HIsmelt direct smelting technology, developed by Rio Tinto across four decades, eliminates conventional ironmaking preprocessing including sintering & coking. Following demonstration plant challenges in Australia, Shandong Molong successfully commercialized the technology in China from 2016, producing over 3 million metric tons pig iron. Eight additional HIsmelt plants are under construction in China, throughout feasibility studies underway for 10+ projects globally. The technology enables net-zero carbon ironmaking through biochar utilization, as explored in Saudi Arabian green iron initiatives, positioning HIsmelt for global proliferation.