Metso has provided the core process design and technology for Fortescue Ltd’s Christmas Creek Green Metal Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, where installation of Metso equipment began in September 2025. The project aims to demonstrate the production of high-purity green metal using renewable energy, applying hydrogen-based reduction and smelting technologies for downstream steel processing. It incorporates Metso’s Circored™ fluidized bed direct reduction process and an electric DRI Smelting Furnace to support low-emission steelmaking.

Fortescue CEO of Metals and Operations Dino Otranto said the project combines Metso’s Circored™ technology and DRI Smelting Furnace with Fortescue’s project delivery strengths to pioneer low-emission steelmaking pathways. The project’s initial output will exceed 1,500 metric tons annually, with studies underway for a commercial-scale facility.

Metso Vice President Attaul Ahmad said the hydrogen-based Circored™ process eliminates fossil reductants and produces highly metalized DRI suitable for electric smelting. Vice President Jyrki Makkonen noted that the electric smelting route is well-suited for utilizing Pilbara’s low- to medium-grade iron ores, adding that foundations and first equipment installation were completed in September.