PyroGenesis Provides Update on its Iron Ore Pelletization Torch Business Line - Seite 2

Client A and Client B (collectively, the “Clients”) are conducting these trials at full purchase cost to them, not as equipment loans or free trials. The names of the Clients – both multi-billion-dollar international producers of iron ore who are undertaking the testing of plasma torches to replace fossil fuel-burners in iron ore pellet baking furnace – have been kept confidential for competitive reasons.

“With the delivery of the four completed plasma torch systems to Client B, we now have PyroGenesis’ plasma torch systems in the hands of two of the largest, most influential companies in the global iron and steelmaking value chain,” said P. Peter Pascali, CEO and Chair of PyroGenesis. “Both companies have made it known publicly that reducing greenhouse gases in the upstream sections of the iron and steel industry is both imperative but proven to be challenging to find areas where improvements can be made; modification of the fossil-fuel burning furnaces is one of the only areas upstream where a meaningful impact can be made. While interim measures such as natural gas or hydrogen offer minimum improvement over diesel fuel, the limited impact on CO₂ emissions (an approximate 28% to 30%³ reduction in CO₂ from the existing fuel oil approach) dictates that these temporary measures must eventually give way to fully electric alternatives. Plasma torches – for which PyroGenesis owns the global patent for use in iron ore pelletization – provide just such a complete electric step towards these companies’ upstream decarbonization goals, hence the importance of these plasma torch trials for both Clients.”

Pelletization is the process in which iron ore is concentrated before shipment, thus significantly reducing the cost of transportation, and providing an essential feedstock for blast furnaces. In conventional technologies, the process heat is provided by fuel oil or natural gas burners (both environmentally damaging). The combustion of fossil fuels in the burners results in the production of GHG, mainly CO2. Plasma torches, by contrast, utilize renewable electricity and offer an environmentally attractive alternative to fossil fuel burners. As previously disclosed, PyroGenesis has the process patent to replace fossil fuel burners with PyroGenesis’ clean plasma torches in the iron ore pelletization industry, thereby reducing GHG emissions.