The Australian government has committed up to AU$26 million to support clean technology firm Element Zero, backing a ground-breaking project that could transform Australia into a green iron processing superpower.
The grant will support Element Zero’s AU$53.65 million Green Iron Electroreduction Demonstration Module.
The project aims to demonstrate an innovative electrochemical ironmaking process powered entirely by renewable electricity.
Operating at relatively low temperatures (400°C to 450°C) and using molten salts, the technology converts raw iron ore into high-purity metallic iron without relying on coal or emitting direct carbon.
Element Zero currently operates a continuous 10-kilogram-per-day facility in Perth. The ARENA funding will scale operations first to a one-tonne-per-day pilot, before potentially expanding to 10 tonnes per day following a formal review.
The technology is designed to process abundant Australian haematite and magnetite ores, which form the backbone of the nation’s export market.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen noted Australia’s unique competitive edge in the emerging market of green iron.
“Australia has the iron ore the world needs and some of the best renewable energy resources in the world – the opportunity is to bring those advantages together and make more things here,” Bowen said.
Element Zero CEO Michael Masterman said that processing ore domestically could capture five to six times the export value compared to shipping raw materials overseas.
“Our goal is to combine Australian iron ore, renewable electricity and Australian-developed technology to produce green iron in Australia, rather than exporting our iron ore and leaving the value-adding to happen overseas,” Masterman said.
Longer term, Element Zero plans to roll out repeatable, modular plants across Western Australia’s Pilbara region, positioning the local resources sector at the forefront of global steel decarbonisation.
“Ironmaking is one of the most emissions-intensive parts of steel production, which is why investing in cleaner ways to make iron is such an important opportunity for Australian industry, particularly here in Western Australia,” added Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson.
