BHP, China Baowu and Monash University form an industry knowledge centre

BHP (ASX:BHP), China Baowu and Monash University have formed an industry knowledge centre to accelerate the deployment of technology capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from steel production.

The industry knowledge centre will enable the real-world testing and assessment of carbon dioxide abatement technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the blast furnace route for steel production.

It will also facilitate the assessment of several potential CO2 abatement options and review funding applications from partner institutes in Australia and China.

BHP sales and marketing sustainability vice president Dr Rod Dukino said the industry knowledge centre is an important addition to the company’s portfolio.

“This is an important addition to our portfolio mix of research and industry partnerships aimed at developing technologies capable of reducing CO2 emissions from steel production,” he said.

“China Baowu is a world leading steelmaker, and these projects are important milestones following on from our joint memorandum of understanding in 2020 and preliminary studies.

“The industry knowledge centre will help link academia and industry partners in China and Australia to share knowledge, develop talent and support the pilot and plant-scale testing of potential technologies for reducing CO2 emissions from blast furnace steel production.”

BHP will be the main funding partner, providing US$8m (A$11.7m) while China Baowu will provide in-kind support for the initial phase of work which includes the piloting and plant-scale trials of potential technology.

Through its existing Monash Suzhou Research Institute, Monash University has been appointed as the administrator and will administer the virtual collaboration of the industry knowledge centre from their Australian and China campuses.

Further, a management committee comprising of representatives from all three parties will review proposals and funding to applicants from a network of partner institutes.

China Baowu’s low carbon metallurgy innovation center’s executive deputy director Dr Mao Xiaoming said the industry knowledge centre strengthens the company’s relationship with BHP and Monash University.

“The setting up of the industry knowledge centre with BHP and Monash University strengthens our longstanding relationship and establishes a model of joint industrial effort to promote technological innovation and a sustainable transition to a lower carbon world,” he said.

“As the largest steelmaker in the world, China Baowu aims to play an active role in working with our partners to identify and implement low carbon technologies to reduce the carbon emissions from the steelmaking value chain.”