We sign a strategic agreement with Vale to accelerate low-carbon steel production

At GravitHy, we have taken another major step in our mission to decarbonize the steel industry. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vale, one of the world’s leading mining companies, to explore innovative solutions for low-carbon steel production.

A collaboration for breakthrough solutions

This partnership aims to assess Vale’s advanced briquetting technology, which could transform the production of DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) and HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron). Together, we will evaluate key parameters for building our future plant in Fos-sur-Mer to produce direct reduction briquettes using Vale’s high-quality iron ore.

Decarbonizing steel production is a major challenge that requires innovative solutions—not only in technology but also in products and new business models. We are delighted to start this collaboration with Vale, a global leader, to assess its unique and cutting-edge briquetting technology.
— José Noldin, CEO of GravitHy

A Low-Carbon Plant Operational by 2027

Our first plant in Fos-sur-Mer, scheduled to begin construction in 2024, will be designed to produce 2 million tonnes per year of direct reduced iron using low-carbon hydrogen as the reducing agent. This process will drastically cut emissions compared to the traditional BF-BOF route (blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace).

With an investment of over €2 billion, this plant will be a cornerstone of Europe’s transition to sustainable steelmaking.

A game-changing technology

Vale recently announced successful tests of its new iron ore briquettes designed for direct reduction, which emit around 80% less CO₂ during production compared to conventional pellets. This innovation supports Vale’s commitment to reduce its Scope 3 net emissions by 15% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050.

Our shared vision: a sustainable steel industry

This agreement reflects our ambition to create a low-carbon industrial ecosystem by integrating cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships to meet the growing demand for green steel.

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