HBIS and BHP join for carbon capture project

As part of this new project, HBIS and BHP will trial pilot-scale demonstrations of carbon capture and utilisation technologies at HBIS’ steel operations in China. The trial will develop and test technologies that can be integrated into steel production processes to reduce the CO₂ emissions. These include Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption, VPSA, an alternative technology to capture the CO₂, and two utilisation technologies (slag mineralisation and biological conversion to protein) to sequester the CO₂.

BHP’s chief commercial officer, Vandita Pant, said: “Our multi-faceted partnership with HBIS will now include pilot testing of novel carbon capture technology at their operating sites in Hebei. With our support, HBIS will also be pilot testing options for the utilisation of captured carbon dioxide for the production of saleable products and sequestration in waste slag.”

BHP’s chief executive officer, Mike Henry, said: “This collaboration between BHP and HBIS, a leader in the global steel industry and an important customer for our iron ore, will provide a strong example for the industry to follow towards the wider deployment of CCUS and towards achieving major reductions in the CO₂ emission intensity of steel production.”

BHP’s latest collaboration agreement with HBIS will tap into the investment of up to $15 million over three years proposed by BHP and HBIS in an MOU signed in 2021.

HBIS Chairman Yu Yong commented: "The signing of these projects is another milestone since the two parties’ 'Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Collaboration in Climate Change' signed in 2021, it starts a new journey in jointly exploring CCUS technology developments in the steel sector.”