PyroGenesis Inc T.PYR

The ArcelorMittal PYR link -- yes, there may actually be one

[MidtownGuy]

Some haven't read the actual news, and/or are confusing two different things.

First, the news. ArcellorMittal announced that they are switching their existing Quebec pellet plant over to 100% DRI pellet production by 2025.
 
Here's one of mnay releases, but this from AM themselves:

https://corporate.arcelormittal.com/media/press-releases/arcelormittal-announces-cad-205-million-decarbonisation-investment-in-its-flagship-canadian-mining-operations-with-support-from-the-quebec-government
 
Now, these pellets themselves aren’t “reduced”, and they don't have anything to do with electric arc furnaces, which are used downstream in the actual steel making process at steel plants that use the DRI process instead of blast furnaces. Any reference to DRI plants in the various news releases is about ArcellorMittal's actual steel-making plants such as Dofasco in Hamilton, which are being retrofitted eventually with DRI electric arc steel making furnaces.

They are NOT adding electric arc furnaces to the pellet plants, because pelletization does not use electric arc furnaces. Those are only used in steel-making at steel plants, which is a totally different thing than pellet plants.

What they ARE doing at the pellet plant is adding a series of additional steps, including a floation system that helps reduce the amount of silica in the iron ore to create higher grade iron pellets for eventual use in DRI steel making downstream.

It's important to note that both types of pellets -- regular for blast furnace steel making, and pellets for DRI steel making -- require the induration process for which PYR has the patent on plasma torches.

The following graph outlines what changes will be made at ArcellorMittal's Quebec pellet plant. Notice both the existing and future process end with induration:

https://corporate-media.arcelormittal.com/media/vvshjqqh/cop26_arcelormittal_dr-pellets-2021_final.pdf


Here’s where this gets interesting and why it is the possible link to PYR:

The news releases said "The project will deliver a direct annual CO2e reduction of approximately 200,000 tonnes at AMMC’s Port-Cartier pellet plant, equivalent to over 20% of the pellet plant’s total annual CO2e emissions. This reduction in CO2e emissions will be achieved through a reduction in the energy required during the pelletising process."

Now, DRI pellet production is more intensive, not less, as there are additional steps, again as per the link above

https://corporate-media.arcelormittal.com/media/vvshjqqh/cop26_arcelormittal_dr-pellets-2021_final.pdf

So how would a "reduction in CO2e emissions” be achieved through a "reduction in the energy required during the pelletizing process" if the process has more steps?

Maybe they were being judicious here with the phrasing and “reduction in the energy required" means reduction in the TYPE of energy. AKA carbon emitting energy.

Final piece of puzzle...

The Quebec govt is involved in this deal, with an investment in the form of “…an electricity rebate of up to CAD$80 million".

So...
Arcellor’s Quebec pelletization plant is converting the entire plant over to a different process…
to make a higher grade pellet…
which requires adding more steps…
and they are doing so specifically to reduce carbon emissions at that plant…
via the reduction of CO2e during the process...
and the Quebec government’s contribution is to give them cheaper electricity.

All seems to add up to switching pelletization "energy" to electric, hence the electric rebate and the reduction of emissions.