Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a global metals and mining company, inked a contract with Primetals Technologies and Midrex Technologies to build a hot briquetted iron (HBI) plant in Rudny, Kazakhstan.

The project, with a total investment over US$1.2 billion, will use the MIDREX Flex® process, one of the most environmentally friendly ironmaking technologies, to produce 2 million tons of HBI annually. This modern, natural gas-based process cuts the carbon footprint by more than 50% compared to traditional blast furnace production.

The new plant will help Kazakhstan enter the global HBI market. The facility is designed for a seamless transition to use hydrogen as it becomes commercially viable.

The plant is scheduled for commissioning in 2029 and will create more than1,000 new jobs in the region.