Tenova HYL and Danieli & C have joined forces with Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering (NSENGI) in order to combine their research and development activities surrounding Energiron DR, blast furnace and syngas technologies.

The main objective of the exercise is to develop a new ironmaking technology that will reduce C02 emissions and operating costs while increasing productivity and/or decreasing capex for integrated steelmaking facilities.

Combining the Energiron direct reduction technology with that of syngas will enable Energiron direct reduction plants to have access to non-natural gas-sited customers.

Energiron HYL is a direct reduction technology developed by Tenova and Danieli & C. NSENGI specialises in steel plant engineering technology and has specific expertise in blast furnace plants and syngas technology.

“This new alliance… seeks to capitalise on the key advantages of Energiron, which, in addition to capacity, also include environmental and economic benefits beyond those offered by existing technologies,” said a press statement issued by the three companies.

• Last week, Siemens announced a joint venture with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to co-operate in the field of metallurgy and become a 'globally operating complete provider' for plants, products and services for the iron, steel and aluminium industries.’