The Western Australian (WA) state government announced a plan to purchase low-emission steel from local producers for use in infrastructure and government projects. The state has issued an expression of interest and intends to modify procurement rules to prioritize local steelmakers.

This plan aims to create confidence and assist the state’s emerging green iron industry. Currently, Green Steel of WA is the only approved project, with plans to begin construction in 2026 on an electric arc furnace (EAF) mini mill that will produce 450,000 tons of rebar annually by using scrap steel from 2027.

The state has previously focused on hydrogen- and natural gas-based direct reduction iron (DRI) and hot-briquetted iron (HBI) projects. The WA government previously invested A$75 million in the NeoSmelt green iron consortium to support a DRI plant.