Mitsubishi Corporation has announced its participation in a demonstration project for the development of a hydrogen-based ironmaking process at the voestalpine steelworks in Linz, Austria. Alongside partners Primetals Technologies, Rio Tinto, and voestalpine, the project aims to construct and operate an industrial-scale prototype plant that will utilize the HYFOR and Smelter technologies. The new process, expected to begin operations in mid-2027, is projected to have a capacity of 3 tons per hour and will produce hot metal and hot briquetted iron. HYFOR, a direct reduction technology for iron ore fines, eliminates the need for agglomeration steps and enables the use of various iron ores as feedstock. By utilizing hydrogen derived from renewable sources, the process aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in ironmaking. The Smelter, powered by renewable energy, will be crucial for melting and final reduction of direct reduced iron (DRI) to produce hot metal for the steelmaking plant. The project has received funding from the Austrian government and the European Union to support the investment and operation of the prototype plant. Once demonstrated, the HYFOR and Smelter technologies are expected to help decarbonize the steel industry and meet the increasing demand for low CO2 emission DRI, ultimately contributing to a decarbonized society.