Alter Steel signs technology and equipment agreement with Danieli for $750 million Queensland steel mill project

Alter Steel has finalised its contract with Italian engineering firm Danieli to supply the technology and equipment for its $750 million steel mill in Pinkenba, Queensland, with the down payment now made to secure delivery.

When complete, the facility will produce 500,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel products annually to meet Queensland's growing construction demand using 100 per cent local scrap.

The mill will be the first steelmaking facility in Australia to deliver wire rod, hot-rolled mesh, spooled coil and bar directly from a single site, supporting faster delivery, reduced handling and streamlined fabrication.

Managing director Grant Johnston said the company undertook a deliberate process to ensure the technology selected was proven, commercially scalable and fit for Australia's future manufacturing needs.

Alter began reviewing global steelmaking technologies more than 18 months ago, conducting a detailed assessment of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers. Over the past six months, the company worked closely with Danieli on engineering, site preparation and securing essential service connections.

Alter selected Danieli's MIDA QLP with Digimelter for its compact layout, energy efficiency and global track record. The Mi.Da system has been deployed in 27 locations internationally, including in the US and Europe.

Built around a regional, product-focused model, Mi.Da eliminates billet reheating and cold storage, cutting energy use by up to 75 per cent compared to traditional methods. Its endless casting and rolling process turns scrap into finished product in under two hours.

The facility is designed for 100 per cent renewable energy compatibility and will emit just 0.37 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel, an 80 per cent reduction compared to traditional blast furnaces.

This will be the first greenfield steel mill built in Australia in over four decades, with practical completion targeted for late 2027.

Picture: supplied