May 19th – Rotterdam, The Netherlands: HES International B.V. (“HES”) and Binding Solutions Limited (“BSL”) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to assess the potential for a state-of-the-art iron ore cold pelletising plant at HES’s HBTR terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. HES is a leading European provider of bulk handling services for industrial customers across the continent. BSL is a technology company that has developed a patented and proprietary process for producing cold agglomerated pellets (“CAPs”) that can enable Green Steel production at scale.
The parties’ aim is that the project at HBTR will produce high value iron ore CAPs. Compared to traditional high-temperature processes, BSL’s cold agglomeration technology reduces energy requirements by up to 80% and cuts up to 70% of CO2 emissions, making it a key enabler for industries transitioning to greener production processes.
The envisaged first phase of the project involves the construction of a 400k tons per year capacity plant, with future expansions envisioned to increase capacity to between 1 and 3 million metric tons per year.
The HBTR terminal is the largest dry bulk terminal in Europe. The pelletising plant aligns with HES’s long-term vision to solidify HBTR’s position as an important hub in the European steel supply chain, enhancing its capacity to support sustainable steel production and logistics.
HES’s Chief Commercial Officer, Joop de Rooij, said:
“As we further develop HBTR into the steel terminal of Europe, this project represents a significant step in reinforcing our role as a catalyst for Europe’s transition to Green Steel”.
Russell Kaschula, Chief Operating Officer of Binding Solutions, stated:
“We’re excited to work with HES International to enable Green Steel production by supplying high quality iron ore pellets to meet growing demand. HBTR is the largest dry bulk terminal in Europe, providing us with the ideal location to serve European steel producers and, in partnership with HES International, deliver commercial, environmental and operational benefits along the steel production chain.”
CONTACT
HES International
Firas Ezzeddine
+31 614839070
F.Ezzeddine@hesinternational.eu
Binding Solutions
Andy Mills
+44 207 321 0000
bindingsolutions@aura-financial.com
ABOUT HES INTERNATIONAL
HES International is the leading European seaport infrastructure operator for dry and liquid bulk products. Our companies hold a unique independent position in the supply chain of bulk goods for a wide range of products providing first class access to Europe's deep draft terminals and excellent hinterland connectivity by barge, rail and truck. With 13 terminals in 4 countries at strategic located ports in Europe we are an important switch in the continuous delivery of essential building blocks for our everyday life needed to develop, sustain and improve the world around us. Our professional staff ensure that bulk commodities are safely stored, handled and processed 24/7 for customers from all corners of the globe. We have a strong ambition to further broaden our product portfolio and also want to respond optimally to the opportunities that the energy transition offers us.
HES International is headquartered in Rotterdam and has already been carefully handling bulk raw materials since 1908. Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5, and West Street Infrastructure Partners III, managed by the Goldman Sachs Asset Management Infrastructure business, each indirectly control 50% of the shares of HES International B.V. For more information, please visit www.hesinternational.eu.
ABOUT BINDING SOLUTIONS
Binding Solutions is a fast-growing technology company that has developed a patented process for significantly reducing carbon emissions from steel production. Our cold agglomerated pellets (CAPs) enable reductions of up to 80% in energy usage and 70% in CO2 emissions by replacing sinter and induration process that account for approximately 15% of the sector’s emissions. Using our cold agglomeration technology can also cut capital requirements by 86% vs indurated pellets and reduce process complexity, delivering commercial benefits to iron ore miners, pellet producers and steel makers.
BSL’s technology can also be deployed to monetise waste fines from metals production by converting them into cold agglomerated pellets that can be added back to the furnace.
BSL’s advanced Technology Centre provides full life cycle testing for clients from lab scale to furnace trial. We are able to work with a wide variety of ores and to simulate conditions in all types of production furnaces.