOR is the world’s first direct reduction technology for iron ore fines that does not require any agglomeration steps and enables the use of a wide variety of iron ores as feedstock. Since 2021, Primetals has operated a pilot plant and has run numerous successful test campaigns. By using hydrogen derived from renewable energy, it can also significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to existing ironmaking processes. Powered by renewable energy, the Smelter is used for melting and final reduction of direct reduced iron (“DRI”) to produce hot metal for the steelmaking plant. Funding for the investment and operation of this prototype plant has been provided by the Austrian federal government and the European Union.DRI has low CO2 emissions in the ironmaking process and the demand for DRI is expected to increase in the medium to long term. Once HYFOR and Smelter technologies are demonstrated through the Project, they will play an important role in decarbonizing the steel industry. Through the promotion of this project, MC will continue to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.About voestalpinevoestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. The voestalpine Group has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive and consumer goods industries, as well as to the aerospace and energy industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global climate goals and has a clear plan for transforming steel production with its greentec steel program. In the business year 2023/24, the Group generated revenue of EUR 16.7 billion, with an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 1.7 billion; it has around 51,600 employees worldwide.About Rio TintoRio Tinto operates in 35 countries where our 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. We have more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding our work. We have put climate change at the heart of our strategy, combining investments in commodities that enable the energy transition with actions to decarbonise our operations and value chains.About Primetals TechnologiesPrimetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a Group Company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 7,000 employees worldwide.About Mitsubishi CorporationMitsubishi Corporation is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates business together with its offices and subsidiaries worldwide. MC has 8 Business Groups that operate across virtually every industry: Environmental Energy, Material Solution, Mineral Resources, Urban Development and Infrastructure, Mobility, Food Industry, Smart-Life Creation, and Power Solution.Inquiry RecipientMitsubishi CorporationTelephone:+81-3-3210-2171 Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Apr 9, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has completed refurbishment of the core facilities of Eco Clean Plaza Miyazaki, a waste-to-energy plant in Miyazaki city in southern part of Kyushu. The refurbishment work, which was ordered in 2021, took place over a four-year span from FY2021 through FY2024. The refurbishment, enabling a waste treatment capacity of 579 tonnes per day (tpd), has extended the plant's service life and achieved reduction in CO2 emissions.Eco Clean Plaza Miyazaki encompasses facilities not only for waste incineration but also recycling and final waste management. It treats waste from Miyazaki city as well as nine nearby localities. The incineration facilities were designed and constructed by MHI and completed in October 2005. They incorporate three stoker type incinerators(Note1) each having a waste treatment capacity of 193 tpd, and related facilities. Power generation capacity using waste heat is 11,200 kW.Under the refurbishment work, upgrades have been made to major equipment superannuated after more than 15 years in operation, to achieve stable combustion and operation over the long term. Replacements include equipment involved in combustion, cooling of combustion gas, waste gas treatment, waste heat utilization, ventilation, and ash removal, as well as electrical instrumentation. Plant service life extension work was carried out adopting MHIEC's proprietary new combustion control system. Stable combustion has been realized with a lower air ratio(Note2) than previously.A CO2 reduction rate of 31.86%(Note3) was attained, significantly higher than the original 17.25% target. Factors contributing to the higher rate include: replacement to a feeder and boiler piping that enable higher durability responding to the low air ratio; increased power generation making efficient use of waste steam, achieved by changing to a low-temperature denitration catalyst; and the compound effects of adopting high-efficiency motors, converting to inverter type equipment, and optimization of plant equipment.The refurbishment work was difficult because it had to be undertaken amid continuing waste treatment, and because it coincided with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, work proceeded on schedule thanks to the further strengthening of coordination with all relevant counterparts and meticulous care exercised throughout, enabling the project to be successfully completed on time.MHIEC succeeded MHI's environmental protection business in 2008, taking over its accumulated technological development capabilities in environmental protection systems and abundant expertise in the construction, operation, and maintenance of waste management facilities both in Japan and overseas. Based on this robust track record, the company is well positioned to propose comprehensive solutions encompassing all aspects from plant construction to operation and maintenance. Going forward, the Company will continue proactively proposing solutions for extending the service life of existing waste treatment facilities, coping with global warming, and reducing maintenance, management and other lifecycle costs, to contribute to realization of a carbon neutral society.1A stoker furnace is the main type of waste-to-energy plant. Air is supplied from below a fire grate made of heat-resistant castings to propel the materials to be burned (waste, etc.).2Air ratio is calculated by dividing the real volume of air fed into the incinerator by the theoretical minimal amount of air necessary for waste combustion.3CO2 reduction rate based on the Ministry of the Environment's published material.Overview of Eco Clean Plaza Miyazaki Incineration PlantTreatment capacity579 tonnes per day (193 tpd x 3 units)Treatment methodIncineration (stoker type)Power generation capacity11,200 kWAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.