Metso has announced an upgrade to its Grate Kiln pelletising technology, aiming to provide the international steel industry with the high-grade feedstock required for a low-carbon future.
The enhanced system is specifically engineered to produce premium-quality iron ore pellets that meet the stringent metallurgical requirements of direct reduced iron (DRI) and modern green steelmaking processes.
As the global steel sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, the move positions Metso at the forefront of the industry’s transition toward more sustainable processes.
Toby McCabe, Metso’s Product Manager for Pelletising and Green Steel, said the enhanced system gives plants increased adaptability.
“The Metso Grate Kiln system delivers exceptional plant flexibility with independent control of the grate, kiln, and cooler, allowing the processing of various ores and the use of solid and alternative fuels – including biomass and hydrogen – supported by proprietary burner technologies.
“The design ensures consistent, high pellet quality with superior physical and metallurgical properties suitable for both direct reduction applications and traditional blast furnace routes.”
Beyond fuel flexibility, the system integrates advanced digital solutions and heat recovery technology to lower the total cost of ownership.
Metso reports that these digital optimisations can slash energy consumption by several per cent while boosting overall pellet quality by more than 10 per cent.
As the original developer of the Grate Kiln process, Metso has installed more than 55 systems worldwide, representing a combined annual capacity exceeding 150 million tonnes.
By combining high cold crush strength with optimal porosity and reducibility, the new system aims to provide a reliable, high-performance solution for miners looking to add value to their ore while meeting the environmental standards of the next decade.
