Dear Colleagues,
Today, we are thrilled to announce the public launch of the Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative—a coalition of research, industry, governmental and community partners working to accelerate the transition of bedrock American industries to a new era of global leadership, domestic production, and reduced carbon emissions.
The announcement comes as MITI reaches a critical milestone in its pursuit of constructing a fully integrated one-gigawatt, hydrogen-based green iron plant in Northern Minnesota. NRRI, along with industry and governmental partners, were awarded funding to assess the prospective plant’s economic and technical feasibility. If successful, it would represent a path toward a secure, low-carbon domestic supply of iron for the U.S. steel industry, and its findings could be applied to other carbon-intensive industries.
Regarding recent announcements about pauses in federal federal funding — this project remains well-positioned given its bipartisan and industry support, and diversity of funding sources.
Read more in our press release and on our updated webpage.
Interested in how this initiative supports national security? Positions the U.S for global competitiveness in nationally-strategic industries? Enhances domestic energy production? We have you covered with a messaging toolkit right here.
With thanks for your ongoing support,
The MITI team
Minnesota Leads Innovation in Hydrogen-Based Green Iron and Steel, Strengthening Domestic Supply Chain and Global Edge
State identified as hub for low-emission, economically feasible steel production, securing federal funding to accelerate industry transformation
DULUTH, Minn. – A new venture has reached a critical milestone in the pursuit of constructing a first-of-its-kind, one-gigawatt hydrogen-based green iron plant.
The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), along with industry, community and governmental partners, was awarded $1.3 million by DOE’s Office of Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization (IEDO) to assess the prospective plant’s economic and technical feasibility. If successful, it would represent a path toward a secure, low-carbon domestic supply of iron for the U.S. steel industry, and its findings could be applied to other carbon-intensive industries.
The award marks the first project under the Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative (MITI) to transition bedrock American industries to a new era of global leadership. It launches a nationally unique collaboration between NRRI, the Great Plains Institute (GPI), West Central Research and Outreach Center, and a consortium of community-based organizations, government agencies, Tribal entities, organized labor, and industry partners.
“This green iron project will be the first of its kind, putting the U.S. on a trajectory to maintain global competitiveness as the demand for green iron and other critical materials grows,” said NRRI Executive Director Rolf Weberg. “This ambitious effort will create a secure domestic supply chain for steel production and decrease our dependence on international materials.”
Ida Rukavina, Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation added: “As the nation’s primary source of iron ore, the Mesabi Iron Range is poised for green iron innovations. Our region’s abundant natural resources have long been a driver of national prosperity, and we’re ready to lead in these critical industry transformations.”
The project has already received significant financial and in-kind support from the State of Minnesota, industry partners, and foundations. Extensive public engagement is also underway across Minnesota to collect input and align the project with the priorities of utilities, Tribes, communities, government agencies and union organizations.
The ultimate goal of MITI is to provide a national and global model of industrial transformation across four critical sectors -- iron/steel, cement/concrete, ammonia/fertilizers, and liquid fuels -- in the State of Minnesota. This involves co-located, cross-coupled industries that directly link renewable energy and electrolytic hydrogen to production, replacing fossil carbon-based fuels and feedstocks in industrial processes. This will increase domestic production of energy and materials, enhance global competitiveness of essential industries, support national security, reduce emissions, and create new jobs and skilled workforce development.
Images available in this MITI Press Kit
MITI Coordinating Agencies
- The Natural Resources Research Institute is a University of Minnesota system-wide applied research unit with a mission to deliver integrated research solutions that value our economy and environment for a sustainable and resilient future.
- The Great Plains Institute’s mission is to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment.
- The University of Minnesota’s West-Central Research and Outreach Center provides research-based innovation and outreach by vigorously pursuing opportunities for agricultural producers and rural citizens while identifying and responding to emerging trends, developing dynamic solutions, and offering active learning experiences.