HES International B.V. and Binding Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the feasibility of establishing an iron ore cold pelletizing facility at HES’s HBTR terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
HES is a 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 for the HBTR project to generate high-value iron ore CAPs (Cold Agglomerated Products). BSL’s cold agglomeration technology reportedly reduces energy consumption by as much as 80% and lowers CO₂ emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional high-temperature processes.
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.”
The first phase of the project involves the construction of a 400k tonnes-per-year capacity plant, with an expansion plan of increased capacity between 1 and 3 million metric tonnes per year.
The HBTR terminal, Europe’s largest dry bulk terminal, will host a pelletizing plant that supports HES’s long-term strategy to strengthen HBTR’s role as a key hub in the European steel supply chain. This initiative will expand the terminal’s ability to facilitate sustainable steel production and logistics.
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, ” he added.