Professor Marco Fiorentini, Director of the ARC Centre for Critical Resources for the Future (CCRF), was among invited guests at the official opening of POSCO’s Critical Minerals R&D Lab in Perth—an event marking a major step in global efforts to decarbonize the steel industry.
The ceremony, attended by senior representatives from the Korean government, Murdoch University, MRIWA, Curtin University, CSIRO, and other key stakeholders, celebrated the launch of POSCO’s Australian research hub. POSCO, one of the world’s largest steel producers, is accelerating its transition to green steel and is building a global network of R&D collaborations to support this goal.
Professor Fiorentini was recognised during the event for his role in fostering academic-industry partnerships and his leadership in critical minerals research.
“Being part of this launch was not only a privilege, but a valuable opportunity to represent the Centre in Critical Resources for the Future and explore potential future collaborations,” said Professor Fiorentini. “POSCO’s investment in Western Australia reflects both the strategic importance of this region and the value of Australia’s deep expertise in critical minerals and sustainable processing.”
While POSCO operates at a global scale, Fiorentini sees meaningful opportunities for research alignment, training programs, and targeted innovation partnerships—particularly in the fields of low-carbon metallurgy, mineral processing, and circular resource use.
The opening of POSCO’s lab signals growing international interest in Western Australia as a hub for critical minerals innovation and positions the ARC Centre for Critical Resources for the Future to play a key role in shaping the future of sustainable materials development.