VA Erzberg, open-pit iron ore mine from Austria, launches the Net-Zero Iron Ore Challenge – Innovative Siderite Processing & Carbonate Valorization

VA Erzberg, Europe’s largest open-pit iron ore mine, in collaboration with EIT RawMaterials, the leading raw materials innovation and knowledge network and supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union (EU), launched the VA Erzberg Net-Zero Iron Ore Challenge – Innovative Siderite Processing & Carbonate Valorization. The initiative is an urgent call for startups, SMEs, research groups, universities and innovators to propose sustainable solutions for reducing CO2 emissions from carbonate iron ore processing

The iron and steel industry is a cornerstone of the European economy, supporting 2.6 million jobs and contributing €132 billion annually. As the European Union aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and seeks to reduce its CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, the urgent decarbonisation of the iron and steel sector is essential.

Regions like Austria, where VA Erzberg is located, have extensive mineral iron carbonate reserves. However, the traditional carbonate ore reduction process includes a calcination step, which impacts the steelmakers’ Scope 3 emissions.

The challenge invites submissions from both commercial-ready solutions and early-stage innovations that focus on three areas:

1)    Iron Ore Calcination and Reduction: Innovative eco-efficient methods for Erzberg’s iron ore calcination and reduction, improving efficiency and reducing emissions

2)   CO2 Off-Gas Treatment: Advanced technologies to capture and utilise CO2 emissions during the processes

3)    Byproduct Valorization: Innovative methods to valorise CO2 and other byproducts from Erzberg in the steel or other     industries

The winners will gain insights into advanced mining operations and receive benefits such as paid proof-of-concept opportunities, funding support for further research, as well as networking and coaching opportunities.

Expires on September 29, 2024

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