Success in Iron Ore Reduction Using Microwave-based Metal Smelting/Mining Process Bench-scale Equipment

Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. (the 'Company') has successfully reduced iron ore in a demonstration test using its proprietary standard bench-scale equipment for metal smelting/mining processes utilizing microwaves. The Company intends to accelerate the establishment of this technology and seek partners for commercialization.

[Achievements] In December 2023, the Company announced that it had successfully reduced iron ore at a lab scale using its microwave technology platform, 'Green Mining-MX,' designed for mining process development. Following this, the Company conducted a demonstration test using its own rotary hearth furnace-type bench-scale equipment, successfully reducing approximately 15kg of iron ore. This marks the completion of bench-scale demonstration, a critical milestone toward practical implementation.

[Future Outlook] The Company will continue to move forward with necessary studies for practical implementation, including process condition optimization, quantification of energy efficiency and CO2 reduction effects, and verification of continuous operation. With a view to business expansion, it aims to build partnerships with a wide range of companies, including steel manufacturers, resource companies, and engineering firms. Through this development, the Company aims to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the steel industry.

[Background] Greenhouse gas emissions from the steel industry account for approximately 7–8% of global total in CO2 equivalent (2024). Domestically in Japan, the steel industry accounts for approximately 39% of industrial sector CO2 emissions and approximately 13% of the country's total emissions (FY2023). The currently dominant blast furnace method inevitably emits large amounts of CO2 during the reduction process using coal (coke), which is a major factor in environmental impact. Therefore, a fundamental shift in steelmaking processes is required to achieve carbon neutrality in the industry.

[Technical Features] Microwaves can directly heat target materials, and since iron ore has properties that allow it to easily absorb microwaves, this technology is expected to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, this technology can be applied to steelmaking processes using hydrogen or biomass as reducing agents, which is considered effective for achieving carbon neutrality in the steel industry. Meanwhile, scale-up has been a challenge for this technology, and the Company is leveraging its know-how in scaling up microwave chemical processes to work toward practical implementation.