Tenova, a major developer and provider of technology solutions for the decarbonisation of the metals industry, has been selected as preferred technology supplier and awarded a contract to carry out the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) pilot plant, a core component of the NeoSmelt project.
The contract concerns the feasibility phase of the project, which is currently underway. The Kwinana Industrial Area has been chosen by the consortium as the preferred location for the pilot facility, with a Final Investment Decision expected in 2026; if approved, the operations at the facility will start in 2028.
The DRI plant will adopt ENERGIRON DRI technology. Designed to produce up to 50,000 tons per year of DRI, the equipment will feature dual operational flexibility, capable of using either natural gas or hydrogen as a reducing agent. This versatility will enable the project to potentially test multiple decarbonisation pathways and adapt to evolving lower-emissions energy availability and infrastructure. The DRI plant will also be capable of processing medium-grade iron ore, adding strategic value, and will be equipped with an integrated carbon capture system, in line with potential long-term decarbonisation strategies.