Asked about the snag between Midrex and Iran, the minister replied, “It was Midrex’s, and it was resolved following a series of negotiations.”
Midrex Technologies, Inc. is an American international process technology company principally known for the MIDREX Process, which uses natural gas or synthesis gas to convert iron ore into direct reduced iron (DRI), a high quality ferrous charge material used in iron and steelmaking.
Jahangiri also stated that he was unaware of a steel reduction plan for Zob-e Ahan Company, Isfahan, adding even so, the Iranian company would not confront with any problems.
Pointing to the ministry’s plan to build an iron reduction plant in the neighboring country of Bahrain, he said the project is still in its primary phases.
“We are now looking for trustworthy investors”.
Earlier on September 29, Midrex Technologies Inc. claimed that Iran illegally copied its direct reduction technology in a steel mill with a production capacity of 800,000 tons a year in the southwestern province of Khuzestan while Jahangiri said that Japanese companies used Midrex’s technology for the Mobarakeh Steel Complex in Isfahan with an annual production volume of 600,000 tons of steel. Further, Midrex claimed Iranian engineers had copied the Mobarakeh plans in the Khuzestan mill.
Accordingly, Midrex called for signing an agreement with Iran on using its technology, saying otherwise it would file a complaint against Iranian companies for violation of copyright laws. The challenged technology was exclusive to the U.S. Company according to the Iranian minister. "Therefore, we are going to sign an agreement with them [Midrex] soon so that we may be able to officially use the technology in establishing direct reduction modules in Iran and abroad," he had then concluded.
ER/IS
END
MNA