Kobe Steel & Mitsui Announce DRI Project in Oman; 5 Million Tons Using MIDREX® Hydrogen-based Technology

Kobe Steel, Ltd. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) to manufacture and sell direct reduced iron (DRI) near the port of Duqm. The plant will utilize MIDREX Flex™ technology, which allows for initial operation on natural gas with transition to up to 100% hydrogen. The Low-CO₂ Iron Metallics Project aims to produce 5 million tons of DRI with a future expansion plan under study.

Oman is a country rich in natural gas and a suitable location for the Low-CO₂ Iron Metallics Project, as the country promotes renewable energies and green hydrogen. While natural gas will be used as a reducing agent in the project for the time being, replacement of natural gas by hydrogen in combination with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) will be possible to further reduce CO₂ emissions.