Vale will participate in the China International Import Expo for the seventh consecutive year
On October 22, during an exclusive interview with reporters, a representative from Vale, a major player in the mining industry, revealed that the company is set to showcase a variety of innovative low-carbon solutions at the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo in Shanghai this November. Among the highlights will be several premium iron ore products, energy transition metals, innovative iron ore pellets, and a model of the world’s largest vessel equipped with a wind propulsion system.
Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Vale has been a regular exhibitor at the expo for all seven years, and this year it will present its innovative iron ore pellets, a product developed over nearly two decades. In addition to physical displays, the booth will feature interactive touchscreens designed to provide attendees with a more comprehensive understanding of this low-carbon solution.
The iron ore pellets are a direct feed product that can be used in direct reduction vertical furnace processes, producing green metal materials necessary for green steel production. They can also replace sintering and pelletizing in blast furnaces, potentially reducing carbon emissions in steel production by up to 10%.
Vale will also introduce its Tecnored technology and the Giant Hub—a low-carbon solution that uses biochar to replace metallurgical coal and coke, thereby aiding steelmakers in minimizing or eliminating carbon emissions during iron production. The Giant Hub integrates the production of iron ore pellets as feedstock for direct reduction processes to produce Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI). Compared to traditional blast furnace-converter methods, using natural gas for HBI production significantly cuts carbon emissions throughout the steel production chain.
In addition, Vale will present its high-quality iron ore pellet products, including IOCJ (Iron Ore Carajas), BRBF (Brazilian Blend Fines), and PFC1 (Premium Fine Concentrate). Known for their high iron content and low impurity levels, these products enhance productivity in the steel production process while generating less slag and emissions.
Another highlight of Vale’s exhibit will be a scale model of the “Sohar Max,” which is the world’s largest vessel equipped with a wind propulsion system, built to a 1:240 scale. The original ship, a Valemax bulk carrier, spans 362 meters in length and 65 meters in width, with a carrying capacity of 400,000 tons. It features five retractable sails that harness offshore wind energy to provide auxiliary thrust, improving energy efficiency by up to 6% and reducing carbon emissions by as much as 3,000 tons per ship each year. In 2021, Vale launched its “Sustainable Shipping Initiative,” aimed at reducing carbon emissions during iron ore transport by leveraging cutting-edge technology in its chartered fleet.
The “Sohar Max” is operated by the Omani shipping company Asyad and is primarily engaged in transporting iron ore between Brazil and China. The wing sail technology was developed by UK-based manufacturer Anemoi, while the modifications were completed by China’s SinoOcean Marine Engineering & Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
