BHP will extend its research partnership with the University of Newcastle, committing $10M in funding to support ongoing studies into decarbonising the steelmaking process.
The extended research program at the university’s Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research (CIMR) will focus on low carbon iron and steelmaking using BHP’s iron ore and metallurgical coal.
In addition to BHP’s US $400M Climate Investment Program, the $10M will last five years and help train the next generation of PhD researchers and engineers.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky welcomed the funding extension and said the ongoing work at Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) would help drive the type of home-grown innovation needed for the world to decarbonise.
“With sustainability as a core focus, we are deeply committed to supporting research and innovation aimed at lowering our global carbon footprint,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“This continued partnership with BHP is a clear example of the university’s commitment to driving technological advancement through industry-engaged research, and we are pleased to continue with BHP’s legacy of innovation at our dedicated NIER precinct.
“A partnership of this kind – with both a rich history and a bright future – is evidence of our well-earned place as the No. 1 university in Australia for industry collaboration.”
BHP’s commitment comes amidst a global push to cut emissions in the steel industry and includes conventional blast furnace ironmaking alongside hydrogen and alternative low carbon technologies.
BHP Sales & Marketing Vice President Dr Rod Dukino said the type of research undertaken by NIER was vital in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Greenhouse gas emissions from steelmaking represent around 7-10 per cent of global total estimated emissions, and the industry remains one of the most difficult sectors in the world to abate,” Dr Dukino said.
“Research and innovation have a critical role to play in accelerating the industry’s transition to a low carbon future.
“The expanded research program with the University of Newcastle complements BHP’s existing partnerships with our key steelmaking customers in China, Japan and South Korea.”
Dukino revealed BHP was currently pursuing a long-term goal of net-zero Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Recognising the particular challenge of a net-zero pathway for this hard-to-abate sector, we are continuing to partner with customers and others in the steel value chain to seek to accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral steelmaking.”
The BHP company has a long history with the City of Newcastle and the University of Newcastle, dating back to the commencement of collaborative iron and steel research in 1957.
The 2010 establishment of the primary research facility, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), was another major step in BHP’s support for the local community and for steelmaking research.
Information source: The University of Newcastle