Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
Strategic Partnership Between Porto do Açu and Vale Aims to Develop Hub for Sustainable HBI Manufacturing
Vale and Porto do Açu are taking a crucial step towards a more sustainable future in the steel industry by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to study the development of a mega hub at Porto do Açu, located in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, for the manufacturing of HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron).
This pioneering initiative is coordinated by Porto do Açu and involves sector academics, focusing on the use of HBI as a partial charge in blast furnaces, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase productivity in steelmaking, without the need to replace existing productive assets, according to the Portos e Navios website.
HBI is currently most commonly used in electric arc furnaces, while most Brazilian steel mills use blast furnaces. Vale’s proposal to use HBI in this type of furnace represents a smooth transition towards the decarbonization process of the steel industry. Vale will explore alternatives for supplying iron ore pellets, such as pellets or briquettes, to support this project.
-
More than a decade of delays: the duplication of Lot 1 of BR-280, between São Francisco do Sul and Jaraguá do Sul, had its project approved in 2013, suffered stoppages and has remained halted since 2022, with only 36% of the services completed.
-
More than a decade of delays: the duplication of Lot 1 of BR-280, between São Francisco do Sul and Jaraguá do Sul, had its project approved in 2013, suffered stoppages and has remained halted since 2022, with only 36% of the services completed.
-
Trump gives a deadline, but no relief: Trump’s tariffs remain alive, threaten Brazil, and put Lula against the wall in tense negotiations in the US.
-
Trump gives a deadline, but no relief: Trump’s tariffs remain alive, threaten Brazil, and put Lula against the wall in tense negotiations in the US.
Clean Energy and Potential for Green Hydrogen in the Steel Industry
The project plans to produce HBI using natural gas, which will be available at Porto do Açu. Additionally, there is the possibility of converting this production to green hydrogen in the future, which would result in HBI with near-zero carbon emissions in the steel industry. This represents a significant advancement towards a cleaner and more sustainable steel industry.
This agreement with Porto do Açu is part of Vale’s efforts to develop the Mega Hub model in Brazil. These industrial complexes are focused on manufacturing low-carbon steel products. Vale is already implementing this model in three Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Oman). The aim is to transform Brazil into a hub for low-carbon steelmaking, leveraging the country’s natural resources, such as high-quality iron ore and abundant natural gas reserves, along with the potential to develop green hydrogen.
The Potential of Energy Transition at Porto do Açu
The CEO of Porto do Açu, José Firmo, emphasizes the importance of this partnership for energy transition in Brazil. With its unique port infrastructure, strategic location, and competitive prices for Brazilian natural gas, Porto do Açu is well-positioned to significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the steel industry, both domestically and internationally.
The use of HBI in blast furnaces could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 25%, aligning with the goals for emissions reduction by 2030. This places Brazil on track to become a major producer of HBI, supplying steel mills around the world. This strategic partnership between Vale and Porto do Açu is a significant step towards cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly steelmaking.
Be the first to react!