Rio Tinto is set to invest US$143 million to establish a research and development facility in Western Australia aimed at advancing its low-carbon ironmaking process, BioIronTM. This initiative follows successful trials of BioIron in a small-scale pilot plant in Germany.

The BioIron process replaces coal with raw biomass and microwave energy to convert Pilbara iron ore into metallic iron, potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional methods. The new facility, located in the Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area, will feature a pilot plant ten times larger than the German prototype and capable of producing one ton of direct reduced iron per hour.

Slated for commissioning in 2026, the project will create up to 60 construction jobs and employ 30 full-time staff, contributing to steel decarbonization efforts and supporting Western Australian innovation.